Penguins' Mario Lemieux to retire... Again

[niss]

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Lemieux also did not have Jarri Kurri and Messier on his line for years.

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This is absolutely true. Lemieux turned Rob Brown into a scoring machine. ROB BROWN.

That just about says it all.

[OneChipWarrior]

Just like niss said, Lemeiux has the ungodly ability to make everyone around him play beyond their talent.

[Dynasty]

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I would agreed with this, one can arguee either way but overall think Lemieux may have been a more gifted goal scorer and Gretzky a better passer.

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People sometimes forget what a prolific goal scorer Gretzky was at the start of his NHL career.


Most goals, single season

1 Wayne Gretzky, Edm 1981-82 92
2 Wayne Gretzky, Edm 1983-84 87
3 Brett Hull, St.L 1990-91 86
<font color="blue">4 Mario Lemieux, Pit 1988-89 85 </font>
5 Alexander Mogilny, Buf 1992-93 76
5 Phil Esposito, Bos 1970-71 76
5 Teemu Selanne, Win 1992-93 76
8 Wayne Gretzky, Edm 1984-85 73
9 Brett Hull, St.L 1989-90 72
10 Jari Kurri, Edm 1984-85 71
10 Wayne Gretzky, Edm 1982-83 71
12 Brett Hull, St.L 1991-92 70
<font color="blue">12 Mario Lemieux, Pit 1987-88 70 </font>
12 Bernie Nicholls, LA 1988-89 70
<font color="blue">15 Mario Lemieux, Pit 1992-93 69 </font>
<font color="blue">15 Mario Lemieux, Pit 1995-96 69 </font>
15 Mike Bossy, NYI 1978-79 69
18 Phil Esposito, Bos 1973-74 68
18 Jari Kurri, Edm 1985-86 68
18 Mike Bossy, NYI 1980-81 79 68

[Wes Mantooth]

Mario Lemieux, 0.754 goals per game
Wayne Gretzky, 0.601 goals per game

[skp]

Messier was not on 99's line. Both were centers.

Grains of sand separate 99 and 66 in terms of greatness. But I don't buy the argument that 99 had good linemates while 66 didn't.

In his first 2 years in the league, Gretz had BJ MacDonald and Brett Callighen as linemates. Not exactly household names yet Gretz got 139 points in his rookie year and then set a new record with 164 points in year 2. When he got traded to LA in 1988, he turned Bernie Nicholls into a 70 goal scorer and then took the hapless Kings to the final in 1994.

Lemieux of course did similar great things. In his early years, he made Rob Brown look like a player. Heck, even Terry Ruskowski looked good on Mario's wing. But later on, Mario too benefitted from great teammates just like Gretzky. In 1991 (when the Pens won their first cup), the Pens had several star players including Jagr, Stevens, Coffey, Barrasso etc.

I would put Gretzky slightly ahead based on career longevity, leadership, and consistency of effort.

edit: It was 1993 when the Kings played the Habs in the final. 1994 saw Messier's Rangers beating the Canucks in game 7. I remember that night well as I unwittingly walked into a riot on Robson street in Vancouver following the game.