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Hockey fans: question for you

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gamecockcat

Heisman
Oct 29, 2004
10,524
13,501
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A friend of mine who has been a huge hockey fan for 50 years and I were talking about the Stanley Cup Final and how athletic the Avs are. He stated emphatically that Gretzky couldn't play in today's NHL. Not athletic enough.

My impression of Gretzky was sort of like Larry Bird: not the most athletic guy playing but he just had the knack of being in the right place, taking the right shot, making the right pass. Not a hockey follower so thought I'd ask the board.

Is my friend right about Gretzky or could he still be The Great One in today's game?
 
UKdondee

UKdondee

Redshirt
Feb 7, 2015
33
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gamecockcat said:
A friend of mine who has been a huge hockey fan for 50 years and I were talking about the Stanley Cup Final and how athletic the Avs are. He stated emphatically that Gretzky couldn't play in today's NHL. Not athletic enough.

My impression of Gretzky was sort of like Larry Bird: not the most athletic guy playing but he just had the knack of being in the right place, taking the right shot, making the right pass. Not a hockey follower so thought I'd ask the board.

Is my friend right about Gretzky or could he still be The Great One in today's game?
Click to expand...
Just my opinion but I think it’s crazy to think Gretzky couldn’t play in today’s NHL. I don’t have any illusions he would record as many goals/assists as he did in his time. The game has changed dramatically in the last 20-30 years. Goalie’s equipment has gotten ridiculously larger in my opinion, leaving much less of a target to score. Nowadays a majority of teams are icing 4 competent lines, which wasn’t the case during Gretzky’s time. But I don’t believe there has ever been, or will be anytime soon, a player who could anticipate where the puck was going and react appropriately like Gretzky. He had a vision like nobody else and would more than hold his own today.
 
J

JonathanW_rivals

Heisman
Jan 3, 2003
145,534
15,709
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In any sport there is always the skill vs athleticism debate. I generally believe skills and instincts wins out in most (except some football positions).

Gretzky would still be in the right spots, make the right passes, and make the shots.
 
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PhDcat2018

Heisman
Jun 26, 2017
17,917
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Gretzky would hold his own. Would he be as effective? I'm not sure. The game seems so much faster now then even 10 years ago.
 
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