Well that's why you can't compare eras. I mean, Lafleur used to smoke cigarettes during periods, there's no way he'd be able to do this today. It doesn't mean he was way impressive for his time and really entertaining.
You can't look at what things are being done today and compare them to what was being done in a way less advanced sport/time.
If there was no Lafleur-Beliveau-Roy-Chelios-C.Lemieux-etc, there would be no PK Subban.
I still laugh (in a good way) when I hear about Lafleur and cigarettes between periods
(we can't find out who would do this today since it is not allowed to smoke inside anymore!! lol!, but there are still many players who smoke after the game - outside - when they go to a bar/strip-bar or back home,etc....not all of 'em, but more than we think I assume?! but...imo NHL players are in better shape VS NHL in the 60s and 70s...many NHL players in 50s-60s-70s had 2nd jobs since NHL salary wasn't like today's ludicrous salaries, thanks to all the fans who pay for the tickets, jerseys, beer,etc...fans = today's salaries). Imo, NHL players from the 50s, 60s, 70s looked a lot older at age 30 compared to today's 30...NHL's 30...imo (2nd job factor? technology/nutrition/fitness regime/oxygen tanks,etc,etc).
I can almost guarantee...PK Subban will join the Habs' ''honor roll'' in the above (Rocket Richard, Beliveau, Lafleur, Chelios, C.Lemieux, Roy, and then...it will be PK Subban....for me PK is already there!! but maybe that's just me!!).
About 70s, early 80s NHL hockey VS today's hockey and PK Subban's very entertaining flashy style...it's unfair to compare. You can compare if you want, but...not fair to the 70s-80s players (better skates, equipment, training, fitness coaches, bigger/faster players,etc,etc). Similar imo to tennis...60's-70s with wooden racquets...legends yes but today's tennis is faster, stronger, more powerful, way faster.........same with hockey...better/faster/bigger/more skill/way faster......hockey 20yrs from now should be better than 2014 hockey, but imo...
Subban is playing modern futuristic flashy hockey 2034-2040 style... already!!hahaha!! (not kidding!).
At first, I thought : "nice, Kovalev, is comparing Subban to a HoF, and Leecth would command as much and even more if he signed a contract in Subban's circonstances". Subban might be seen as such, but when I watch hockey I see Subban play like a solid defender, with physicality and strenght. Maybe Kovalev confused Karlsson with Subban ?
Atrocious defensively:
Karlsson
Terrible defensively:
Letang
Very crafty/smart/VERY underrated DEFENSIVELY (real winner, gutsy, creative,etc):
PK Subban
I really really think that Kovalev has not properly watched PK Subban, or else Kovalev would agree with pro-Subban fans and think ''that Subbie...he's as talented or more than me in my prime but ten times flashier, gutsier, way more heart, way more entertainment value, more everything...and that defense of his is super crafty/intelligent/VERY underrated'',etc,etc.
PK Subban's defense:
I actually really really appreciate watching Subban play defense, sometimes more than his offense...he's Mr.Crafty...he's very smart and is always one-two-three steps ahead of a forward who is coming in to try and smash him into the boards with no success...Subbie will handle the puck and leave one meter or more between himself and the board so as not to be smashed like some dmen we know. Yes, he'll take some risks here and there (regular season) when he takes more risks and plays more of a ''loose'' game (but not often), but...in playoffs he makes no mistakes because the playoffs are a different animal to Subbie...the playoffs are what it's all about. Subbie simplifies his moves (playoff mode) and does more calculating...he's so fun to watch...defensively and offensively.
Subban is actually very entertaining to watch...defensively (not only offensively) 'cause he's so crafty/original/smart/creative.
Kovalev is just a Subban hater.
Why? 'Cause it's obvious Kovalev has not watched Subbie play often...very obvious. Kovalev is just repeating what he's read about Subban 1-2 yrs ago...but more of those haters are quiet now...they have no choice since Subbie is that good (defensively and offensively).
1 minute left in the game...protecting a lead...I want Subban out there. PERIOD. (Not on the bench watching Therrien eat a hot-dog with extra relish).
1 minute left in the game...we need a goal...I want SIX Subbans out there!! (empty net, extra player!).
Subbie's predictable reactions to Kovalev's comments:
''I'm flattered that he spoke about me...Kovalev was an awesome player for the Habs...very flattering to be compared to Leetch'',etc,etc,etc. Positive, positive, positive...the usual positive smart Subban answers...smart 'cause he will never get in trouble with those answers,etc,etc. (that's what we want...for him to concentrate on hockey and not exchange words with ex-Hab players back and forth,etc).
In reality:
Subbie would probably tell Kovalev to continue playing golf and to stay quiet, but Subban is smarter than that. And Subban is getting ready for the '14-15 season...he has not time for Kovalev or what he thinks (I have the time though!!
).
Subban's salary:
I like to think of it this way...
2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013-2014....Subban was the MOST underpaid player or dman in the NHL...record breaking underpaid, imo!! Since day 1...his play was equivalent to $6mil to $10mil per year...he's getting a bit of that back now but not all of it!! He has been our *MVP since day 1, imo (*maybe tied with Halak in 2010, imo, still...Subbie was our MVP, imo).
No one in the Habs is as passionate as Subban when it comes to winning in playoffs...no one. So glad it's our Habs that Subban plays for. Would be so jealous and bitter if PK Subban played for the Leaves or Bruins. I would only accept the Oilers or Jets!!? (but never going to happen!).