The Greatest Sporting Event in History

[Will]

Can't believe you are mentioning Tremblay or Cheevers but make no mention of freakin' Bobby Orr being unable to suit up for Canada in 72 (IMO they win the series handily i - maybe 8 straight - if Orr was there in his prime) ; Orr was arguably the greatest hockey talent ever - he played basically on one leg for Canada in 76 and was the Canada Cup MVP on a team Canada that was (arguably) quite a bit better than the 72 squad, and is considered by some (myself included) to be the best hockey team ever.

I might put the '87 team as the best ever.

[OV Argo]

I might put the '87 team as the best ever.

Yeah, well - Gretzky & Lemieux were certainly an awesome 1-2 punch for the offence on that team; BUT - i have to disagree - the 76 team just had wayyyyy more overall talent/depth; and especially on defence - Orr, Potvin, plus the Montreal big 3 (Robinson, Savard, Lapointe).

I was around to watch (live on TV) all 3 of those teams (72, 767, 87) play every game in those series'. Great hockey; I wonder if the upcoming tournament can produce some comparable great hockey ?

[Argoknot]

Yeah, well - Gretzky & Lemieux were certainly an awesome 1-2 punch for the offence on that team; BUT - i have to disagree - the 76 team just had wayyyyy more overall talent/depth; and especially on defence - Orr, Potvin, plus the Montreal big 3 (Robinson, Savard, Lapointe)

Yup. By the time 87 came around we had learned how to play the Russians and that included the use of role players who could specialize. In 76 the stars were still playing the part of role players, Darryl Sittler, who was starting to come into his own wasn't sure he'd even make the team and expected to be a role player.

[Argo57]

Yup. By the time 87 came around we had learned how to play the Russians and that included the use of role players who could specialize. In 76 the stars were still playing the part of role players, Darryl Sittler, who was starting to come into his own wasn't sure he'd even make the team and expected to be a role player.

We went and saw the final "Red White" team Canada selection game for the 76 Canada Cup (at the Montreal forum), what a thrill.
The 87 team was impressive however the overall depth and quality of that roster was off the charts.
Loved seeing another Maple Leaf (Sittler) score the big goal as Henderson had done 4 years earlier.

[ArgoRavi]

Yeah, well - Gretzky & Lemieux were certainly an awesome 1-2 punch for the offence on that team; BUT - i have to disagree - the 76 team just had wayyyyy more overall talent/depth; and especially on defence - Orr, Potvin, plus the Montreal big 3 (Robinson, Savard, Lapointe).

I was around to watch (live on TV) all 3 of those teams (72, 767, 87) play every game in those series'. Great hockey; I wonder if the upcoming tournament can produce some comparable great hockey ?

I am not old enough to remember '72 but I agree with OV that the '76 teams was the best one ever for the reasons he has provided. Rogie Vachon was phenomenal in goal too and two Maple Leafs, Darryl Sittler and Lanny McDonald played pivotal roles.