Habs
We should have drafted Michkov
- Feb 28, 2002
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I think the early to mid 90s was the golden era.
The players are bigger, stronger and faster today but that is a natural evolution for all athletes over time, and it doesn't necessarily make the game more entertaining.
The earlier hockey brought out stronger emotions, and there were more clearly defined villains.
The goalies were not as refined as they are now, but it also made it more fun because there were so many different styles unlike today. You had your stand up guys like mclean, scramblers like hasek, hybrids like brodeur, and butterfly specialists like Roy.
Goaltending is down to a science now, and it's looks pretty generic these days. It takes away from some of those eye popping saves you see back then. Goalies also didn't look like they were playing lacrosse back then. Take a look at how small patrick roy looked on 1986 compared to 2003.
But the evolution of goaltending reflects what has happened to the game in general. The coaching has refined, and the players have refined to the point where the game has become more robotic.
It's more about all players playing within a system now, whereas the early to mid 90s was more chaotic, and aggressive. Coaches hadn't quite got to the point of breaking down video yet except for a few exceptions, and there was generally less x and o type coaching, and more emotional button pushing.
I think the player is better today, but I can't say the same about the entertainment value of the product.
The players are much better today, you are correct though, the product was better. Fights, rivalries, tons of goals I miss the 90's hockey.