The Greatest on The Latest: Flames icons talk Johnny Hockey

[GioforPM]

Fleury straddled a high and low scoring era. I think he was one of the most talented guys in the league, let alone Flames history. Absent his issues, I think he would have had an HOF career and approached the league's best point getters.

For whatever reason, he's also always seemed to me to be less than the sharpest tool and a bit of a self-promoter. I've given him the benefit of the doubt because of his backstory - I think he's had to claw for everything his whole life.

On topic: it's clear that Johnny is a Flame with one of the best tool boxes ever. Maybe Kent, maybe Fleury, had skill sets close to his. Can't think of many others.

[darthma]

Originally Posted by 868904

Anyone read Iggy's comments and feel like he wouldnt' have any hesitation to come back to play with Johnny?

He'd be a great fit too with how often he comes to protect his teammates.

Yup. It's just that Calgary doesn't really need him. Yes, we need a skilled RW, but it's probably not Iggy. It would be awesome though...

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by 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.

Let's not get carried away here. Johnny is my current favourite hockey player but he has a ways to develop before he can hold a candle to Theo Fleury skill wise. I think some of you either never saw #14 play or forget just how damn talented he was.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Let's not get carried away here. Johnny is my current favourite hockey player but he has a ways to develop before he can hold a candle to Theo Fleury skill wise. I think some of you either never saw #14 play or forget just how damn talented he was.

Fleury could go through defenders so easily sometimes. He was deadly on a breakaway, he was really fast (just didn't have the leg length to get to the very top levels of speed). He had a good shot and excellent hands. He was a prick (usually in a good way for Calgary). He was actually pretty decent in the dot when he got a chance. He'd get down really low.

[The Yen Man]

On a more positive note, love the comments by Crispy. I actually quite enjoy it whenever he's on the Fan. Guy seems like such a positive guy, and he's always throwing compliments the Flames way.

[1991 Canadian]

Cool article. Thanks for posting.

There's maybe a list of 10 or so guys in the NHL that I think are worth going out of your way to see play. Johnny is not only on that list, he's probably close to the top.

The Flames ownership group should thank their lucky stars they have Gaudreau during a time of economic downturn and below average team play. He's worth keeping season tickets for.

[Zarley]

Nothing wrong nor classless about Theo's comments. Complimented Johnny but he makes a good point about differences in era. Some of you guys sure have a thin skin.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Zarley

Nothing wrong nor classless about Theo's comments. Complimented Johnny but he makes a good point about differences in era. Some of you guys sure have a thin skin.

The problem is that it's not the first time Theo has done that. He always needs to make sure he tells people how hard it was for him.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Zarley

Nothing wrong nor classless about Theo's comments. Complimented Johnny but he makes a good point about differences in era. Some of you guys sure have a thin skin.

Why bring that up? No one asked him how Johnny would've faired in your era or how Johnny compared to you. He's just a prick who feels threatened by Johnny potentially passing all of his records one day just like Iginla did so he has to throw in all of these asterisks'.

I'll never forget when he came into the sports store I worked in looking for his own jersey (for a signing later) and was shocked that we didn't carry Theo Fleury jerseys despite the fact that he hadn't played a game for the team in over a decade at the time. He seemed genuinely shocked/angry about it.

[Tacopuck]

Whether or not Johnny could produce in Theo's era is pointless argument in semantics. We all want to know the answer to the real question:

What if Skittles were never invented? Would we still have the Johnny we have today?

[GoJetsGo]

So disappointing (yet not at all surprising) this thread has been hijacked and turned into a pissing contest about people's thoughts on Fleury.

Why not just make a new thread and argue away there?

[polak]

It so disappointing that he keeps giving us reasons to turn every thread where he comes up into this.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Nice to see that Joe Nieuwendyk has eased into his new job and is already talking his book.

I bet the Carolina Hurricanes might just have some great complementary pieces, huh Joe?

[Calgary4LIfe]

Can't speak for everyone, but give me a humble, unselfish, dynamic, and extremely talented small player over a selfish, self-serving, dynamic and extremely talented small player.

I have no idea why he gets any air-time with anything Flames-related. Theo has always been about Theo and nothing else.

Very refreshing to have Gaudreau in the fold.

One thing I don't think got covered - who would the rest of the Flames back then and now rather have on their line - Theo or Johnny? I am going to guess that Johnny would make a much better teammate and line mate.

[stemit14]

Loved the comments from flames legends on Johnny. Crisp's comparison to Gretzky reminds me of a comment that Wotherspoon (I think) made about gaudreau a few years ago during the World Junior Championships... Said something about checking gaudreau was like trying to check a ghost.

Is it me or does iggy sound like he would love to be on the receiving end of those gaudreau passes?


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[Lanny_McDonald]

Great comments from a lot of the former Flames. Sadly, Theo Fleury is still a legend in his own mind.

[polak]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Is it me or does iggy sound like he would love to be on the receiving end of those gaudreau passes?

Gotta imagine he's a bit bummed to have not been here for a bit of Gaudreau action. Easily would've been his best Flames team mate.

I'd take him back on a 2 year deal. Guy still has it and if we can't get any of the UFA wingers or one of the fins....

[Party Elephant]

Originally Posted by polak

Gotta imagine he's a bit bummed to have not been here for a bit of Gaudreau action. Easily would've been his best Flames team mate.

I'd take him back on a 2 year deal. Guy still has it and if we can't get any of the UFA wingers or one of the fins....

He's got 20 goals and 44 points this season so obviously he can still play. Imagine what kind of numbers he could be putting up while filling in our gaping hole on first line RW?

If the Flames find themselves in a playoff spot at next year's trade deadline and if the Avalanche are out of the picture at that point and the Flames still haven't sorted out the first line RW, then a trade for Iggy would be an absolute no brainer. If all that happens I'd love him back.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by polak

Gotta imagine he's a bit bummed to have not been here for a bit of Gaudreau action. Easily would've been his best Flames team mate.

I'd take him back on a 2 year deal. Guy still has it and if we can't get any of the UFA wingers or one of the fins....

He still has a year left on his contract after this year

What a dumb deal he signed.

[Party Elephant]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

He still has a year left on his contract after this year

What a dumb deal he signed.

Getting paid for 3 years at his age is never a dumb deal. He's the third oldest player in the league.