Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinordi
Can't we all be exicted about Gaudreau without being ridiculous and comparing him to all-time legends?
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Context is important. The Gretzky comparisons largely come from that fact that if you physically created the world's best player - you wouldn't end up with Gretzky. You probably would end up with Mario. Size, speed, frame, reach, wheels, etc. He had it all
Gretzky didn't have a lot of those elite physical attributes. What he had though was off the chart hockey sense - including the ability to somehow not get hit. Similar to Johnny that was something that people were concerned about when it came to 99. It helped he had monsters like Dave Brown and Semeko watching out for him - in an era where they could actually intimidate.
Anyways, any comparisons to the Great One are dangerous. But there is something similar with Johnny when it comes to his hockey sense giving him a chance to succeed beyond what his physical limitations would dictate.
So if you try to understand the comparisons there is something there.
Or you could just dismiss it without much actual thought.