The debate about the greatest team of all time

[sw61776]

Something to do in the midst of no hockey:

NHL.com wants to settle it.

We've selected 32 teams and seeded them into a bracketed tournament. Check out the brackets and see if you can guess which team will be crowned the best of all-time.

The debates have raged for decades and will, as long as there's a Stanley Cup to be won, continue into the distant future. NHL.com is doing its part to fuel the arguments with the Quest for the Best tournament.

Were the 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers the greatest team of all-time? Were they actually good enough to beat, say, the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens? How would Rocket Richard fare against a modern-era goaltender such as Patrick Roy?

In the past, we could only speculate. But now, thanks to the benefits of science and one of NHL.com's fantasy hockey partners -- WhatIfSports -- we're going to try and settle this debate.

We've selected 32 great teams. Most of them are Stanley Cup winners -- with the exceptions being the 1929-30 Boston Bruins, 1966-67 Chicago Blackhawks, 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins and the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings.

The tournament is seeded in a 1-32 format and distributed into regions -- the Prince of Wales and Clarence Campbell conferences. Each region has two groups and each matchup represents a seven-game series.

The 1955-56 Montreal Canadiens are the top seed in the tournament. Second through fourth are the 1976-77 Canadiens, the '81-82 New York Islanders and the '83-84 Edmonton Oilers. Each of these four teams is the top seed in its respective division and each will be expected to advance to the final four. It's your job to decide if they'll make it!

Print out the brackets. Pass them around to your friends, family, co-workers. Start your own pool. NHL.com will play out each series and issue a game report on a series-by-series basis leading all the way to the big finale.

Fans can vote in daily polls on NHL.com's homepage.

First-round matchups

1955-56 Montreal Canadiens (#1) vs. 1925-26 Montreal Maroons (#32) -- The Maroons lost the fight for control over the city of Montreal and eventually folded. Can they upset the No. 1 seed in the tournament? The 1955-56 Habs went 45-15-10 in a 70-game season. Jean Beliveau scored 88 points, including 57 goals in 70 games to lead the League. Maurice Richard and Bert Olmstead finished third and fourth in the scoring race. Boom-Boom Geoffrion notched 29 goals in 59 games.

The 1925-26 Maroons won the Cup that year after going 20-11-5 during the regular season. They had the second-best record in the League. Nels Stewart paced the Maroons and the NHL with 34 goals and 42 points in 36 games.

1976-77 Montreal Canadiens (#2) vs. 1926-27 Ottawa Senators (#31) -- Part of a four-year dynasty, this Canadiens team boasted the likes of Guy Lafleur and Steve Shutt. Larry Robinson anchored a rock-solid backline. The Habs lost eight games all season, including only one at The Forum.

The 1926-27 Senators finished with a 30-10-4 regular season record. They did not place a scorer among the League's Top 10. What they lacked in scoring, they made up for with guts in players like King Clancy, Frank Finnigan and Hooley Smith. They squeaked by Boston in a tightly contested Cup Final. Can they handle the Flying Frenchmen?

1981-82 New York Islanders (#3) vs. 1927-28 New York Rangers (#30) -- The Battle of New York continues with this rather odd chapter. The chances of these teams meeting in real life: Zippo, but that's the beauty of this tournament.

The Islanders' dynasty could play it anyway they wanted. You wanted rough? No problem with Clark Gillies and Bobby Nystrom. You wanted firewagon hockey? Better find a way to stop Bryan Trottier and Mike Bossy. Oh, and they had a money goalie in Billy Smith and a game-changing defenseman in Denis Potvin, too.

The Blueshirts won their first Cup during the 1927-28 campaign. They struggled during the regular season going 19-16-9. Frank Boucher finished third in League scoring with 35 points in 44 games. Bun and Bill Cook gave the Rangers a formidable one-two punch as they captured the Cup in five games against the Maroons.

1983-84 Edmonton Oilers (#4) vs. 1931-32 Toronto Maple Leafs (#29) -- It took Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey and Grant Fuhr to roadblock the Islanders' "Drive for Five". These Oilers capped the Islanders' dynasty and started one of their own. But, the Leafs were tough, featuring "The Kid Line" of Busher Jackson, Joe Primeau and Charlie Conacher. The trio combined for 75 goals and 151 points in 48 games.

