[skp]

Stevie Y retired? Really?...I didn't catch that.

Another great to pack it in this year is the Devils' Scott Stevens. No one happier than Eric Lindros to hear that news.

Top 3 Messier highlights:

1. 1984 Stanley Cup finals - Oilers vs. Islanders. Game 3. He scored an absolutely electrifying goal after deking out the defenceman (Gord Dineen?) and firing a wrist shot past Billy Smith who until that time had the Oilers' number. The Moose changed the momentum in that series with his goal. It made the Oilers believe that they could beat the Isles who were trying to win the cup for the 5th straight year. Looking back, it was THE goal that spawned the Oilers dynasty over the 80s. I was at the Northlands Colisseum in Edmonton to see the Messier goal and inded the Oilers' glory years throughout that decade. There will never be a more exciting team in hockey (if not in all of sports).

2. 1984 Canada Cup - The vicious elbow he dished out to the Russian player Kovin. He again changed the complexion of the whole tourney with that one hit. The Russians were playing scared hockey after that incident. I don't think Kovin ever played again at a high level. Messier was one tough and mean sunavabiatch.

3. 1994 Rangers - Devils semifinals. Game 6 in New Jersey with the Rangers needing a win to stave off elimination. Messier - in Namath style - guarantees a Rangers win. He then delivers by scoring a hat trick in the 3rd period. The Rangers then go on to beat the Vancouver Canucks - damn - in the finals which was another 7 game series.

Great career and a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame.