Vladislav Tretiak....

[Big Phil]

Tretiak would still be a Hall of Famer IMO had he played his entire career in the NHL. He may have always had a very good team in front of him but he also played very well against other good teams. Yeah a lot of the time the teams the Soviets travelled to werent good anyways but in a best on best competition he was good for the most part. The Super Series of '76 vs. NHL teams, he beat the Bruins, Rangers, tied the Canadiens and was left out in the cold in his loss to the Flyers. All good teams.

'72 was his opening act. And we have to remember he was only 20 years old at the time. Facing the best NHLers in the league. Then in the '81 Canada Cup he was the MVP. Not a bad career. He'd of been one of the top 3 goalies in the NHL over his career.

 

[(lone)Yashinfan#79]

Lake Placid, 25 Years Later...The FIX IS IN!!

wonder if he tanked it on purpose on that late period goal (Schneider?)
that was a Mr. Whipple Charmin squeezably soft goal...

 

[#66]

Tretiak turned 32 years old in 1984. It was often a practice of the Soviet Union to force players to retire in their early 30's.

I kind of agree with you about Roy, but it is possible that a great performance by Tretiak would have caused Savard to draft someone else with their fourth pick, 3rd Round 51st overall.

Was that still the case in '84? I thought that things changed in the Soviet Union when they saw how Howe played in '74.

 

[Tretiak]

Tretiak to Red Wings? Even he can't say for sure (1990)