Nice.

But, then you consider that Gretzky scored 208 points and Jari Kurri potted 135 and unless the Leafs turn the net backwards, it's going to be awfully tough for "The Kid Line" to top The Great One.

1951-52 Detroit Red Wings (#5) vs. 1988-89 Calgary Flames (#28) -- Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay led the League in scoring with 86 and 69 points, respectively. The Wings cruised through the regular season with a 44-14-12 record. The Wings had captured the Cup in the 1949-50 season and this was their second Cup in three years. They would go on to win four in six years.

In comparison, the 1988-89 Flames were one-Cup wonders, beating the Montreal Canadiens. The Flames might've achieved a greater place in history if not for their Alberta rivals in Edmonton. As it was, this Flames team was a hulking squad that could hit and skate. Joe Mullen led them with 110-points, but Lanny McDonald was the heart and soul of this club.

1971-72 Boston Bruins (#6) vs. 1999-2000 New Jersey Devils (#27) -- The 1971-72 Bruins were a muscular bunch that could beat you in the alley or on the scoreboard. They went 54-13-11 during the season. Phil Esposito and defenseman Bobby Orr topped the scoring charts with 133 and 117 points, respectively.

The 1999-2000 version of the New Jersey Devils was arguably the best of all their Cup winners. Backstopped by Martin Brodeur in goal and Scott Stevens on the blue line, the Devils have the physical presence and goaltending to upend the Bruins. But where will the goals come from? New Jersey has never had a 100-point scorer in the club's history.

How will that stack up vs. Espo and Orr? Perhaps one of the famous bumper stickers of the era will best describe how this series is likely to go -- "Jesus Saves, But Espo Scores on the Rebound."

1947-48 Toronto Maple Leafs (#7) vs. 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings (#26) -- The scoring race was tightly contested during the 1947-48 season. The Leafs picked up Max Bentley in an earth-shattering trade with Chicago. Toronto boasted three scorers among the Top 10 with Bentley, Bud Poile and Syl Apps leading the charge.

The modern Red Wings marauded through the regular season with a 62-13-7 record. Sergei Fedorov scored 107 points, but the Wings were stopped cold in the playoffs by their archrivals, the Colorado Avalanche. The Motor City revival was delayed for a season.

1938-39 Boston Bruins (#8) vs. 1998-99 Dallas Stars (#25) -- The first Boston-based Cup winner, this club was an offensive powerhouse for its time, dominating the NHL with a 36-10-2 regular season record. The "Kraut Line" of Milt Schmidt, Woody Dumart and Bobby Bauer combined for 42 goals. Bill Cowley led the team with 42 points in 38 games.

The Stars were no slouches, either. With a 51-19-12 record, the Stars were a combination of team play, timely goal scoring from Brett Hull and clutch goaltending by Eddie Belfour. They bested Buffalo in a controversial Final. How will they handle these Bruins?

1950-51 Toronto Maple Leafs (#9) vs. 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins (#24) -- The 1950-51 Leafs broke up a Red Wings dynasty attempt. They finished second this season to the Wings with a 41-16-13 record. In the Finals, they beat the Canadiens to win it all. Max Bentley finished third overall with 62 points in 67 games. Ted Kenney wasn't far behind with 61.

But this Maple Leafs team was given a higher ranking than this Pittsburgh team because they won a Cup and Pittsburgh didn't.

Consider that these Penguins were upset by the Islanders in the second round of the playoffs after going 56-21-7 during the season. Mario Lemieux scored 160 points in 60 games -- an average of 2.6 points per game. Kevin Stevens, Rick Tocchet and Ron Francis all scored 100 points or more and Jaromir Jagr ended with 94.

If you want firepower, this Penguins team stacks up with any in the tournament. It's one of the reasons they were added to the mix despite not winning the Cup.

1943-44 Montreal Canadiens (#10) vs. 1973-74 Philadelphia Flyers (#23) -- Dynasties were hard to come by at this point in the NHL's history, but this team was one of Montreal's better entries. They topped out the season with a 38-5-7 record. Elmer Lach poured in 72 points in 48 games, an average of 1.5 points per game. That was big-time production back in those days.

