[News] Sabres to retire Hasek's number

[Locke]

I hate cross-era comparisons.

Basically, if there were only 6 teams that barely qualifies as a league. Not to mention that you'd have to be collecting a pension to even remember them.

[Flamesguy_SJ]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

So how'd you become a Flames fan?

The Flames had their AHL farm team in my hometown, so when I became a hockey fan I started going to Saint John Flames games and eventually became a season ticket holder.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

It is always tough to make comparisons across eras, but with how the game has evolved, with how professional sports has evolved, it is difficult not to argue that players in the modern generation are by circumstances better than in the original six era. They are all faster, better trained, more fit, and the game is so much more difficult now with an unprecedented level of parity.

All that to say I think that Hasek, Roy, and Brodeur are the top three of all time. Hasek was probably the best of them all, but suffered for who he played for for all those years in Buffalo.

It might be better to say Hasek was the best of his era.

One will never know how Plante would have faired in today's game. Also forgotten is goaltenders of today cover much more of the net with thier equipment as compared to the era Plante played in. It could be argued that goalies like Plante had a more difficult time in stopping pucks and had to rely more on thier athletic abilities.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Locke

I hate cross-era comparisons.

Basically, if there were only 6 teams that barely qualifies as a league. Not to mention that you'd have to be collecting a pension to even remember them.

Be Nice! Or i'll cut you from my will!

[pgsieve]

As a young goalie growing up.. Hasek was my favorite...
I loved him because my parents couldn't afford a real goalie mask and my dad said if I used a player mask I could be just like Hasek...

[AC]

[Textcritic]

^
I think AC's graphic essentially puts to rest any doubts about Hasek's greatness, and his place in history as arguably the best goaltender of all time.

Originally Posted by dammage79

Hasek certainly deserves to be in the top five all time goalies convo. But best of all time? It's opinion for sure and all the power to those who say he was, but he wasn't. Brodeur is, followed by Roy, then maybe Hasek. Maybe. If he had the stats to back it up or some records as well, then maybe I'd side more with that opinion, but there really isn't...

Yeah, this is pretty much bunk.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Dion

It might be better to say Hasek was the best of his era.

One will never know how Plante would have faired in today's game. Also forgotten is goaltenders of today cover much more of the net with thier equipment as compared to the era Plante played in. It could be argued that goalies like Plante had a more difficult time in stopping pucks and had to rely more on thier athletic abilities.

No, I don't agree that this could stand as an argument. Prior to the 90s, the level of play in the NHL was really, really marginal by comparison to the last post-expansion era, to say nothing of the original six league. The equipment was not as good for goalies, but they never had to contend with the kind of offence, speed, strength and coaching that accompanied expansion.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

No, I don't agree that this could stand as an argument. Prior to the 90s, the level of play in the NHL was really, really marginal by comparison to the last post-expansion era, to say nothing of the original six league. The equipment was not as good for goalies, but they never had to contend with the kind of offence, speed, strength and coaching that accompanied expansion.

You vastly under-estimate the skill and competitiveness of the pre-expansion era.

With only 6 teams, it was very difficult to crack lineups and some very good players spent a significant amount of time in the A.

Things changed a lot with expansion, but prior to it, depth was crazy.