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.