What is amazing about him is he did all that with no God-given gifts. He had no strength, size, or speed. Look at lemieux, how many goals did he score with his speed cherry-picking? Or use his long reach to beat D-men and score?
- tomcat24

Gretz got every ounce out of his limited talent and hid Pops was a HUGE REASON why.

What is amazing about him is he did all that with no God-given gifts. He had no strength, size, or speed. Look at lemieux, how many goals did he score with his speed cherry-picking? Or use his long reach to beat D-men and score?
- tomcat24

Gretzky's biggest talent was an above average hockey mind. That allowed him to maximize the talents he had, one of which was one of the most accurate shots I have ever seen.

Don't know why I got drawn into an argument over non-provable hypotheicals - one part of sports talk that I generally loathe.
- FredoXV

Gretzky lasted longer, won more cups and shattered EVERY SCORING RECORD IMAGINABLE

- philco28

He never won the Norris ......

He never won the Norris ......
- paulr

Orr the Vezina!

Wait...what the hell are we talking about?

Gretzky lasted longer, won more cups and shattered EVERY SCORING RECORD IMAGINABLE

- philco28

Did Jennifer share this info with you?

Gretzky's biggest talent was an above average hockey mind. That allowed him to maximize the talents he had, one of which was one of the most accurate shots I have ever seen.
- paulr

His hockey IQ was much better than 'above average.' His ability to read the play and the flow, his vision and passing touch were super heroesque, and yes, HIS SHOT was extremely precise.

This is my favorite goal by 99 EVER

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtK86TbYj10

Did Jennifer share this info with you?
- paulr

You mean Janet ? No.

He never won the Norris ......
- paulr

More CUPS and 8 STRAIGHT HARTS...9 OVERALL

His hockey IQ was much better than 'above average.' His ability to read the play and the flow, his vision and passing touch were super heroesque, and yes, HIS SHOT was extremely precise.

This is my favorite goal by 99 EVER

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtK86TbYj10
- philco28

Just a question .... if those hypothetical teams were made who would Gretz hide behind when things got rough?

Just a question .... if those hypothetical teams were made who would Gretz hide behind when things got rough?
- paulr

Johnny Bucyk

Last I checked this was ' Hawks thread, no sense in rhetorically bantering about who is better Crosby of Toews, or the Gretzky legacy on ice.

How about this: Which Hawks prospects have the best shots of making the team next year?

1: Ryan Stanton: I think this guy is ready to play on the 5/6 defense in place of Oduya or Roszilav. Low cost and should be a decent contributor if he plays his game.
2: Adam Clendening: This guy can make an impact too but is he crowded out? Isn't he basically a little tougher Nick Leddy(although no bigger) with a little less speed?
3: Brandon Pirri: If he isn't trade bait, he needs a shot on the 2nd line.
4: Jeremy Morin: I think he is also ready but where does he play?
4: DeNault/McNeill: I think both players are a long shot and need seasoning in the AHL but we've got to love the maturity and physical skills. If I was leaning one way, I'd say McNeill because of his size.


What say you?

Last I checked this was ' Hawks thread, no sense in rhetorically bantering about who is better Crosby of Toews, or the Gretzky legacy on ice.

How about this: Which Hawks prospects have the best shots of making the team next year?

1: Ryan Stanton: I think this guy can step and play on the 5/6 defense in place of Oduya or Roszilav.
2: Adam Clendening: This guy can make an impact too but is he crowded out? Isn't he basically a little tougher Nick Leddy less some speed?
3: Brandon Pirri: If he isn't trade bait, he needs a shot on the 2nd line.
4: Jeremy Morin: I think he is also ready but where does he play?
4: DeNault/McNeill: I think both players are a long shot and need seasoning in the AHL but we've got to love the maturity and physical skills. If I was leaning one way, I'd say McNeill because of his size.


What say you?
- Bjm84

Just passing the time, brother.

Morin needs his shot - I think he's shown enough that he can contribute even in a lower line role. Lot of hustle and tenacity that was pleasantly surprising.

Pirri should have been given a look this year when Bolland went down, IMO. If he can't succeed on a line with Kane, that should tell the coaching staff and front office all they need to know.

I haven't seen enough of McNeill or Danault to properly comment.

You're leaving Ben Smith out of this conversation, and I think he is still noteworthy.

Last I checked this was ' Hawks thread, no sense in rhetorically bantering about who is better Crosby of Toews, or the Gretzky legacy on ice.

How about this: Which Hawks prospects have the best shots of making the team next year?

