Quote:
Originally Posted by curves2000
The 80's was not the greatest talent by any stretch but the game was open. The 90's was really shut down, clutch and grab.
I just look at the improvements in a lot of areas and apply them to the top players in a direct comparison.
Travel, training, nutrition, team assistance, medical and rehab treatment are all substantially better.
#99 played in an era where ice was not really cleaned between stoppages in play like now. There was a redline ,a 2 line pass rule and no 4 on 4 or 3 on 3 OT for some, most or all of his career.
It would be logical that the #1 goal scorer,#1passer in the game would probably absolutely have a field day with those rules. The difference in Powerplay goals between #99 and Ovi is shocking due how the game and penalties were called in the 80's and 90's. I think at last count Wayne had 20 or 21% of his total goals as a PP goal. Ovi is near 40% I believe. Both players have played similar game totals and scored similar goals.
Ovi is a very high volume shooter given his opportunities with the way the game is now. Apply the same shot total with Gretz shooting percentage and the numbers are eye popping.
If #99 never scored as single goal ever, he would still be the highest scoring player in history. There is a 50% gap in points between him and #2 Jagr who played until 47.
There is smaller gap between #2 and#100 players. This level of dominance cant be comprehended in sports cause it doesnt really exist. If applied in business, it would be like Apple, Coca- Cola or Mcdonalds never selling a single phone, soft drink or burger and still having higher sales than their biggest competitor. The question becomes, how much other product are you selling that your still #1??
I am still stunned Ovi will probably finish his journey and good on him. Its unreal and frankly wild to think. I think Ovi was helped more long term structural changes to the game than perhaps Wayne was over Howe. Then again who knows? Wayne got paid well while Howes signing bonus was a leather jacket from Detroit.
Everybody thought Wayne was concussed when he said a 14 year old Crosby would break his records when he saw him play. Crosby could very well be the only other player to 2000 points.
No matter who it is, the best always know and see the best better than us.
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That's a very good point regarding the 4-on-4/3-on-3 OT but also, 4-on-4 situations when there are coincidental minors. Gretzky forced the NHL to change it to 5-on-5 for most of his career due to his proficiency scoring there.
Also, when you look at the numbers, sometime around year six (85-86) Gretzky seemed to just get bored of scoring goals and tried more for assists. He then had two seasons in a row where his assist total was more than anyone had points. In 86-87, he had 121 assists and 183 points. Number two in the NHL was Jari Kurri (his linemate) who had 108 points. It's kind of hard to wrap your head around.
Also, from 1979-80 through 1991-92, his shooting percentage was 19.9%. He took 3,758 shots and 749 goals.
In Ovechkin's first 13 seasons, he had 4,896 shots and 607 goals. (12.4%)