This is still a great board, I particularly enjoy the History of Hockey section. You can never learn too much about the history of the game, I even like Chooch's posts because you can telll he's followed the game for a long time...he's just really biasedRally, I read posts like the one you quoted here and simply shake my head.
The internet is a wonderful communications tool on a lot of levels. On the flipside, it allows people to share opinions on topics about which they know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING without having to face the absurdity of their comments. Such is the case here.
I'd bet my life this latest genius wasn't even part of the universe at the time Messier was toiling for Edmonton.
No need to waste your time with this one. People get pissed off when I write it because it's true: you have an awful lot of "Born Yesterday, Everyday" types on HF. They know of nothing that happened before last week...and care not to learn about it. Yet they will pass judgement on it! And the result is that they inevitably diminish the careers and achievements of proven greats along the way...while prematurely (by decades) granting greatness and unearned comparisons upon unproven teenagers...in this case one yet to skate a shift in the NHL.
This was a great board not too long ago.
Thorton = Messier?
Find a tape (DVD?) of game 4 of the Oilers-Hawks '90 SF and see how one man can will a team to a victory.
Thorton is the softest "Big man" in the leauge today.
That's a great quote...and frankly, it summarizes Messier as succinctly as can done.
People talk about him living off of reputation much of the latter part of his career. Guess what? He carved out that reputation...by scoring, leading and winning...habitually!
The funny thing is, you talk about getting an opinion about the Malkin/Messier comparsion from those of us who saw #11 throughout his career. Actually, one need not have seen Messier play one shift to assess the comparison at this ridiculously early date and time:
It's preposterous.
Let's talk once Malkin accumulates several years' (let alone 24, like Messier!) worth of NHL accomplishments - individual and team. As the poster #66 suggested, you can compare styles. But to say he will be the next Messier, let alone the next 10 year NHL journeyman is a stretch before he steps on the ice produces. (In another thread, a couple of "Born Yesterdayers" talked casually about he and/or Crosby surpassing Messier's career offensive totals. Sure! No problem! Easy as pie!)
But again, we live in an age where "stardom" is granted liberally by the adoring masses, while actual accomplishment is an afterthought, if that.
Generation Paris Hilton.
Fixed.
How do you know that? He has captained team Russia. How on earth would you know if doens't possess Messier leadership (it's a good bet he doesn't but proclaiming it as a fact, especially as a non-Russian, is stupid).
Not at a Messier level but he does play a power game more like Sundin. Style wise he actually reminds me alot of a thinner and faster Sundin when he was with Quebec, better defensively though. He makes power moves using his reach like Sundin and uses his size in the defensive zone like Bobby Smith.
No one has called him better than the all time greats of the game. I just get the feeling from you and some other posters that you are ignoring the fact that this guy is possibly even a better prospect than Ovechkin was. What I'm saying is that Malkin deserves the hype, he still has a lot to prove but he sure has HOF potential, anything else with his talent would be a disappointment.
Not even in your TOP 20!??!
NOT a superstar?!?
Holy ****. Are you kidding? This is one of the most ridiculous posts I've ever seen on this board and there are many, many ridiculous posters here.
Sweet Jesus.
Easy on the Lafleur comparison, buddy. I dont recall Messier being the best player in the world for 6-7 years. I saw them all play and Messier isnt really on my Top 20 since 1971 list. Lafleur is #5. Messier was more reputation and willpower than absolute skill or domination on the ice. His 94 playoffs (and 84) were awesome but there was some magic missing. He was by no means a superstar. I see you bought into the hype (like the Canucks - 3 y 18 million?
He doesn't deserve the hype to a point where people start including his name with the likes of Messier, Lemieux and Beliveau. Look Malkin is an outstanding talent, it's just tiresome having so many people compare prospects or reasonably inexperianced players to legends who helped build the game.
Ooohh, he captained Team Russia at the WJC. Yep, that Russian team was filled with players who have been hailed as future captains. Yep. That sure is impressive. Maybe if he was on a team filled with great young leaders, I'd take notice. But if that Russian team had great leaders, they wouldn't have rolled over against Canada.
He looks a lot like Lemieux on the ice so why can't we compare them? Sure enough he might not become as successful as Lemieux or Messier but their playing styles are comparable. I don't see anything wrong in comparing styles.
You can't guarantee me that as you really don't know anything about his leadership skills. That's my point. Until you know for sure that doesn't possess as good of a leadership potential as Messier had you can't guarantee me that. I know the odds for him being a leader at Messier's level are very high but the point was that no one knows yet.
