Edmonton Oilers

Bourque Picks Gretzky Over Lemieux: Why That Makes Sense

Ray Bourque saw Gretzky and Lemieux up close—and still says Wayne is the greatest. When peers speak, it might be time to listen.

by
Old Prof
April 21, 2026

Debates about the greatest player in hockey never really end, but when Ray Bourque — a guy who skated against the best — picks Wayne Gretzky, you probably have to listen. Bourque’s answer isn’t some knee-jerk take: it’s the view of a peer who saw both Gretzky and Mario Lemieux up close and knows exactly what separates greatness from brilliance.

Gretzky Put Up Huge Numbers During His NHL Career

Gretzky’s numbers are absurd. He owns the most NHL points by a country mile — more than 900 ahead of Jaromir Jagr. Even after Alex Ovechkin finally surpassed Gretzky’s goal mark in 2025, Gretzky’s overall footprint is still untouchable.

Interestingly, if Gretzky had only ever racked up assists and no goals at all, he’d still be the all-time leading scorer. That’s not luck — that’s dominance on a nightly basis.

Mario Belongs in the Best of All Time Conversation As Well

Then there’s Mario Lemieux, who belongs in every “best ever” conversation. His 1.88 points-per-game average is right up there with Gretzky’s 1.92, and you can’t ignore the “what if” surrounding Mario.

Cancer, injuries — he lost seasons of his prime. Imagine what his totals might’ve looked like with full health. Still, Bourque’s point — and it’s a good one — is about consistency and the kind of pressure a player puts on the game every shift.

Bourque Points Out a Key Difference Between Gretzky and Lemieux

Bourque’s quote nails it. When Mario’s switch was on, he was unbeatable. But it wasn’t always on. Gretzky? Bourque says his switch was always on. Every night. Every shift. That relentless motor meant Gretzky wasn’t just a highlight guy. He was a walking strategic advantage.

He created time and space, made teammates better, and routinely pulled off plays coaches told you were impossible. Guys would get lectured in practice for making a pass that ‘isn’t a Gretzky pass.” It seemed that only he somehow made those passes work.

Gretzky’s Career Was a Steady Blaze of Greatness

And that’s the subtle difference. Greatness is flashes of brilliance; Gretzky’s career was a decades-long steady blaze. He didn’t just rack up stats — he rewired how opponents had to defend, how teams structured offence, and what was even possible on the ice. Bourque’s respect comes from seeing that effect in real time: a player who didn’t need to be selfish to dominate, who lifted the game itself.

The debate will go on, and Mario’s peak was otherworldly. But Bourque’s vote for Gretzky makes perfect sense: relentless consistency, amazing vision, and the ability to make the impossible look routine. When you put those together across a career, you get a case that’s hard to beat.