Well then if that's true then how the hell is it such a guarantee that Gretzky or Lemieux would crack 200+ points let alone even be the best players today?
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Anyways none of you seem to care to investigate and properly rate players all you do is defend old ones.
{Edit} I know this post is kind of long, at least longer than I had initially intended. Also please note that I'm not coming from a condescending place. I'm not picking on you or trying to devalue your opinion or even trying to prove it wrong. This all just kind of ties back into the topic of the thread.
Now here goes...If you have a problem with how players are judged on this forum, give a compelling argument (something you can back up) as to why. Don't be lazy. We all can agree that we are hockey fans, and due to the nature of fandom, we get passionate, and at times that comes out in our posts. There is nothing wrong with that, as long as what you're saying is truthful. The beautiful thing is that if someone challenges your view, you can blow them away if not shut them entirely by proving them wrong.
What the article in the OP touches on is that its too soon to judge whether or not Crosby can even be compared to the likes of Gretzky. And not because "OMG! Gretzky is the best and yesterdays players were better and tougher than todays!!!!111." Sid appears to have pulled away from the current pack. He has a Hart, a Rocket, an Art Ross, a Stanley Cup and an Olympic Gold medal winning OT goal. That's some impressive hardware! I think based off this its easy to make the arguement that's his career and current possition within the NHL is more impressive than LeBron James' is in the NBA.
Comparisons with Gretzky and others elite past players though is difficult for 2 reasons. First, Crosby is (hopefully) only in the first quarter of his career. His position within the league is coming into focus, but what he does these next 5 years will determine his legacy, as he's entering the meat of his career; his prime years. Secondly, the post lockout era is only 5 years old, so its hard to get an accurate read on how it compares to eras past. Once we're a decade out, we can really get a clearer picture of how today's version of the NHL compares to that of the past. I know this isn't a sexy conclusion. Its scientific and its nerdy. But this is also a History forum... so its appropriate.
I think that we can all agree with your point that scoring goals is tougher today than it was during Gretzky and Lemieux's days. I also believe that we agree with you in that for a variety of reasons, its more difficult for today's stars to pull ahead from the pack, at least when measured in points, goals and assists. I don't think anyone really can refute this, and there is ample evidence to support it within this thread and throughout this board even supported by those you claim don't respect modern players. Its the matter of degree though, that is murky.
Crosby's place in the game will be defined better within the next 5 years. Its extremely unlikely that he will put up Gretzky's career points, assists or single season goal numbers, but he can make a case for his place amongst the legends in other ways. Gretzky's goal scoring for instance tailed off during the second half of his 20s, and after age 30, he was no longer a 40 goal scorer. His career goals record is probably his most "brake-able" one. Sidney doesn't actually have to break any of Wayne's records, but if he keeps developing his scoring game, while keeping his assists high, all the while leading a contending Cup team consistently, this will only help his case. Winning another Cup for instance within the next few years would be a huge boost, especially considering how little offensive support he's receiving in comparison to other elites like Ovechkin, Stamkos and Thornton (not sure he still qualifies, but you get the point).
Of course I'm just using Crosby as an example because the article was written about him; this could apply to Stamkos, Ovechkin, or any of the other new stars. Guys like Lidstrom, Broudeur, and to a lesser extent Pronger; we have a better idea of their place, because, although their story is still being written, their bulk years have passed. You can gauge not only where they rank but how far ahead or behind they are with their contemporaries, which is one of the most important factors when rating players against those of the past. With players like Crosby and Ovechkin, you know they are at the top of the current heap, but how far ahead and how long they stay there is still to be determined.
I hope you took this extremely long winded post to heart, and I hope you can contribute to this board and most of all that you don't continue down that path that leads to you having an * after your name.