Middleton was on in the studio between periods where his old buddy Barry Pederson is a Bruins analyst.
Middleton said he felt blessed to have played when he did because the first part of his career was in the old-time hockey era. He said that with the simultaneous inclusion of the WHA teams and the mandatory helmet rule in 1979, the old-time hockey era came to an end. As a player, he saw it as a clear change to a new era. He didn't have time to elaborate, but I thought that was an interesting insight.
.... totally speculating here as obviously, not a mind reader (least ways not that I'd ever admit to Mr.Bonvie
) however... this opinion or "observation" has been made by others over the years as well..... the WHA's inbound teams were as you know stripped of all of their players with the exception of a couple of skaters and a goalie with the NHL clubs repossessing all of the rest of them had they either been under contract at one time or simply Drafted by them.
The WHA style of play, and the most successful team in the Jets with Hedberg/Hull & Nilsson played a much more wide-open European style, philosophically & practically the Jets & the WHA open to & adopting the European style & recruiting various players from Sweden & elsewhere early on. These players, North American & European born then fanning out throughout the NHL in 79, influencing play, and of course with Sather & the Oilers, Gretzky, Kurri et al playing a European/NA Hybrid Style & blowing away the competition along with peoples minds then yes, had a HUGE influence, the WHA & the Jets changing the way the game had been played. Defence out the window. Run and gun Baby.
Helmets, the introduction in 79 mandating their usage (though Grandfathered) also "changed the game" which when combined with advances in skate technology & technique, the adoption of the short shift game, from Marathon to Sprint, Laneway to Full Cycle.... well, you'd have to be out of your mind to step on an NHL rink from about the late 80's let alone today without a lid on. And ya, absolutely the mandatory helmet laws championed by Red Kelly (who hypocritically while with the Leafs only wore a helmet when playing Defence but who when assigned to play Center which was more than frequently removed it) and instituted at the amateur levels across Canada in the early through mid 60's did "change the game" as it "changed the players". Changed their attitudes towards one another (lack of respect, that they were impervious, head now fair game). You lose "awareness", sight, sound, 6th senses dulled when domed in like that, wearing a helmet. Gretzky for example, he had to wear a helmet and his choice, a Jofa street hockey model that I'm not sure was even CSA or NHL approved extremely light.
So ya, that'd be my take on Nifty's abbreviated comments. Game, everything in Flux since the introduction of the Universal Draft in 63, end of the Sponsorship Era, Expansion in 67/68, Orr & Esposito factor's, Big Bad Bruins & Flyers, Montreal, Summit Series & WHA in 72, Amalgamation & dispersal in 79, Helmet Laws. End of one era, beginning of another, one of the most pivotal moments in the game to wit Rick Middleton not only experienced first hand, but who then had to adapt to on a considerable number of levels.... did so, more than excelled.... Toronto boy. Wexford Raiders. Toronto Young Nats. Outlier organizations who unlike their better known counterparts in St.Mikes & the Marlie organization have produced some serious talent over the decades. Middleton one of many but certainly... amongst the very best of his age, any age.