hockey fans...POLL

[nwcove]

I'll keep it to the point, would have the " great one" been able to set the records he did.....in todays nhl? ( or would he be just another good player.... with the enforcers that gave him free reign on the ice gone?)

 

[Philster]

Re: hockey fans...POLL

No.

He changed the game. His style, presence and dominance brought on a new generation of players. Lindros did the same thing (in a lesser way), because he triggered the era of monster-cyborg players. For Lindros, the league reacted faster (there were big guys that were good but not getting chances. As teams added them, his fear factor was mitigated somewhat).

For the Great One, it would take darn near a generation to breed new players and develop them along his lines. Still, he always will have that certain something that made him see and sense the ice and future.

This is the dilemma when looking back on all greats who flipped their sports upside down. Wilt Chamberlain and Gretzky are very alike in that. Break records? No. Make mockery of records and standards? Yes. They did that.

Both would be great now... but they'd not be destroying and making mockeries of the records books. I believe Gretzky and Chamberlain were beyond great -- they were ludicrous in their time -- utterly ludicrous. Since they changed the game, and the game had to evolve to deal with them, they'd be playing in very different leagues now.

 

[nwcove]

Re: hockey fans...POLL

very well said philster. and i agree as far as the hockey goes ( bball....i cant even make an uneducated comment on!), but the game of hockey has changed...not sure if its for the better or worse. back in the days of gretzky, the stars were off limits for any real physical play...they /he could skate anywhere without a worry, now.....fourth line players have the same privelage, only its being able to take cheap shots at the guys who fill the rinks, its almost a farce! a journeyman player can injure a top ten guy.....get a 3 game suspension and a 10 grand fine. the top ten guy is out with a blown out knee/concussion etc, and the fourth liner plays on, giving his team a better shot in the playoffs for the cheap cost of 10 grand. bring the goons back!! lol

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: hockey fans...POLL

Would still have been great. (just my opinion though)

 

[oops!]

Re: hockey fans...POLL

If Wayne grew up in today's system......he would still be the great one.....his style would be different.....his game would be different... he would still set records.

But if you threw a set of skates on him right now...at his age..and placed him in the league as it is now.....he would still be a factor to deal with.
his puck smart sense.....and ability to know how the flow of the game goes.....dictates that he can foresee most plays before they materialise......for that fact alone.....in any era of hockey.... he would still be a dominant force

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: hockey fans...POLL

No, he would have never been able to set the records he did at the time.
Philster...you are right on many accounts...hey aren't you American?
He would still do very, very well in many respects and still be a top player. His vision of the ice is...was a gift, that never changes.
My mother-in-law (old...and old school) bristles at my comments that any of todays NHL teams would completely annhiliate any 'original 6' or 70's teams....including the Canadiens. I don't mean it in a bad way but there is no comparison in size, speed and skill....but it would be a complete 'time machine' wipe out.
just my two bits.
All Good
BP

 

[aspeck]

Re: hockey fans...POLL

I think he would still have been a great player, but he would not have lasted as long as he did ... kind of like Sid and what he is dealing with now. Too many goons gunning for him and the players are bigger and faster. You have to be as worried about hit avoidance as you are the puck. Not that there weren't ENFORCERS back then, but they were not goons.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: hockey fans...POLL

He was dynamite on ice. nuff said

 

[nwcove]

Re: hockey fans...POLL

He was dynamite on ice. nuff said

i agree, he was dynamite , but i do believe , in todays league, his fuse would get snuffed out, and he would just be a firecracker. long gone are the days where any player is off limits for a big hit....and wayne was definitely a guy that no one dared to touch.

 

[Philster]

Re: hockey fans...POLL

Yes, the American checks in again: The rinks seem to have shrunk. The players skills are more elevated. They're conditioned better, bred better and they compete against cyborg-freakazoids that force them to get even better, stronger and smarter.

There is no doubt Gretzky would be great now were he a youngblood right now. The distinction I make is that he would win scoring titles and break some records but not destroy them and make a mockery of them. His uncanny senses, vision and instincts are rare (cripes, he made Bernie Nichols a 72 goal scorer!. SAY WHAT?!!!). But would he be good for 200+ points in this league? No way.

One record, aside from the total points titles he posted with ludicrous cushions: The rare player to get to 50 goals in 50 games.... wow... maybe even do it in 49... or 48.... or 47.... or 46 ..... or

How about 39 games for Gretzky? UN-REAL.

Those types of records would be harder to come by. Again, I believe he'd be great, I just think the total impact would be softened a bit. The 'ridiculous' edge would be removed.
.

 

[nwcove]

Re: hockey fans...POLL

extremely well said Philster! ( but i do wish they would bring back the players.....the ones who didnt know how to tie their own skates, just to allow the stars of today the chance to play hockey....without the worry of some fourth line journeyman, ending their career.)