The Greatest on The Latest: Flames icons talk Johnny Hockey

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by AcGold

I don't know, he made a good point. He just comes off as a little bitter in the press. I knew Theo personally (for about 20 years until I lost contact with his son). He's got a good way of saying the right thing the wrong way when the mic is on, when it's off he's much more relaxed and quiet (actually quite humble in person with no press).

Johhny is in the league at a good time, if only the refs would call some slashes before his wrists are all messed up. Fleury's skills were off the chart too, could skate laps around everyone and dangle like Kane without his skates laced up. By far the most talented player I ever skated with, including Lanny and Iggy.

Yeah I don't think anyone would dispute that the NHL was way harder before and johnny would have issues playing in that era. I think everyone is annoyed that this wasn't a fleury vs. Johnny debate and Fleury just made it about himself, as per usual.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

How many times have you heard (or said), "when I was your age....."?

When I was your age, I heard those comments a lot more often than you kids do now.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by AcGold

I don't know, he made a good point. He just comes off as a little bitter in the press. I knew Theo personally (for about 20 years until I lost contact with his son). He's got a good way of saying the right thing the wrong way when the mic is on, when it's off he's much more relaxed and quiet (actually quite humble in person with no press).

Johhny is in the league at a good time, if only the refs would call some slashes before his wrists are all messed up. Fleury's skills were off the chart too, could skate laps around everyone and dangle like Kane without his skates laced up. By far the most talented player I ever skated with, including Lanny and Iggy.

Did he though? He always talks about how much tougher it was 'back in the day' but never acknowledges that todays players are bigger and faster. The skill level of the average player is much higher as well.

If Fleury played in todays NHL he would be in the penalty box or suspended for half his career.

[AcGold]

^the rules were significantly different when he played so yeah, it was a good point. Head shots, clutching, hooking, cheapshots after clean hits were all part of the game, the dead puck era.

Originally Posted by FBI

Fleury was my favorite player of all time but Johnny certainly has the potential to bypass him for me. Hate that bitterness.
Would like to hear him say something like this: "yeah that kid is damn good. He might even be better than I was in my day. "

He can't because he's still bitter. He definitely has some hard feelings for the Flames still. Don't hold out hopes he'll change.

In person he's an awesome guy, on the mic he'll always be bitter as he feels the Flames estranged him (rightfully or not). I just feel the need to stick up for him when he's had some tough times and he's reasonable 99.9% of the time (should just stay away from the press).

[Sainters7]

Theo just has a case of small man syndrome, I don't think he can help it. Just that drive from it, and permanent chip on his shoulder. One of the biggest reasons why he was so good, and why he sounds like a bitter grump sometimes in interviews.

[shotinthebacklund]

I for one cannot stand Fluery and like him less every time he opens his mouth. I was given his first book once and donated it. I disliked him pre "come back" and like him even less after because of the smug comments made.

Flames have a super classy alumni and this guy is a stain. Lets move on.

Love the comments from Lanny.

[calgaryblood]

Such a shame this thread has turned into a Theo debate instead of us talking about all the good things that were said by other great players.

And that's not on us as posters that's on Theo and his comments.

[tvp2003]

Is George Johnson back writing for the Sun now?

Was always a fan of his work...

[Matata]

Theo's awesome, I'm happy to hear his opinion even if I don't agree with it.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Is George Johnson back writing for the Sun now?

Was always a fan of his work...

Writing for flames site now

[AcGold]

You want to hate on Theo. As if he actually said something wrong? OK first point

1) tough to play with clutching? True, Fleury played in the dead puck era when scoring was at an all time low
https://www.google.ca/search?q=dead+...obile&ie=UTF-8

2) It's a very specialty oriented game these day? True. Powerplay often dictates a win or a loss due to the larger skill gap available for guys like Kane and Johhny

3)Gives Johhny credit, you may not think so but he did. Could have chose his words better but he clearly sees Johhnys skill.

4)New rules dictate for more scoring? True.

