One of my favorite quotes: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
Ironic. Between sports, music, and, well, the world, it seems like all we do is compare. With each other, with ourselves, and so forth.
In sports, it seems like players couldn’t care less about where they’re ranked on all-time lists.
Seriously, whenever guys like Brady or Jordan are asked if they’re the best ever, they’d do anything to get to the next question – and past that stupid one.
When it comes to whom I believe is the most underrated player in sports history, he definitely doesn’t care.
But I do.
I remember watching NHL All-Star Weekend a few years ago, and the league named its Top 100 Players of All Time. Gretzky, Orr, Howe, Lemieux, Crosby, Ovechkin, and 94 others.
Sure, I’m a Bruins fan. I’ve never denied it when people call me a homer, but the fact that Patrice Bergeron didn’t make that list blew me away, and, for your entertainment, got me thinking.
How in the world?
Eddie Olczyk, a former player who broadcasted games for NBC, said it best: When you teach a kid how to play hockey, the first thing you say is, “Watch Patrice Bergeron.”
Let’s go through it. Before the puck is even dropped, he’s ahead of you. Statistically, he’s the best faceoff man of all time. Look no further than his 57.9 win percentage, and career best of 62.2 percent in 2021.
He even started over Sidney Crosby on Team Canada. Word on the street is Bergeron couldn’t be stopped at the faceoff dot in practice. I digress.
And that’s so valuable. From down-one situations in third periods to gaining possession on special teams, Bergy gets it done better than your favorite center.
Some people make the NHL because of faceoff ability alone. Now, imagine a player of that caliber recording 32 goals, 79 points, and a +/- of +38 in a single season. Those are his career bests, by the way.
Even the little things. He protects the puck perfectly along the boards, is an effective bumper on the power play, and every right winger who joins him and Marchand is better because of it.
Off the top of my head, players who have benefited from playing with Marchand and Bergeron: Reilly Smith, Mark Recchi, Anders Bjork, Danton Heinen, and, of course, Pastrnak among others.
Although good players, it’s not like these guys are superstars – but, in spurts, they were with Bergeron.
He’s clutch. I know we’re all thinking about the game-tying, and -winning goals against Toronto is game seven, but there are piles more. He has 81 career game-winning goals. Nine in overtime.
He’s tough. Against Chicago in the The Cup, Bergeron played with cracked ribs, torn cartilage, and a punctured lung.
What did he do in that series? He scored four goals on 20 shots and was eighth on the team in ice time.
Bergeron has eclipsed 1,000 points, has a Stanley Cup to his name (three appearances), and last month, won the Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward for the sixth time. When will they rename it the Bergeron Trophy?
I’m a nice guy, but a top-100 list without Bergeron is laughably stupid. In my opinion, he’s the most complete player of all time and, perhaps, the perfect hockey player.
He’s top 25, minimum.
