If Gretzky played in this era, would he still be considered the GOAT?

[Varan]

I figure this thread may cause some dissent or misunderstanding, but whatever.

He played at a level so high above his peers that when it was all said and done, he is known as the undisputed GOAT. But hockey has changed significantly over the years and got me thinking, would he have been able to dominate the likes of Crosby, OV, Malkin, Kane, etc., in this era? I think it's fair to say that no player has been head-and-shoulders above their peers in this era like Gretzky was in his.

Would he be in the conversation or already be considered the GOAT?

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[Sol]

Gretzky was ahead of his time...dont know if he'd be the GOAT today. Wouldn't be surprised if he is, but wouldn't be shocked either if he wasn't.

 

[Montreal Shadow]

Yes.

 

[ESH]

Yep

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Impossible to compare between eras really. nobody will ever dominate his peers like he did though

 

[StoneHands]

Very original thread. I wonder if this has ever been debated before.

 

[Varan]

Very original thread. I wonder if this has ever been debated before.

sarcasm?

 

[nobody]

No, it would be Jagr.

 

[GordieHowsUrBreath]

no

it amazes me how so many here think the best of everything all happened 30+ years ago and humans are getting worse

 

[BlueBaron]

If you put Gretz in the modern era with all the advanced training and conditioning, nutrition ect. my guess is he would be the best player in the league. By how much is a tougher question.

We have to remember he is part of the evolution of the game changing tactics and approach but I won't erase all that since it get's too confusing.

He might not be as a big a monster at even strength but I suspect he would still be better than everyone on the power play.

 

[Laineux]

Exactly as he was, not a chance. A lot has changed in 30 years.

He's deserving of being the GOAT regardless. It's an unfair comparison.

 

[eviohh26]

Gretzky was ahead of his time...dont know if he'd be the GOAT today. Wouldn't be surprised if he is, but wouldn't be shocked either if he wasn't.

This is the best answer.

 

[mja]

Yes.

 

[Beerfish]

Gretzky would be horribly disappointing in this era, he would only score 150 points or so.

 

[westc2]

There's really no way of knowing. His playstyle would be completely different if he was born in like...1988.

 

[BlueBaron]

no

it amazes me how so many here think the best of everything all happened 30+ years ago and humans are getting worse

That's really not the assumption. The assumption is one person has such advanced hockey vision that perhaps no one has had the same level since. Mental gifts are a bit different than physical. There are not too many examples of people that were brilliant in multiple fields like Da Vinci, some would say he is still among the best artists ever.

It does not mean that the human race is not getting better, it simply means they were well ahead of their time.

It amazes me how some people think everything and everyone in their life time has to be better than anything that came before.

 

[McDavidCrushedLarkin]

Yes by a mile.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

Very complicated question tbh. The reason I would say yes is the God-like intangibles he had. He seemed to be able do what was needed every time it was needed (at least when he was at the height of his career). I lived in Southern Alberta through the entire 80's and I was a Flames fan and it was demoralizing what the man could do. I offer the classic slap shot from the top of the left circle over Vernon's shoulder as Exhibit A. It was heartbreaking yet you had to respect it.

Also, and I know it sounds stupid but I've always thought time just moves slower for people like this. I play trash hockey and I feel like I have zero time once the puck is on my stick but there are guys that seem to have all the time in the world. Athleticism and experience is part of it but I truly believe there's more to it. Who says we all have the exact same personal measure of time?

 

[mja]

That's really not the assumption. The assumption is one person has such advanced hockey vision that perhaps no one has had the same level since. Mental gifts are a bit different than physical. There are not too many examples of people that were brilliant in multiple fields like Da Vinci, some would say he is still among the best artists ever.

It does not mean that the human race is not getting better, it simply means they were well ahead of their time.

It amazes me how some people think everything and everyone in their life time has to be better than anything that came before.

If mankind actually evolved at the pace some people see to think athletes have evolved over the last 30 years, we'll be jumping over tall building and moving shit with our minds in, like, a decade.

 

[oXo Cube]

in 96-97, Gretzky was a top 5 scorer as a crippled old man right in the middle of the dead puck era.

Wayne in his prime would tear the league apart.

 

[Tatar Shots]

no

it amazes me how so many here think the best of everything all happened 30+ years ago and humans are getting worse

Except that is not true. Lebron is arguably the best basketball player of all time, Messi is considered by many to be the best soccer player of all time, Roger Federer is indisputably the best tennis player of all time. Gretzky is just the best hockey player of all time.

 

[BlueBaron]

If mankind actually evolved at the pace some people see to think athletes have evolved over the last 30 years, we'll be jumping over tall building and moving **** with our minds in, like, a decade.

Millennials think the world started when they were born

 

[member 116861]

Probably the 7th best player in the league, sandwiched between Tavares and Gaudreau.

 

[CokenoPepsi]

Except that is not true. Lebron is arguably the best basketball player of all time, Messi is considered by many to be the best soccer player of all time, Roger Federer is indisputably the best tennis player of all time. Gretzky is just the best hockey player of all time.

No lebron is not arguably the best basketball player of all time

 

[tarheelhockey]

Obviously his numbers would look different, due to changes in the game that have little to do with athleticism.

Beyond that, nothing about Gretzky’s game would fail to translate. He wasn’t like a 7’6” basketball player dunking over short dudes in the 1950s. He dominated by doing basically the same things that are still successful today, just at a phenomenal level.