Some Cream And Sugar For That Coffey?

An excellent post on Paul Coffey, courtesy of Colby Cosh. It also raises an interesting argument about Tim Raines and Ricky Henderson, but I digress. For years upon years, I have heard the hockey orthodoxy that Bobby Orr was the greatest defenceman, indeed the greatest player, of all time. I never Orr saw play, so I have never openly commented on it, but in my heart I have always been a doubter. Call it youthful naivety, or the dedication of a homer, but without a doubt in my heart and mind, Wayne Gretzky is the greatest hockey player ever, and Paul Coffey is the best defenceman. In my mind, Coffey has never received the credit he is due. He has been a victim of playing on the Oilers during the early 80's--as if any defenceman could score 48 goals and gain 90 assists in a season-- as well as a victim of his journeyman-like status near the end of his career. Cosh has noted Coffey's importance to Team Canada, especially his play in 1984, but I think it should also be noted that his play in both Pitssburgh and Detroit helped raise those teams to the status of Stanley Cup powerhouse. He only won one in Pittsburgh, and didn't win any in Detroit, but I don't think it was a coincidence that the teams became contenders with him in the lineup, and were able to translate that into Cup victories after he had gone.

Here is a question, though, and I don't know if it has been covered in any msm coverage: Would Coffey's number be retired in Edmonton if Glen Sather was still in charge?

Actually, I have one more. Forgive me if I am wrong, but am I correct in thinking that no Oiler player has ever worn the numbers 99, 11, and 4 other than Gretzky, Messier and Lowe? And what about #17? I remember Shane Corson wearing #9, Cujo wearing #31 and Jason Arnott wearing #7, but have the other numbers ever been re-used? Obviously 99 wasn't, but what about #11 and #4?