1: Ryan Stanton: I think this guy is ready to play on the 5/6 defense in place of Oduya or Roszilav. Low cost and should be a decent contributor if he plays his game.
2: Adam Clendening: This guy can make an impact too but is he crowded out? Isn't he basically a little tougher Nick Leddy(although no bigger) with a little less speed?
3: Brandon Pirri: If he isn't trade bait, he needs a shot on the 2nd line.
4: Jeremy Morin: I think he is also ready but where does he play?
4: DeNault/McNeill: I think both players are a long shot and need seasoning in the AHL but we've got to love the maturity and physical skills. If I was leaning one way, I'd say McNeill because of his size.


What say you?
- Bjm84

Next time I post something I'll be sure to ask your permission first.

There will be some moves made before next season, until we know what they are it would be hard to say for sure what positions will be open. My guess is Bolland, Rozsival and maybe Stallberg will be gone. If Bolland is traded a piece may come back for him. Stanton would be a guy I'd like to see and maybe Johns if he goes pro. At forward I'd bet on seeing a bit of a number of the guys you say plus Smith and Hayes.

Last I checked this was ' Hawks thread, no sense in rhetorically bantering about who is better Crosby of Toews, or the Gretzky legacy on ice.

How about this: Which Hawks prospects have the best shots of making the team next year?

1: Ryan Stanton: I think this guy is ready to play on the 5/6 defense in place of Oduya or Roszilav. Low cost and should be a decent contributor if he plays his game.
2: Adam Clendening: This guy can make an impact too but is he crowded out? Isn't he basically a little tougher Nick Leddy(although no bigger) with a little less speed?
3: Brandon Pirri: If he isn't trade bait, he needs a shot on the 2nd line.
4: Jeremy Morin: I think he is also ready but where does he play?
4: DeNault/McNeill: I think both players are a long shot and need seasoning in the AHL but we've got to love the maturity and physical skills. If I was leaning one way, I'd say McNeill because of his size.


What say you?
- Bjm84

None of these guys sends my pulse racing. Stanton ? Meh. Clendening could be a pp guy...Pirri got skill, but his commitment to two way hockey is a ?
Morin's worked hard, has the ability, but can he be consistent and avoid the injuries that have stalled his growth. And need to see the two pups in meaningful professional games before i can hazard an opinion.

Smith might have a shot. And ditto Jimmy Hayes if he ever learns how to skate and play to his size.

Last I checked this was ' Hawks thread, no sense in rhetorically bantering about who is better Crosby of Toews, or the Gretzky legacy on ice.

How about this: Which Hawks prospects have the best shots of making the team next year?

1: Ryan Stanton: I think this guy is ready to play on the 5/6 defense in place of Oduya or Roszilav. Low cost and should be a decent contributor if he plays his game.
2: Adam Clendening: This guy can make an impact too but is he crowded out? Isn't he basically a little tougher Nick Leddy(although no bigger) with a little less speed?
3: Brandon Pirri: If he isn't trade bait, he needs a shot on the 2nd line.
4: Jeremy Morin: I think he is also ready but where does he play?
4: DeNault/McNeill: I think both players are a long shot and need seasoning in the AHL but we've got to love the maturity and physical skills. If I was leaning one way, I'd say McNeill because of his size.


What say you?
- Bjm84

No way to answer until after we see how the off-season plays out. Who gets traded, Bolland, Sharp...both? Who gets re-signed, StaHlberg, Bicks, Leddy, Rosi?

Next time I post something I'll be sure to ask your permission first.

There will be some moves made before next season, until we know what they are it would be hard to say for sure what positions will be open. My guess is Bolland, Rozsival and maybe Stallberg will be gone. If Bolland is traded a piece may come back for him. Stanton would be a guy I'd like to see and maybe Johns if he goes pro. At forward I'd bet on seeing a bit of a number of the guys you say plus Smith and Hayes.
- paulr

Yep...me too. Sorry officer.

Last I checked this was ' Hawks thread, no sense in rhetorically bantering about who is better Crosby of Toews, or the Gretzky legacy on ice.

How about this: Which Hawks prospects have the best shots of making the team next year?

1: Ryan Stanton: I think this guy is ready to play on the 5/6 defense in place of Oduya or Roszilav. Low cost and should be a decent contributor if he plays his game.
2: Adam Clendening: This guy can make an impact too but is he crowded out? Isn't he basically a little tougher Nick Leddy(although no bigger) with a little less speed?
3: Brandon Pirri: If he isn't trade bait, he needs a shot on the 2nd line.
4: Jeremy Morin: I think he is also ready but where does he play?
4: DeNault/McNeill: I think both players are a long shot and need seasoning in the AHL but we've got to love the maturity and physical skills. If I was leaning one way, I'd say McNeill because of his size.


