Confirmed with Link: [EDM] Oilers extend Leon Draisaitl (8 Years, $14M AAV, NMC)

[guymez]

From what I remember, it wasn't really the same with Messier as it is with Drai. There weren't nearly as many 'product of' thoughts about him. However, he didn't really get the personal glory/leader accolades as much until they won without Gretz in 90, and then later on when he won with the Rangers. After that the leadership legend (whether you agree with it or not) was cemented.

At least that's how I remember it. I was 17 in 90, so it might be a little fuzzy. There was much booze and girl chasing distracting me from hockey then.

Sigh, I'm old.

I think you are right on the mark with your recollection.
The legend of Mark Messier really was set in stone after that SC win.

This team traded the best player in hockey history and still won the Stanley Cup 2 years after the trade.
Absolutely remarkable.

 

[Duke74]

It's always 'because of McDavid'...clearly showing how incompetent all these experts are. None of them watch the games.

Same with the bullshit narrative on the mains. There's still a handful of posters that continue to push the "carried by McDavid" crap. They're so desperate that they post obscure stats from ten years ago in an attempt to cope.

 

[Duke74]

Bro, why you getting so triggered over like 5 idiots prowling HF constantly throwing shade at Drai. It's literally only like 5 guys that do that in this site.

I'm not sure if they're idiots as much as blatant trolls trying to serve bait. If the mods want to cut down on site infractions, perhaps removing those posts would help.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Messier had his issues with work ethic early on. Sather use to ride him a lot and he would often float in games. Hyman had to work for every piece of success he has gotten in hockey. Gretzky was the guy who really inspired Messier to change his habits. Gretzky never let up.

Gonna counter this one. I knew Messier growing up. There were never issues with his motivation or work ethic. His upbringing and his psyche insured that. Mess was one of those individuals you meet that were good at everything, and worked at everything. You don't get his speed and skating without working at it either. He always had that. Or his preternatural strength. He was always in physical endeavor, training. He was a gym demon even in highschool. He was good in studies, he was a fast runner, good at every sport kind of athlete. He was well read and smart. It wasn't his work ethic. What it was is Mess had a taste of wild streak. It was always there, and needs to be remembered he was 16-17 when he played in WHA and Cincinnati he was roomed up with two vets that were supposed to be taking care of him. Well, were taking him to the bar regularly and a Young Moose wasn't inclined to refuse. They were sneaking back in rooms at 5am. He also missed flights but party due to being naive The first Oilers road trip he and his family showed up at the Municipal airport not realizing the flight was from International Airport. Things like that. But mess missing practice or flights (Not the only one) were more due to the proclivity of partying and then later into Cocaine.

This maybe could also be understood in the zeitgeist of the time. Wasn't rare then in 70's 80's to have dalliance with drugs and alcohol. To no fault of Mark teams were very dense around this sort of thing too. When the Oilers for instance Contracted Don Murdoch. a cousin of Messier it was a REALLY bad idea because Murdoch had already had Cocaine issues and had been charged with same. It was a given that there would be use with relapsing Murdoch around. This became a problem at different points but most significantly exposed the young room to Cocaine. Murdoch was a good player but he sure wasn't worth that kind of risk.

Finally Mess floating in games was more by Marks account due to figuring things out. He was a player that was getting burned sometimes on ice and in fairness the adjustment from AJHL to WHA was severe, and from WHA to NHL very severe, remembering he got pro at a very young age when most players are still molding their game in Junior. Mess was thrown to the deep end, had problems at times, and confidence issues. To the point that at a time Mark considered quitting hockey as he realized for him to be good at it he would have to channel everything into it. He had to be one and all consumed with hockey because the learning curve for a young player was severe.

 

[Fourier]

Gonna counter this one. I knew Messier growing up. There were never issues with his motivation or work ethic. His upbringing and his psyche insured that. Mess was one of those individuals you meet that were good at everything, and worked at everything. You don't get his speed and skating without working at it either. He always had that. Or his preternatural strength. He was always in physical endeavor, training. He was a gym demon even in highschool. He was good in studies, he was a fast runner, good at every sport kind of athlete. He was well read and smart. It wasn't his work ethic. What it was is Mess had a taste of wild streak. It was always there, and needs to be remembered he was 16-17 when he played in WHA and Cincinnati he was roomed up with two vets that were supposed to be taking care of him. Well, were taking him to the bar regularly and a Young Moose wasn't inclined to refuse. They were sneaking back in rooms at 5am. He also missed flights but party due to being naive The first Oilers road trip he and his family showed up at the Municipal airport not realizing the flight was from International Airport. Things like that. But mess missing practice or flights (Not the only one) were more due to the proclivity of partying and then later into Cocaine.

This maybe could also be understood in the zeitgeist of the time. Wasn't rare then in 70's 80's to have dalliance with drugs and alcohol. To no fault of Mark teams were very dense around this sort of thing too. When the Oilers for instance Contracted Don Murdoch. a cousin of Messier it was a REALLY bad idea because Murdoch had already had Cocaine issues and had been charged with same. It was a given that there would be use with relapsing Murdoch around. This became a problem at different points but most significantly exposed the young room to Cocaine. Murdoch was a good player but he sure wasn't worth that kind of risk.

I know that you knew Messier but early on he was not always the driven player day in and day out that his reputation now suggests. He was tough as nails for sure but not all that disciplined and would indeed dog it a fair bit early in his Oiler days. I am talking about in games here rather than in his work off the ice. In that regard I agree he was always in superb condition. No question Doug was an influence. He was absolutely a no nonsense guy.

Murdoch was a really talented player but his off ice issues were definitely a problem.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I know that you knew Messier but early on he was not always the driven player day in and day out that his reputation now suggests. He was tough as nails for sure but not all that disciplined and would indeed dog it a fair bit early in his Oiler days. I am talking about in games here rather than in his work off the ice. In that regard I agree he was always in superb condition. No question Doug was an influence. He was absolutely a no nonsense guy.

Murdoch was a really talented player but his off ice issues were definitely a problem.

I loved Murdoch the player. For sure living and playing in NYC got in his head and also that he was considered the coolest hockey player there and being invited to all the bashes and parties. Too much for a young kid. Always respected Phil Espositio involvement and trying to take care of the kid even decades later giving him 2nd and third chances in life. Back then NHL didn't help with much of anything, no substance abuse programs like today. you were thrown to the wolves in decades of debauchery where players dabbled and you were then tossed at first moments and problems. Murdoch went from NY Star to dirt in a NY minute. Must've been so hard for him. Respect too for Sather also giving the kid a chance but Sather was more thinking he could change him. Don wasn't ready to change yet. Murdoch does credit being sent down to Wichita as a wake up call among others that helped him.

Back to messier I added a paragraph in the edit. Thanks for the reply. I love these going back Oilers discussions. Just so you know on Facebook Historic Edmonton had a bunch of pictures, stories about the Old Edmonton Gardens where we used to attend games. Loved that old place.