But it is highly unlikely that the '43-'44 Canadiens team ever faced a team like the 1973-74 Philadelphia Flyers. "The Broad Street Bullies" were renowned for their toughness. They could play goal, they could score and they were the kings of the penalty box.

Bobby Clarke was the team's best offensive threat with 87 points in 77 games. Bernie Parent starred in 73 games and allowed 1.89 goals against. He had 12 shutouts as the Flyers became the first expansion team to win the Cup.

1940-41 Boston Bruins (#11) vs. 1967-68 Montreal Canadiens (#22) -- With the Kraut Line still a force, this Bruins club dominated the NHL like no other, going 27-8-13. Bill Cowley led the League with 62 points while Eddie Wiseman, Bobby Bauer, Roy Conacher and Milt Schmidt all finished in the Top 12 in scoring.

The 1967-68 Habs had the distinction of winning the first post-expansion Cup. They cruised to a 42-22-10 record without placing a scorer among the Top 10. Jean Beliveau recorded 68 points in 59 games to lead the team in scoring. Gump Worsley and Rogie Vachon split the goaltending chores, however "the Gumper" boasted a 1.96 goals-against and six shutouts.

1929-30 Boston Bruins (#12) vs. 1966-67 Chicago Blackhawks (#21) -- This Bruins club lost the Cup to Montreal, but how can you ignore a team that went 38-5-1 during the season? Cooney Weiland scored 73 points in 44 games and notched 43 goals. We decided to give this team a high ranking and a shot at the glory they missed.

The Hawks, however, will be a formidable opponent. They finished atop the final Original Six season in NHL history with a 41-17-12 record. Stan Mikita led all scorers with 97 points in 70 games while Bobby Hull was second with 80 points in 66 games. Phil Esposito's 61 points give the Hawks some extra punch. Will this tournament serve as vindication for a great Hawks team that fell short?

1954-55 Detroit Red Wings (#13) vs. 1993-94 New York Rangers (#20) -- Gordie Howe is arguably the greatest player in NHL history. Some say Mark Messier is the second coming of Howe. Each of them could score, skate, hit and, most important, lead.

Howe helped the Wings to their second straight Cup with 62 points in 64 games. The unheralded Dutch Reibel led the Wings with 66 points in 70 games.

But how will these Wings match up with Messier, Glenn Anderson and Adam Graves? Consider that the Rangers' top scorer that year was defenseman Sergei Zubov with 89 points in 78 games. The Rangers survived a pair of Game 7's against New Jersey in the Eastern Conference Finals and again in the Cup Final vs. Vancouver.

1957-58 Montreal Canadiens (#14) vs. 1995-96 Colorado Avalanche (#19) -- The Avalanche, a year removed from Quebec City, moved to Denver and captured the franchise's first Cup. In doing so, they had to defeat a Detroit team that had won 62 games during the regular season.

The 1957-58 Canadiens went 43-17-10. Dickie Moore scored 84 points to lead the League while Henri Richard was second with 80 points. This was the second Cup win in a five-year dynasty run for the Habs.

Too close to call? We'll see if Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg have any of their patented magic reserved for this tourney.

1959-60 Montreal Canadiens (#15) vs. 2000-2001 Colorado Avalanche (#18) -- Will Patrick Roy comeback to haunt the Canadiens yet again? Colorado rallied back from a 3-2 deficit in the 2001 Cup Finals to beat New Jersey in seven games. It was Roy's last Cup, but Joe Sakic was still at his best, scoring 118 points that season.

The Canadiens, meanwhile, were no slouches either. They went 40-18-12 that season to finish first overall. Jean Beliveau was third overall in scoring with 74 points in 60 games while Henri Richard and Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion also managed better than 70 points in 70 games.

1962-63 Toronto Maple Leafs (#16) vs. 2001-2002 Detroit Red Wings (#15) -- The 1962-63 Leafs beat the Blackhawks by one point in the regular season standings and went on to beat the Wings in the Cup Final. Frank Mahovlich scored 73 points in 67 games. Dave Keon and Red Kelly each scored better than 20 goals. But this Leafs team was by no means an offensive powerhouse. It was balanced.

