PelagicJoe
Registered User
I think you're off base here, I think that that Crosby et al are as talented or more talented than their 80s counterparts, the issue is that so is everyone else. Everyone is more athletic, the baseline player is head and shoulders better, closing the gap between worst and best, so the best are less able to dominate now.
Imagine Gretzky and company without being restricted by the two line pass rule. Those guys also did it in an era where clutch & grab, hooking, and interference were rampant.