Big Phil
Registered User
- Nov 2, 2003
- 31,703
- 4,146
We all remember that infamous game. Canada by the way played poorly until the 19th minute of the third period but what do you expect they had Shayne Corson, Linden and Zamuner on their team (yes I know Linden got the tying goal). But to me I always have weighed in about the debate about Gretzky not being in the shootout. The list as we know went like this:
Fleury
Bourque
Nieuwendyk
Lindros
Shanahan
Not bad but far from great or even our best. Yes Sakic and Kariya were both unavailable and it may not have even gotten to a shootout then, but werent there better snipers than Bourque and Shanahan? They are far from the most skilled of players. Gretzky IMO shouldnt have been in the shootout for a number of reasons. First I once read that not having Gretzky there was like not having Babe Ruth in a home run competition. Well not exactly Gretzky was not in his '84 version anymore and to have a guy who had a diminished goal scoring ability and one year away from retirement go against the greatest breakaway goalie ever wasn't in the cards for me. Besides Hasek stopped Gretkzky in a shootout in the '98 all-star game skills competition. So my answer is no he shouldnt have been among the top 5 picks. This was '98 it was a different era. Here was my list. Would we have won? I dont know but it would have been a better chance.
Fleury - This pick was correct. Fleury had the right idea against Hasek trying to go high on him put Hasek barely got a piece of it, I think Fleury was on most people's lists.
Recchi - Let's face it Bourque was on there cause he could shoot "targets" in the all-star game. Not a good choice. Recchi was more deserving a skilled player who was also a sharpshooter. Not a defenseman. When was the last time you had ever seen Bourque on a breakaway?
Nieuwendyk - This pick was good to. He was having a good tournament. He has skill, and had 39 goals that year more than any Canadian. He looked weak on the shootout but I'd still put him in there.
Lindros - He actually did the best vs. Hasek he hit the post. Lindros was the Captain at the time and he was one of the three best players in the world at the time. No question he's on there.
Yzerman - Why was a power forward like Shanahan our last hope? I'd let Shanny one time it anyday over most players but a breakaway? How was Yzerman left off? He'd be my final pick. That way if the score is tied then you have arugable your most skilled player going against him. He was the only guy on that team who had the ability, other than maybe Fleury, that could deke Hasek out let alone score. Yzerman was well on his way to a Conn Smythe Trophy that spring.
So that is my list Gretzky bashers let out a cheer! I love Gretzky, but even himself he said he was "below average" on breakaways. This is in his prime let alone when he's 37.
Fleury
Bourque
Nieuwendyk
Lindros
Shanahan
Not bad but far from great or even our best. Yes Sakic and Kariya were both unavailable and it may not have even gotten to a shootout then, but werent there better snipers than Bourque and Shanahan? They are far from the most skilled of players. Gretzky IMO shouldnt have been in the shootout for a number of reasons. First I once read that not having Gretzky there was like not having Babe Ruth in a home run competition. Well not exactly Gretzky was not in his '84 version anymore and to have a guy who had a diminished goal scoring ability and one year away from retirement go against the greatest breakaway goalie ever wasn't in the cards for me. Besides Hasek stopped Gretkzky in a shootout in the '98 all-star game skills competition. So my answer is no he shouldnt have been among the top 5 picks. This was '98 it was a different era. Here was my list. Would we have won? I dont know but it would have been a better chance.
Fleury - This pick was correct. Fleury had the right idea against Hasek trying to go high on him put Hasek barely got a piece of it, I think Fleury was on most people's lists.
Recchi - Let's face it Bourque was on there cause he could shoot "targets" in the all-star game. Not a good choice. Recchi was more deserving a skilled player who was also a sharpshooter. Not a defenseman. When was the last time you had ever seen Bourque on a breakaway?
Nieuwendyk - This pick was good to. He was having a good tournament. He has skill, and had 39 goals that year more than any Canadian. He looked weak on the shootout but I'd still put him in there.
Lindros - He actually did the best vs. Hasek he hit the post. Lindros was the Captain at the time and he was one of the three best players in the world at the time. No question he's on there.
Yzerman - Why was a power forward like Shanahan our last hope? I'd let Shanny one time it anyday over most players but a breakaway? How was Yzerman left off? He'd be my final pick. That way if the score is tied then you have arugable your most skilled player going against him. He was the only guy on that team who had the ability, other than maybe Fleury, that could deke Hasek out let alone score. Yzerman was well on his way to a Conn Smythe Trophy that spring.
So that is my list Gretzky bashers let out a cheer! I love Gretzky, but even himself he said he was "below average" on breakaways. This is in his prime let alone when he's 37.
