Comments on: Is Chris Chelios the greatest U.S. hockey player ever?

By: mikeinindy

mikeinindy — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:41:47 +0000

Best American EVER??? Sorry! Very good, but not that good! Leech was better on defense. If I had to take just one to build a team around in his prime, I’d go with Lafontaine. Keep watching the game though, I can see Patrick Kane — when he is done — being the best ever.

By: stakex

stakex — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:39:53 +0000

Mike Modano was the best US forward, and Leetch is hands down the best US defensemen.

Hell, just look at Leetch’s stats. He had almost 100 more points then Chelios, and he did it with 400 less games. Chelios has a much better career +/-… but that was helped greatly by the fact he played on a Detroit team that few would aargue has been the best team in the NHL over the last 15 years. Leetch on the other hand played on a Rangers team that, aside from 1994 and 1997 was pretty awful… missing the playoffs from 98 through 04. Yet even while playing with one of the worst teams in the NHL during that time, Leetch still put up very respectable numbers.

Don’t get me wrong, Chelios is clearly one of the best US players of all time. However I think both Modano and Leetch were better, especially when you consider what they accomplished with the teams they were playing for.

By: michiganhockey11

michiganhockey11 — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:58:38 +0000

I loved what Chelios did for the Wings, but I gotta go with either Modano or Leetch.

By: dstars2797

dstars2797 — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:27:05 +0000

Chelios has my vote for one of the best US players. The Hockey Hall of Fame is the next step.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 02:56:35 +0000

Best U.S. hockey player? Yeah I can buy that. If not Cheli, then probably Modano.

By: sjsharksfan11

sjsharksfan11 — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:13:57 +0000

Couldn’t stand the guy but Mike Modano is hands down the greatest then followed by guys like Leetch, Roenick, Chelios, and heck the guy who mentioned Suter was pretty spot on. What an underrated player he was

By: atwatercrushesokoye

atwatercrushesokoye — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:54:12 +0000

Gary Suter is a VERY underrated player overall! I’m not saying he’s top 5 of American born players but take a look at his numbr from when he played with the Flames, in 8 full seasons he put up more than 60 points 6 times, more than 70 4 times, and had a high water mark of 91 points one year. He also won the Calder trophy.

Based on who the HHOF has been letting in, they should be considering Gary Suter, but they won’t because of his hits on Gretzky and Kariya.

By: mtm1321

mtm1321 — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:31:52 +0000

Chelios was a great hockey player. Best ever, I don’t know. If I had to pick the top US born players or dual citizens. This is how my top 15 looks.
(1)Brett Hull, Mike Modano, Phil Housley, Jeremy Roenick, Brian Leetch, Chris Chelios, Joe Mullen, Doug Weight, Pat Lafontaine, Neal Broten, Keith Tkachuck, Tony Amonte, Gary Sutter, John Leclaire, (15) Rod Langway.
Top 3 goalies (1) John Vanbiesbrouk, Tom Barraso, Mike Richter.
That’s how looks to me after 40 years of playing and being a fan of the best game around.

By: kiopta1

kiopta1 — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:21:57 +0000

Yeah don’t know if he is the best American ever but he is at least top 5. Congrats chelios and thanks for your time in Det.

By: 1wildfan1

1wildfan1 — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:43:47 +0000

Chelios is probably in the top 5, and for sure top 10. Best ever? That’s a stretch. Anyone playing a quarter century could pad stats like he did. I’d put at least Leetch and Modano ahead of him. Housley and Broten are right there too, but they get some points from me as MN boys.

By: mianfr

mianfr — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:30:35 +0000

Yeah, I find it really hard to go against Leetch. Everyone should go to his hockey reference page and check out his stats. He was unbelievable, and for a long stretch of time.