God Bless Canada
Registered User
Didn't say Shanahan, Roberts, Tkachuk and Stevens weren't physical. Just said they weren't as physical as Neely. And while they were all excellent goal scorers, their goal scoring abilities weren't as strong as Neely.
I'm a diehard Canuck fan, so I saw lots of Roberts and Tkachuk in the old Smythe Division/Pacific Division battles in the early to mid 1990s. Gained a great respect for both, especially Roberts. Shanahan's one of my all-time favourites and a sure-fire HHOF in my books. Stevens' peak value is one of the best ever for LWs. (In a four-year span, he was a three-time all-star, had back to back 50-100 seasons [including one of two 50-100-200 seasons in NHL history] and keyed two Cup victories).
BTW, two other names that haven't been mentioned yet for combining goals and physical play: Rick Tocchet (a prototype for power forwards for many years) and, as much as I loathe him, Eric Lindros, who had the potential to be the best in the goals/hits discussion.
I rate Messier as the best, though. Only the one 50-goal season, but he was always there when his team needed him. (I believe he's second in all-time playoff goals, behind only Gretzky). And in terms of physicality, a very dangerous player. Used his strength to his advantage to be a physical menace and a force in the corners. Also used his strength to become one of the game's top power skaters, who could bull his way through opposing defencemen.
BTW, charlio, welcome to HF Boards.
I'm a diehard Canuck fan, so I saw lots of Roberts and Tkachuk in the old Smythe Division/Pacific Division battles in the early to mid 1990s. Gained a great respect for both, especially Roberts. Shanahan's one of my all-time favourites and a sure-fire HHOF in my books. Stevens' peak value is one of the best ever for LWs. (In a four-year span, he was a three-time all-star, had back to back 50-100 seasons [including one of two 50-100-200 seasons in NHL history] and keyed two Cup victories).
BTW, two other names that haven't been mentioned yet for combining goals and physical play: Rick Tocchet (a prototype for power forwards for many years) and, as much as I loathe him, Eric Lindros, who had the potential to be the best in the goals/hits discussion.
I rate Messier as the best, though. Only the one 50-goal season, but he was always there when his team needed him. (I believe he's second in all-time playoff goals, behind only Gretzky). And in terms of physicality, a very dangerous player. Used his strength to his advantage to be a physical menace and a force in the corners. Also used his strength to become one of the game's top power skaters, who could bull his way through opposing defencemen.
BTW, charlio, welcome to HF Boards.