I think the players like Crosby, Malkin, Toews, Kane, Kopitar, Doughty, Quick, and so on are that good. They're definitely difference makers.
The difference between them and the players like Lemieux, Yzerman, Gretzky, Lafleur, and on is that the gap between the best players and the ordinary or worst pro players isn't as significant as it used to be. This reduced gap is due to more than one factor, including things like improved athleticism and fitness, improved equipment, better coaching strategies, and changes to rules.
Tanking has never been and never will be a guaranteed path to future success in the NHL.
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