The game has changed alot in the last few years. Speculating here, but I think Gretzky would have likely been in the same boat as Crsoby had it not been for Dave Semenko. With the implementation of the instigator rule, it made goons like Semenko totally ineffective.
Rule 46 - Fighting
46.2 Aggressor – The aggressor in an altercation shall be the player who continues to throw punches in an attempt to inflict punishment on his opponent who is in a defenseless position or who is an unwilling combatant
You get rid of this rule, the Penguins, and any other team with some dangle is going to hire a big shit kicking goon - and just like that no more concussions on your star players.
your an alex guy huh?? he can hit, score, and stickhandle. hes ok in my book. Im in chicago so i hate washington caps like a passion. oh and the red wings.
We almost had ovechkin instead of malkin. There was a lottery for the draft. We got malkin number two. Could you even imagine if that would of happened. It's like lebron and d wadeNot really an obechicken guy...I'm just trying to fan the flame
But...I do miss that rivalry tho! Ovechkin versus Crosby.....So I guess it affects us all some way or another.
If I had to choose a player(s) I admire..I'd have to say Iginla..Thomas and Datsyk.
Toews is on that list too! Good kid