2for1PizzaPastuh
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- Jan 13, 2023
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oops, should be in NHL talk
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a) Why is this in the polls section?
b) He's not.
Yes, in a vacuum McDavid is likely the most talented hockey player to ever live, but there needs to be some context and relativism when comparing athletes across eras.
Gretzky is one of the most statistically dominate athletes ever, in any sport. He might be a top 10 athlete ever, in the convo with Ali, Woods, Messi, Jordan, and so on. He's on that level.
Your argument that McLennen is wrong is that he’s likely right?a) Why is this in the polls section?
b) He's not.
Yes, in a vacuum McDavid is likely the most talented hockey player to ever live, but there needs to be some context and relativism when comparing athletes across eras.
Gretzky is one of the most statistically dominate athletes ever, in any sport. He might be a top 10 athlete ever, in the convo with Ali, Woods, Messi, Jordan, and so on. He's on that level.
There were two other super prodigies who reached Gretzky's level at their absolute peak. They just didn't have his longevity.a) Why is this in the polls section?
b) He's not.
Yes, in a vacuum McDavid is likely the most talented hockey player to ever live, but there needs to be some context and relativism when comparing athletes across eras.
Gretzky is one of the most statistically dominate athletes ever, in any sport. He might be a top 10 athlete ever, in the convo with Ali, Woods, Messi, Jordan, and so on. He's on that level.
I don't understand why would it be significantly higher though. Like hockey as a sport (and most sports really) is getting less popular among kids. A lot of can't afford it even in Canada. In Eastern Europe which used to be the second region for hockey the game is half dead now...I mean we will never know but they could be right.
The quality of competition (ie the skill and work ethic of the average NHL player) is significantly higher than when Gretzky played. Goalies are also better in terms of technique and equipment. Coaching and system structures are improved. Basically, everything is improved so it it is harder for a player to separate themselves from the pack as much as when Gretzky played.
This message board hates having all time greats compared to modern NHL players and is often blinded by nostalgia or is mystified by the legends. The reality is that athletes continue to get better over time and the NHL is no exception. There’s a reason why Olympic records are routinely broken in sports that are more objective in measuring success (track and field, swimming, etc).
Why is the most talented player ever ranked 43rd in goals scored this season when he is at the absolute peak of his powers?He's the most talented player ever, he will have worse stats but he is a better player. gretzky was playing against guys 100x worse than todays NHL talent. this is obvious, he is decades younger - players today are just better.
faster. stronger. smarter. better shots. more skilled. better equipment.
use your brain and its not hard to understand.
This argument ignores the dilution of the talent pool inherent in expansion. Every time the league expands, 25 more guys who weren’t good enough for the previous pool of teams get full-time gigs.He's the most talented player ever, he will have worse stats but he is a better player. gretzky was playing against guys 100x worse than todays NHL talent. this is obvious, he is decades younger - players today are just better.
faster. stronger. smarter. better shots. more skilled. better equipment.
use your brain and its not hard to understand.
I think if he keeps filling up the trophy case with art rosses and MVP's its gonna be hard to deny him even without a cupIf McDavid doesn't find himself hoisting a cup or having a gold medal draped around his neck, does anyone actually see his legacy to the game as higher than Crosby?
Obviously absurdly talented. But greatness, is a different level of fame.
If he does one of the above, preferable both, and multiple times.....the sky is the limit on where he slots on the all-time greatness list.
Greatness comes down to more than sports science and evolution of the game , many players are faster stronger more skilled and use better equipment than gretzky did , hell I bet if you put Kucherov or Ovi in a time machine they destroy the league , that's not the argumentHe's the most talented player ever, he will have worse stats but he is a better player. gretzky was playing against guys 100x worse than todays NHL talent. this is obvious, he is decades younger - players today are just better.
faster. stronger. smarter. better shots. more skilled. better equipment.
use your brain and its not hard to understand.
No, I don’t believe he is a better player than Gretzky or even Lemieux, but this is an early sign of what I’ve been talking about for a few years now: on his path to remaking the Big Four into a legitimate Big Five, we’re going to hear this kind of belief pop up more and more and it’s going to get traction.
if things continue as they have, McDavid is going to be frequently cited as the second best player ever and in some circles, the best ever.
These uncomfortable takes are only going to increase as the years go on. Time to get comfortable, even if we may not agree with it.
Its the moments that do it for me. Those bring the memories that transcend statistics. One of the below images feels a bit different!I think if he keeps filling up the trophy case with art rosses and MVP's its gonna be hard to deny him even without a cup