Who's better: Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux?

I've always considered Super Mario to be Gretzky's equal, give or take a slight edge to one or the other. Gretzky was absolutely sensational as a player. His numbers were unreal. However, so were the talent laden Oilers teams he played with. Remember, the Oilers won a Stanley Cup after they traded Wayne to the Kings. Gretzky had the fortune of never being seriously injured during his long career, whereas Lemieux had serious back problems, and cancer during his. Still, which one is better in your opinion, or are they each the others equal?


Stats central:

Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky NHL & WHA Statistics | Hockey-Reference.com


Mario Lemieux

Mario Lemieux NHL & WHA Statistics | Hockey-Reference.com

Alex Ovechkin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JfLnqg8-8I&feature=related

Between Gretzky and Lemieux, I think Lemieux was better. That's not to say he was surrounded by slouches though. Ron Francis and Jaromir Jagr were damned good company.

As for Ovie, he's my pick for the best in this era. Great shooter, instinctive, energetic, can hit like a train, and throws a little flash in there. I have no problem with it. After years of quiet Russian guys still stuck in that Soviet submissive mentality, it's good to see some personality coming from the Motherland. If he can keep it up for another ten years or so, I'd definitely be happy to discuss his status as the GOAT.

Orr.

Between those 2 tho I give the slight edge to The Great One.

Orr for sure.

Gretzky over Mario. Wayne took a bad Kings team on his back and took them to the Cup just in case anyone says look at the talent he had on Edmonton.

HarkDawg said:

Alex Ovechkin

YouTube - Alexander Ovechkin - Phenomenem

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Smoke another one.

If I had the chance to pick either one in their absolute prime for my team I would take Lemieux first and Messier second and not lose sleep over it.

While on the subject, I think Marcel Dionne is the most highly underrated player of all time.

Patriot Missile said:

Orr for sure.

Gretzky over Mario. Wayne took a bad Kings team on his back and took them to the Cup just in case anyone says look at the talent he had on Edmonton.

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Really?
Luc Robitaille; Jari Kurri; Tony Granato; Rob Blake; Paul Coffey; Tomas Sandstrom; Alexei Zhitnik; Marty McSorley say hello.