NHLers you were better than...

[Big Phil]

1. Todd Marchant. if this guy wasn't fast, he would be a 3rd line checker on your average single A senior men's team. Would have made a great cyclist.

He's scored one more Game #7 overtime goal than anybody else that's posting on these boards. Would you be able to score a goal with Grant Ledyard and Darryl Sydor on the ice and a borderline HHOF goalie like Andy Moog in net? I'm gonna bet no. But Marchant did. In other words if I'm a betting man I'm going to assume Marchant gets picked over you in a game of shinny

 

[BillyShoe1721]

Aki Berg.

But seriously if I were to go against someone else, I'd go against Billy Tibbetts.

 

[85highlander]

This is impressive. You appear to be arguing against both sides here. Even bilros wouldn't try that.

I even used both hands when I type, impressive, I know...

I'm being sarcastic more than anything -- I think it's INSANE to insinuate that any NHL'r, regardless of position or role, isn't of the highest caliber, at least in regards to those posting here...

These guys are all incredible players, even the "sucky" ones!!

And after being a NHL fan for several decades, it is crazy to hear people infer how superior today's product is when compared with their predecessors (pick a decade 80's, 70's, or 60's...) -- new skates, sticks, and 10 extra push-ups be damned!!

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Boogard is actually a decent hockey player. There are no fighters left in the NHL who can't play some hockey.

Tony Twist and Dave Brown were worthless outside of intimidation and fighting. I still like them, though, and the latter is one of my all time favorites. Stu Grimson was probably the last specialist.

Grimson's shot was clocked at over 100 MPH several times.

 

[Steelhead16]

Aki Berg.

But seriously if I were to go against someone else, I'd go against Billy Tibbetts.

Seriously???? Have you seen him play or played against him? He's a head case but skill wise he is the 2nd best player I have EVER seen in the ECHL and I've seen him play at the AHL level and NHL level and when he wants to be he can be the best guy on the ice on a given night in any league. He didn't seem to want to do it that often but he has skills. He often looks bored by even being out there because people can't play with him.

 

[Heat McManus]

I get what your saying, but it's a bad analogy for the following reason -- the weapons today are light years ahead of those at the time of Washington. Two hundred years plus and counting....

Evolution in hockey doesn't happen that quickly, regardless of what anyone here disputes --
.

I see what you are saying, and I will add I was using hyperbole.

Take a skate from 1960, hold it by its ankle and then turn it sideways. The skate will flop over like a jack-rabbits ears.

Look at the One95 and U+ that have come out this year. Composite sticks. Lighter, moisture-wicking materials. Not to mention year round training. Players are expected to be in shape the first day of training camp, not at the end of it.

All of these things have sped the game up incredibly. This is 40 years of technology, much of which started in the space race. The players today have a vast array of tools at their disposal that players in the 60s did not.

My point was you can't compare the speed of the game without taking into consideration what they were working with at the time.

 

[Up the Irons]

'Well, if you watched Marchant, you'd know that he also has excellent hockey sense and a strong work ethic. Trying to erase the 2002-03 season (when he was named Oilers' MVP) from your memory.

And if you watched Grier, you'd know that he always drew rave reviews for his skating ability and size. He was one of the Oilers' best players in the 1997 playoffs when they upset the Dallas Stars. '

i had season's ticket to the Oil those years and watch Marchant closely. I'm telling you, the guy could not execute a singe play perfectly smoothly. to say Marchant has excellant hockey sense is laughable. How many times did i watch him over-skate himself out of the passing lane on a 2 on 1. he was just as fast as Paul Kariya and Pavel Bure and that is the ONLY reason he played as pro. the ONLY reason Cory Cross played is because he was 6'5 and played for Billy Moores at the U of A. he is not an exeptional athlete.

Mike Greer I'll give you that one. he is pretty good, even if he it wasn't until he was a 5 year pro before he could turn left with cross-overs. (fact)

come on guys, think it over. you must know some guys who are in the NHL who you know were average athletes. I remember George Laraque could barely skate as a rookie.

 

[Bear of Bad News]

You're not better than any of those three. If you feel differently, then might I suggest getting seats closer to the ice next time?

 

[Heat McManus]

Mike Greer I'll give you that one. he is pretty good, even if he it wasn't until he was a 5 year pro before he could turn left with cross-overs. (fact)

come on guys, think it over. you must know some guys who are in the NHL who you know were average athletes. I remember George Laraque could barely skate as a rookie.

It's hard to take your views on Mike GrIer seriously when you can't spell his name.

Also, I find it hard to believe that the guy could score 20 goals in the NHL and couldn't cross-over to the left side.

While there is probably NHLers who are, at-best, average athletes none of them amassed 500+ NHL games without being incredible hockey players.

I watched Donald Brashear and Turner Stevenson practice a few years back during an optional when they were with Philly and both of these guys were incredible. Now put them in with the rest of the NHL and they are bottom of the barrel skill-wise, but compared to 99.999999999999999% of the hockey playing population they were insanely good.


If you think you were better than them then most likely you've played at a very high level. If so, then good on you, Raphael.

 

[Dr Love]

But seriously if I were to go against someone else, I'd go against Billy Tibbetts.

NESN and the Bruins had a show/open tryout camp called "Be A Bruin" last season. It was a bunch of very good rec league guys, some with college experience, and Billy Tibbets. He was head and shoulders above everyone else. Tibbetts is a grade A idiot and *******, but he has talent. He did score 54 goals in 157 games in the AHL.

