The Beautiful Game
by igor larionov.
highly recommended.
i love the soviet style of hockey (watch video from original 6, then video of soviets. soviets are much more interesting and skilled. look at the huge difference in the transition game and the coordination of the offense. they contributed massively to the modern NHL), but i think his article is a bit misleading.
i think he is exaggerating how much hockey has converted to north/south dump and chase, and downplaying the level of skill and east west play.
soviet style also coincided with famously weak team D and superior fitness of soviets. would their style be as celebrated if team D had been better? would it be as celebrated if they had not been able to outskate almost all their opponents, including NHLers?
imo, larionov exaggerates when he alleges that the general culture and preferences of managers and coaches are killing creativity and skill. his statement that it's easier to destroy than to create is the primary reason. it's especially true b/c of how hockey works. the goal is small, especially relative to the players, and the ice is big. players have to control a small, bouncy object with a long stick. those things make the sport almost inherently chaotic and easy to disrupt.
it has been happening for a very long time. '20s ottawa dynasty, '25 victoria, '34 chicago, '35 maroons, '40s TML dynasty, '60s TML dynasty, '70s flyers, '80s/early '90s habs, '90s/2000s NJD, boston and LAK recently.
it's also a bit ironic to invoke datsyuk, since datsyuk is clearly one of the most disruptive players in history, and did not become an elite player until he combined his skill and creativity with the ability to destroy the offense of creative players.
if everyone were like datsyuk, what would happen? would hockey be creative and beautiful, like datsyuk, or would it be constant disruption of offense, also like datsyuk?
i agree with that. good coach, system, responsible two way Fs that but into the system and work hard.
blueline is subpar, imo, but system and F's really help.