Are we in the next "Golden Age" of hockey?
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Trafalgar Sadge Law
Registered User
- Nov 8, 2007
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No if anything we're in the dark age of hockey still trying to come out, 2010-2015 is arguably the least talented era in NHL history for top end talent. We're only 1 year removed from arguably the weakest Art Ross winner in NHL history in Jamie Benn, and 5 years removed from likely the first ever forward Hart Trophy winner who will be locked out of the Hall of Fame in Corey Perry. The only other time period where players of this caliber could potentially win these awards is the early 2000s.
NyQuil
Big F$&*in Q
Yes, in a golden age of hockey and in a dark age of fanatism, homerism, intolerasim, cannibalism, and alcoholism.
Grate n Colorful Oz
Hutson Hawk
Golden age of hockey was between 1970 and 1995.
If I were to pick a 25 year period where I could watch any game live, those would be the years I chose.
If I were to pick a 25 year period where I could watch any game live, those would be the years I chose.
Grate n Colorful Oz
Hutson Hawk
Talent-wise? I think you need to take things into context.
The NHL never had such a big pool of talent to pick from. We've been at 30 teams for quite some time now and this means the league is saturated with talent.
You seem to base this on stats alone which is asinine. Lower scores and stats is just a reflection of the parity in this league.
Bigger talent pool, no new teams, players are bigger, trained like never before. That's the perfect recipe for having less space to manoeuvre, hence much weaker offensive output.
Marek brought it up on MvsW this week, it does seem as if we're in the 2005 era of crosby/ovechkin again, with mcdavid/eichel/matthews/laine etc where the torch has been passed to the new generation.
Mattilaus
Registered User
Now now, we all know Eichel doesn't belong in the conversation with those three!
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
In terms of star players I think we're at a high point (not THE high point). The league has a really interesting mix of prime-aged superstars, HOF veterans, and emerging future greats. On a given night you're more likely than not to see at least one player worth the price of admission.
In terms of gameplay? No, not at all. The game is in pretty bad shape entertainment-wise, to the point that the main argument in its favor is that the players are just too darn good to allow each other to shine. That's a pretty poor state of affairs in a game that's designed to showcase skill and drama.
In terms of gameplay? No, not at all. The game is in pretty bad shape entertainment-wise, to the point that the main argument in its favor is that the players are just too darn good to allow each other to shine. That's a pretty poor state of affairs in a game that's designed to showcase skill and drama.
BruinDust
Registered User
- Aug 2, 2005
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Bingo.
Talent-wise, the league has never seen the amount of high-end talent we see today.
But the on-ice product is at it's lowest point in history IMO.
I'd honestly rather watch games from the dead puck era of the late 90s/early 2000s than the product we see today.
Bring back the red-line, bring back the old sized offensive zones, reduce the size of goaltender equipment. Refine the video review and coaches challenge (we had an 8 min delay for a friggin' offsides call last night, 8 mins!), and let players police the dirtbags out of the game, not the inconsistent player safety administration which is largely ineffective.
At this point, average goals in a game is up nearly 0.5. That is a good sign.However it is only 2 weeks into the season.
Instead of over-analyzing, I am just going to enjoy being able to look forward to an Oilers, Maple Leafs, Jets, or Sabres game for the first time in a long time.
Instead of over-analyzing, I am just going to enjoy being able to look forward to an Oilers, Maple Leafs, Jets, or Sabres game for the first time in a long time.
Insane how small the amount of talent league wide is. People don't seem to have a comparison to what a lot of talent looks like. All in all, aide from McDavid I don't see young players hat would blow my mind and McDavid still has a lot to prove. Other touted players are good, but not as good as manyplayes I've seen play in the past.
If you think McDavid is the only NHLer worth the price of admission, then you have some serious issues.
Coastal Kev
There will be "I told you so's" Bet on it
Nope, not even close. Need more goals and offensive flow to the game. The goalies and their equipment is comical and a mockery to the game.
Beukeboom
Registered User
- Apr 1, 2007
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Absolutely agree. With that being said I do think we might head for a new golden age.
McDavid, Matthews, Eichel, Laine, Puljujarvi, Churchryn, Ekblad, Stamkos, Tavares, Karlsson, Gadreau, Seguin, Barkov and so on..the guys born in the 90's are awesome.
The only thing that can destroy it for me is the lack of hitting and fighting. Hopefully new tough players that can skate will come along in larger numbers now that they have had time to adjust.
Less likely to happen with each passing year. I don't miss fighting like I thought I would.
MakeTheGoalsLarger
Registered User
Coaches and systems are beginning to focus on speed instead of grinders.
"Make the nets bigger!" No, we just have the worst shooters in NHL history because the schemes have focused toward "2-way" (aka offensively inept) players.
It's cyclical. Enjoy these few years until the lockout sets us back again.
"Make the nets bigger!" No, we just have the worst shooters in NHL history because the schemes have focused toward "2-way" (aka offensively inept) players.
It's cyclical. Enjoy these few years until the lockout sets us back again.
Coastal Kev
There will be "I told you so's" Bet on it
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
I think the young talent actually quite good compared to where we were 15 years ago. In 01-02, the players 23-and-under with the best careers ahead of them were Thornton, Henrik Sedin, and Datsyuk. I think it's reasonable to project that McDavid, Matthews, and one of Laine or Eichel project to have higher ceilings than that group.
