Kirkwood wrote:
pittmike wrote:
The great one was so good with Edmonton. He had 200 point seasons and nearly scored 100 goals in a season.

i wish i was around to witness Gretzky in his prime instead of faint memories of him as a blue or ranger.
when i watch highlights i can't help but focus on how shitty goaltending was. like what the hell were they doing?!?!
though i prefer the pads goalies wore then instead of the couch cushions they're allowed to sport now.
It was a different era. goaltending sucked as the game was getting faster, but forwards weren't really backchecking or shot blocking much and goalies were just transitioning to the butterfly style. That great Bannerman stop that Foley had that call on vs. Minnesota? That's the product of a goalie stacking his pads. Today a goalie goes down in the butterfly and that's a routine right pad save.
He wouldn't put up the numbers he did in today's league, but he still would be the type of player who would be a league leader in points. Goaltending is better than it ever has been, as is defensive positioning.