What say you?
- Bjm84

Clendening is not ready...at all..another year in the Ahl to sharpen up his defensive game...I think Chris Block,Wiz,or Eli could have better analysis on each of these guys, and I'm sure they would agree with Clendening not being ready for the NHL

Next time I post something I'll be sure to ask your permission first.

There will be some moves made before next season, until we know what they are it would be hard to say for sure what positions will be open. My guess is Bolland, Rozsival and maybe Stallberg will be gone. If Bolland is traded a piece may come back for him. Stanton would be a guy I'd like to see and maybe Johns if he goes pro. At forward I'd bet on seeing a bit of a number of the guys you say plus Smith and Hayes.
- paulr

No permission needed. I'm encouraging us to stay on 'Hawks talk is all .

I forgot about Johns. He's basically got Seabrook like ceiling no? I'm not on high Hayes until he starts to lay the body. I've always liked Smith. I think he's got 3rd line written all over him. Could be a decent 4th line guy as well.

Gretzky's biggest talent was an above average hockey mind. That allowed him to maximize the talents he had, one of which was one of the most accurate shots I have ever seen.
- paulr

What Gretzky did better than anybody was anticipating where the puck was going to be before the puck itself knew. And nobody had the ability to score like he did - all the way back to when he was 8 or 9.

And his scoring records would have even more unbreakable had that cheap shot back stabbing POS Gary Suter not drove him from behind in the 1991 Canada Cup. He was never the same after that.

Having said that, I think Mario Lemieux had vastly more natural talent that #99.

Clendening is not ready...at all..another year in the Ahl to sharpen up his defensive game...I think Chris Block,Wiz,or Eli could have better analysis on each of these guys, and I'm sure they would agree with Clendening not being ready for the NHL
- captainserious

What about Stanton? He's been peppered and seasoned in the AHL. I don't think anybody expects him to be a top 4 guy but I think he can be solid as a 5 or 6? He skates okay, can make a decent first pass out of the zone, and plays a sound more physical defensive game.

Last I checked this was ' Hawks thread, no sense in rhetorically bantering about who is better Crosby of Toews, or the Gretzky legacy on ice.

How about this: Which Hawks prospects have the best shots of making the team next year?

1: Ryan Stanton: I think this guy is ready to play on the 5/6 defense in place of Oduya or Roszilav. Low cost and should be a decent contributor if he plays his game.
2: Adam Clendening: This guy can make an impact too but is he crowded out? Isn't he basically a little tougher Nick Leddy(although no bigger) with a little less speed?
3: Brandon Pirri: If he isn't trade bait, he needs a shot on the 2nd line.
4: Jeremy Morin: I think he is also ready but where does he play?
4: DeNault/McNeill: I think both players are a long shot and need seasoning in the AHL but we've got to love the maturity and physical skills. If I was leaning one way, I'd say McNeill because of his size.


What say you?
- Bjm84

I think Morin. He needs to get a shot at least on the third line. Health is always the question. My fear on Pirri is that he's (as they say in baseball) a 4A guy... a real good minor league guy but not good enough to sustain success in the NHL. Stanton maybe gets a look at your sixth D-man especially with the cap coming down. Clendening to me may get a look if an injury takes place but I think he's a year away at least. Danault and McNeil need more seasoning.

What about Stanton? He's been peppered and seasoned in the AHL. I don't think anybody expects him to be a top 4 guy but I think he can be solid as a 5 or 6? He skates okay, can make a decent first pass out of the zone, and plays a sound more physical defensive game.
- Bjm84

He's actually put up decent totals for defensive d-man

71 GAME

3 g 21 a 24 pts 126 PIM +14

I understand he's a solid team guy too...so he's deffo in with a shot.
Probably come cheap too.

What Gretzky did better than anybody was anticipating where the puck was going to be before the puck itself knew. And nobody had the ability to score like he did - all the way back to when he was 8 or 9.

And his scoring records would have even more unbreakable had that cheap shot back stabbing POS Gary Suter not drove him from behind in the 1991 Canada Cup. He was never the same after that.

Having said that, I think Mario Lemieux had vastly more natural talent that #99.
- RickJ

On another note...i like the nice 3 day break the boyz are enjoying.