So for those of you calling him a stain what exactly did he say that was so horrendous or disdainful? Please elaborate. Johhnys game would have suffered in the dead puck era, if Getzlaf and Perry had free reign to grab and lean on him he'd get worn down pretty quick. To me it seemed like he was saying the game is structured around guys like Johhny, which it is.

[stamps]

Originally Posted by Matata

Theo's awesome, I'm happy to hear his opinion even if I don't agree with it.

I wouldn't say awesome , I would describe it as embarrassing or maybe even pathetic ?? sad ???

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by AcGold

You want to hate on Theo. As if he actually said something wrong? OK first point

1) tough to play with clutching? True, Fleury played in the dead puck era when scoring was at an all time low
https://www.google.ca/search?q=dead+...obile&ie=UTF-8

2) It's a very specialty oriented game these day? True. Powerplay often dictates a win or a loss due to the larger skill gap available for guys like Kane and Johhny

3)Gives Johhny credit, you may not think so but he did. Could have chose his words better but he clearly sees Johhnys skill.

4)New rules dictate for more scoring? True.

So for those of you calling him a stain what exactly did he say that was so horrendous or disdainful? Please elaborate.

You just don't understand. It's not what he said, it's when he said it.

If this was an interview about the game and how much easier it is to play these days then Fleury would have been on point.

Did you notice how not a single other player made it about themselves? That should be enough evidence that Fleury just doesn't get it, and apparently neither do you.

[CroFlames]

Why doesn't he say Johnny has tons of skill? or amazing skill? He says Johnny has "some" skill.

You know how has "some skill? Stajan. Johnny has boatloads of skill, Theo.


Again, Theo can't just give a compliment without praising himself first.

[stamps]

Originally Posted by AcGold

You want to hate on Theo. As if he actually said something wrong? OK first point

1) tough to play with clutching? True, Fleury played in the dead puck era when scoring was at an all time low
https://www.google.ca/search?q=dead+...obile&ie=UTF-8

2) It's a very specialty oriented game these day? True. Powerplay often dictates a win or a loss due to the larger skill gap available for guys like Kane and Johhny

3)Gives Johhny credit, you may not think so but he did. Could have chose his words better but he clearly sees Johhnys skill.

4)New rules dictate for more scoring? True.

So for those of you calling him a stain what exactly did he say that was so horrendous or disdainful? Please elaborate. Johhnys game would have suffered in the dead puck era, if Getzlaf and Perry had free reign to grab and lean on him he'd get worn down pretty quick.

This was suppose to be about Johnny ... did the other greats make it out to be a comparison between themselves and Johnny ???

[AcGold]

^It is about Johhny though. How we can see a clear move in the NHLs direction away from the Domis towards the Gaudreau and Kane's.

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

You just don't understand. It's not what he said, it's when he said it.

If this was an interview about the game and how much easier it is to play these days then Fleury would have been on point.

Did you notice how not a single other player made it about themselves? That should be enough evidence that Fleury just doesn't get it, and apparently neither do you.

Oh I get it just fine. He didn't make it about himself and you're just projecting your own bias. He was right, Johhny is lucky to play in todays NHL and we're all fortunate as well.

There's been plenty of guys like Johhny, remember Paul Kariya? Got knocked out cold from a head shot, played the rest of the game.

You guys seem just as bitter or more so than Theo.

[CalgaryFan1988]

I think a lot of people like to hate on Theo, no matter what he says.

I don't see anything wrong with what he said either. In Theo's time, Gaudreau wouldn't have even played in the NHL. How sad and stupid is that? That a guy more talented than 95 percent of the league today wouldn't have even played in the NHL because GM's and refs were letting so much go that it was only a "big mans game".

I wonder how many other amazing players got passed by, because they were under 5'10".

[Poe969]

THe only thing that Theo has that Johnny doesn't have (yet) is a Stanley Cup Ring. Johnny has all the tools other than size and he more than makes up for it. The only slight on Johnny's game is that he just seems too nice.

Johnny is amazing and the Flames and us fans are lucky we get to watch him as much as we do.

[calgaryblood]

Johnny should respond with how much easier it was to score back then with goalies wearing the equipment they used to.

[Huntingwhale]

I thought this thread was gonna be cool. But it sucks now