******* is censored? It's not even PG-13.

 

[Hank Chinaski]

come on guys, think it over. you must know some guys who are in the NHL who you know were average athletes. I remember George Laraque could barely skate as a rookie.

The title of your thread was 'NHLers you were better than'. I'm not going to dispute any claims that you may be a better athlete or a better skater than the most marginal of NHL players. But for you to claim that you're better than any one of the players you've just named makes me wonder whether you are delusional or simply trying to bait people.

If you played at the junior or collegiate level, then fine, maybe you have reason to believe you COULD have been better than any of the aforementioned. But I have my doubts about that, as nobody I know who got as far as this level would ever seriously contend they were better than a pro hockey player.

 

[King RAZZ]

Dan Cloutier...at least I can stop a beachball at point blank range as well from the other side of the rink...

 

[RandallRitchey]

Lets see..
Chris Simon (he'd probably try and pull a Happy Gilmore and try and stab me with his skate)
Matt Walker
Dan Cloutier

 

[Lundqvist=Vezina]

I am a better skater than Joe Dipienta.

 

[King RAZZ]

Lets see..
Chris Simon (he'd probably try and pull a Happy Gilmore and try and stab me with his skate)
Matt Walker
Dan Cloutier

Heck...even my grandmother is better than he is...and she's been dead for 20 years...

 

[deanosaur]

I have ovechkin skills with the speed of a tank.

 

[MG91]

Shelley, Boogard, Worrell



Coincidence??

 

[the_speedster]

Mike Grier could beat you one on one blindfolded, with one hand tied behind his back, without a hockey stick.

not to mention wearing only ONE skate...

my nominees re peter worrell and george laraque.. both would whip my ass like I was a tax collector.... but I'm faster than the both of them

 

[the_speedster]

Wayne Gretzky, he was just a sharp hit away from playing in the minors.

hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

I mean what can you say to this... talk about bush-isms!

Never will there ever be a more stupid thing said in the history of man... like... ever!

 

[Moose24x]

I've played for 17 years (since I was 4) and was kind of raised by David Volek (ex-Isle and RotY; forced to retire and then he moved to Florida - was my next-door neighbor) and played college and I'd fairly confidently say I'm better than guys like Andrew Peters, Derek Boogard, etc. (not that they wouldn't kick my ass, which is what they're supposed to be good at). I wouldn't be surprised though if there were a handful of guys out there that aren't enforcers that I could perform better than. No one of note or who comes to mind immediately, but I guess those guys who are in their 30's but still have yet to earn a consistent spot on an NHL team for any prolonged term. Who knows though? I've skated with a lot of ex and current Isles (my folks still live on LI) and I've been able to keep up and work some pretty sweet plays with them in the handful of scrimmages I've had the pleasure of joining in, without any problems, but that's not necessarily an indication that I could play with them in an NHL game.

 

[Heat McManus]

I've played for 17 years (since I was 4) and was kind of raised by David Volek (ex-Isle and RotY; forced to retire and then he moved to Florida - was my next-door neighbor) and played college and I'd fairly confidently say I'm better than guys like Andrew Peters, Derek Boogard, etc. (not that they wouldn't kick my ass, which is what they're supposed to be good at). I wouldn't be surprised though if there were a handful of guys out there that aren't enforcers that I could perform better than. No one of note or who comes to mind immediately, but I guess those guys who are in their 30's but still have yet to earn a consistent spot on an NHL team for any prolonged term. Who knows though? I've skated with a lot of ex and current Isles (my folks still live on LI) and I've been able to keep up and work some pretty sweet plays with them in the handful of scrimmages I've had the pleasure of joining in, without any problems, but that's not necessarily an indication that I could play with them in an NHL game.

Great post.

 

[ObnoxiousPensFan*]

im 99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999 times better then berube

 

[Up the Irons]

guys, i'm just saying that there are some specialists that got the opportunity, they got drafted on their one elite ability. From playing everyday, competing with real elite athletes and with elite coaches, they became solid NHLers (cory cross). But there is a percentage, albeit a small percentage (maybe 5 percent) of NHLers who I would not call great all-round athletes. Where these guys are elite is in their determination and drive.

You want to believe that every professional athlete is an elite super-human (ie. Jordan, Ovechkin, Maurice Green, Christian Ronaldo, Alex Rodriguez)) fill your boots man. Keep your heroes up there on a pedistal.

why do you think there are things call coaches, trainers and steroids? the great athletes don't need them; they're there for the other guys.

 

[Up the Irons]

anyway, this thread went totally off the rails. I'll admit i probably gave it bad title. should of called it: 'players that had only one thing going for em'. hey, it got us talking anyways

cheers, out.

 

[007madden007]

I've played for 17 years (since I was 4) and was kind of raised by David Volek (ex-Isle and RotY; forced to retire and then he moved to Florida - was my next-door neighbor) and played college and I'd fairly confidently say I'm better than guys like Andrew Peters, Derek Boogard, etc. (not that they wouldn't kick my ass, which is what they're supposed to be good at). I wouldn't be surprised though if there were a handful of guys out there that aren't enforcers that I could perform better than. No one of note or who comes to mind immediately, but I guess those guys who are in their 30's but still have yet to earn a consistent spot on an NHL team for any prolonged term. Who knows though? I've skated with a lot of ex and current Isles (my folks still live on LI) and I've been able to keep up and work some pretty sweet plays with them in the handful of scrimmages I've had the pleasure of joining in, without any problems, but that's not necessarily an indication that I could play with them in an NHL game.

Best post in thread.