Quote:
Originally Posted by vilzeh
I agree with all of the above. I know Gretzky was so much better than anyone else, it's true, but my point mainly here is that I don't think he could have gathered those crazy points in today´s NHL even if he was in his prime now. Because the sport has evolved more, the goaltenders have become so much better, I have no doubt he wouldn't be the best now, but the point totals are so misleading because of the era he played in, with the goaltending quality, or lack of quality, that's why, and I will say it: No one will EVER break his crazy point records.
|
But that's ignoring that his contemporary Lemieux was able to put up 161 points in 70 games, a staggering 190 point pace, against Roy, Hasek and Brodeur in 1996. Those guys aren't MacDonald and Dubnyk but they were half decent.
I don't doubt his totals would take a hit, but I feel like it's often very overstated simply because people are so ready to parrot the "high scoring 80s" while ignoring other arguments.
Oh well, I've become a broken record at this point but no one seems to address Lemieux' 1996 season when they bring up the terrible goalies, terrible competition argument.