The recent release of The Athletic’s Top 99 NHL Players of All-Time list sparked intense discussion after Jaromir Jagr was placed fifth, narrowly ahead of Alex Ovechkin. This ranking, unveiled last year, reignited the Alex Ovechkin NHL ranking debate among analysts, given Jagr’s extended career and notable achievements.
Jagr’s 24-season tenure in the NHL earned him the No. 5 spot, surpassing Ovechkin and significantly outranking Connor McDavid, who was placed 16th. This positioning led to questions about whether Jagr’s career merits placing him above contemporary stars like Ovechkin, stirring a passionate debate.
Experts Dissect Jagr’s Rank Compared to Ovechkin
On TSN’s FanDuel Overdrive, commentators examined whether Jagr deserved his high ranking over Ovechkin. Bryan Hayes expressed clear skepticism:
“Jagr at 5? Jaromir Jagr is not the 5th greatest player ever.” —Bryan Hayes, Analyst
Jonas Siegel raised a pointed question about their comparative status:
“Is he a better player than Ovechkin?” —Jonas Siegel, Analyst
To which Hayes replied:
“No. I don’t think he was.” —Bryan Hayes, Analyst
Former NHL defenseman Jason Strudwick, who played alongside Jagr, shed light on his perspective by discussing Jagr’s remarkable scoring potential if uninterrupted.
“I played with him. He’s incredible. If you look at some of the time he missed, he went away to Russia for three years, before he came back again. You start putting in, 30 goals conservatively, that’s almost a 100 goals (more) than he has, and that puts him further up the list.” —Jason Strudwick, Former NHL Player
Siegel further supported the ranking by stating:
“His peak was higher than Ovechkin too.” —Jonas Siegel, Analyst
Jagr’s career statistics underscore his impact, with 766 goals, 1,921 points over 1,733 games, and multiple honors including two Stanley Cups, five Art Ross Trophies, three Ted Lindsay Awards, and one Hart Trophy.
Jason Strudwick on the Challenges of Ranking NHL Legends
Strudwick emphasized the emotional complexities involved in ranking hockey’s greatest players, noting how memorable moments often influence perceptions.
“When you’re talking about the best of the best, you have emotional moments. We remember this player did this or this player did that in a singular moment. … That’s how it becomes hard, because like remember when this guy did this or this guy did that,” —Jason Strudwick, Former NHL Player
He pointed out that the difficulty lies in evaluating a player’s entire career objectively, without allowing highlight reels or standout events to overshadow the broader legacy.
Implications of the Ongoing Ranking Debate
This debate reflects the broader challenge of comparing players from different eras and playing styles, especially when both Jagr and Ovechkin have left indelible marks on NHL history. As fans and analysts continue to discuss the relative merits of each player, their legacies remain a topic of fierce discussion, illustrating how rankings can shape perceptions within the sport.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Alex Ovechkin missing a tooth?
A. The Washington Capitals’ captain, Alexander Ovechkin, often loses teeth. However, he chooses not to have them repaired.