The 2001-2002 Red Wings, with Dominik Hasek in net, will try to exact revenge for Red Wing alumni. Igor Larionov is an aging veteran prone to scoring key goals. Brett Hull, Sergei Fedorov, Steve Yzerman and the young, energetic Pavel Datsyuk will give the Leafs all they can handle.

Brackets for quest for the best in ADOBE.

NHL.com

[Don]

Where are the 2000 New Jersey Devils?

We had Alexander Mogilny on our THIRD FRICKIN' LINE!!!

Oh, okay... I just checked and we're there. We play Bobby Orr's Bruins in the first round.

[Don]

Oh, I thought they were going to computer simulate this.... from the sounds of it, this is a popularity contest.

Bobby Orr vs New Jersey Devils.

Who wins that one in a popularity contest?

[CRASHER]

funny how our "best" of the 3 Cup winning teams is looked on with the least favor compared to the other two Cup winning teams... the 99-2000 run was a great (but mentally exhausting one... 111 recaps in A SEASON ) but it just didn't have that same magic 95 and 2003 did.. maybe it's the coming out of nowhere magic feeling...

[insanity_gallops]

Don, I think they are computer simulating it... the brackets are just for entertainment, like filling out your own NCAA bracket.

I could be mistaken though, I wasn't really paying attention.

[Christopher_watts31_ls]

They are using the WhatIfSports.com simulator

[NJDevs4978]

My personal pick for greatest team is the '76-77 Canadiens. Best record of all-time (60-8-12) and they had no weaknesses, they had scoring on multiple lines, they had the big three on D, Dryden in net and Bowman as the coach.

The WhatIf sports thing has its drawbacks, it was posted here a while back. They give the top line players 26 minutes and the bottom liners like zero. BUT I ran a series between the aformentioned Canadiens team and one of the Oilers teams (I think '84-85), and it turned out to be a seven-game series, decided by a 10-9 finale - Canadiens winning, so it was semi-realistic I suppose.

[aylbert]

If we win will we be blamed for ruining the tournament because of our boring yet effective trap that no other team in the world uses?

[Rock]

Check out the 1955-56 Montreal Canadians team, I believe ONLY 2 players are NOT in the Hockey Hall of Fame. As I've posted in the past, this is the team they changed the rule for of serving a full two minutes on a minor penalty, because the Habs scored too many times multiple goals on a single minor!

[NJDevs4978]

Of the starting lineup or total? Guess they agreed with you giving them the #1 seed.

[Rock]

Of the starting lineup or total?

Edited November 10, 2004 by Rock

[Rock]

OK it's not as "good" as I remembered it was 12 10 players 2 executives.

Here they are in alphabetical order:

John Beliveau C

Butch Bouchard D

Boom Boom Geoffreon RW

Doug Harvey D

Tom Johnson D

Dickie Moore RW

Murray Bert Olmstead LW

Jacques Plante G

Sam Pollock Personell Director

Henri Richard C

Maurice Richard C

Frank Selke President

The man leaving the penalty box after 1 goal was scored was put into effect the 1956-1957 season.

[bruins4777]

Check out the 1955-56 Montreal Canadians team, I believe ONLY 2 players are NOT in the Hockey Hall of Fame.  As I've posted in the past, this is the team they changed the rule for of serving a full two minutes on a minor penalty, because the Habs scored too many times multiple goals on a single minor!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rock beat me too it

[Rock]

OK it's not as "good" as I remembered it was 12 10 players 2 executives.

Here they are in alphabetical order:

John Beliveau C

Butch Bouchard D

Boom Boom Geoffreon RW

Doug Harvey D

Tom Johnson D

Dickie Moore RW

Murray Bert Olmstead LW

Jacques Plante G

Sam Pollock Personell Director

Henri Richard C

Maurice Richard C

Frank Selke President

The man leaving the penalty box after 1 goal was scored was put into effect the 1956-1957 season.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Toe Blake was the coach but he was in the HHoF as a player so that's how I missed him originally.

So 13 members of the 1955-1956 Montreal Canadians are in the HHoF that's probably the number I heard, but didn't realize 3 were the coach, Director of player Personell, and the President.