LeBlondeDemon10
Registered User
In the classic video section on NHL.com I found a new game - Game 1 of the 1976 finals. I was watching Lafleur as I had not seen a lot of his games prior to 1978. It appears to me that he was still developing at that stage - he was 25. He was skating more upright and bent at the waist whereas later Lafleur - 1979-84 - skated stronger, a little deeper in a classic crouch and with more confidence. Too bad things didn't work out for him in his last few years as I thought he developed into a more complete player. I've heard that he had lost a step his last few years, but I am not sold on that. I think his skating improved. The league around him got better and the team around him got worse. Check out the video from 1985 clip 9 about 2/3 down the page. He could still fly. I'd like to know what others think.
http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2009/11/26/1174682/25-years-ago-today-the-surprise
http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2009/11/26/1174682/25-years-ago-today-the-surprise