Thoughts on Rob Blake?

[gotyournose]

What did you think of Rob Blake when he was at his peak? Also who would be a perfect defensive partner for him? Who would you rank as better between him, Drew Doughty and Shea Weber while the three were at their peaks?

I always thought people were a little biased towards him at times because he was a 6'4 225 pound RHD good ol'Ontario boy who was an elite defenceman. Almost a let's overlook his mistakes kind of thing with him. He sometimes made bonehead players and didn't at times have the best defensive IQ or judgement. Had a good butt check. Absolute rocket of a Slapshot. Great PP weapon. Would have loved to have him on my team. I always preferred Pronger, Niedermayer, Chelios, MacInnis over him though.

He did win the Norris, was voted best defenceman at the 98 Olympics, won gold with Canada and was generally considered an elite defenceman for a good portion of his career.

 

[Nerowoy nora tolad]

He seems to have developed a reputation as a very rich mans Dion Phaneuf in recent years, or at least I get that impression from reading this board. Had very high end offensive and physical skills, but not the greatest mind for the game and reputed to be a bit lacking defensively.

I remember him being very highly regarded when I was a kid, but I was too young to really tell if his reputation was overly inflated at the time.

 

[Retire91]

I am actually shocked he is only listed as 6'3'' I remember him being a tower on the ice maybe players were smaller back then or my memory isn't what it used to be.

 

[Big Phil]

I am actually shocked he is only listed as 6'3'' I remember him being a tower on the ice maybe players were smaller back then or my memory isn't what it used to be.

Blake for whatever reason had a high waist from what I remember. I say this because I remember his hip check but I also remember a comment Brendan Shanahan said - who was 6'3" as well - that he never understands how Blake did it but he could make it that his butt would level you in the chest area without leaving his feet. This is just how Blake caught you along the boards.

I remember thunderous hits from him because of this. Always clean, would be clean today too, and it almost seemed like a lost art then, let alone now. I found a clip that I often think epitomizes Blake's defensive/physical style. The 2002 Olympics, Canada/Germany round robin game. Canada is up 3-0 and is cruising along but this goal got the Germans back in the game and they eventually made the game close. Blake throws a thunderous hit but does get himself out of position to allow the goal too. 56:45 of video


Once in a while this happened with Blake. I don't think it took away from his physical game, but the odd time he could go for the big hit but be out of place for a goal. Not often, of course, and you still wouldn't want him to change his game but I can remember specifically saying after that goal "Ah Blake, stay in position!"

Sometimes he needed the right defense partner for that too. Either way there isn't a lot of difference between him and Weber and Doughty at their best. You were in good shape if either one of them was your best defenseman and they were more than capable of aiding a struggling team.

 

[The Panther]

I liked him, he was really talented and skilled. Had the complete tool-set, plus the size.

But, as per the consensus, he didn't always have great positioning, and sometimes made poor choices. Worth remembering he entered the League on the Gretzky Kings, one of the worst defensive teams in memory.

 

[gotyournose]

Blake for whatever reason had a high waist from what I remember. I say this because I remember his hip check but I also remember a comment Brendan Shanahan said - who was 6'3" as well - that he never understands how Blake did it but he could make it that his butt would level you in the chest area without leaving his feet. This is just how Blake caught you along the boards.

I remember thunderous hits from him because of this. Always clean, would be clean today too, and it almost seemed like a lost art then, let alone now. I found a clip that I often think epitomizes Blake's defensive/physical style. The 2002 Olympics, Canada/Germany round robin game. Canada is up 3-0 and is cruising along but this goal got the Germans back in the game and they eventually made the game close. Blake throws a thunderous hit but does get himself out of position to allow the goal too. 56:45 of video


Once in a while this happened with Blake. I don't think it took away from his physical game, but the odd time he could go for the big hit but be out of place for a goal. Not often, of course, and you still wouldn't want him to change his game but I can remember specifically saying after that goal "Ah Blake, stay in position!"

Sometimes he needed the right defense partner for that too. Either way there isn't a lot of difference between him and Weber and Doughty at their best. You were in good shape if either one of them was your best defenseman and they were more than capable of aiding a struggling team.

It happened once in a while, but enough for it to be part of his legacy and part of our memories of him. He just wasn't at times a high IQ defenceman, would make bonehead meathead plays that would lead to a goal against.

When I think back at the 2002 Olympics, the two Canadian defenceman I'd be most worried about making a stupid play are Blake and jovo. Not Pronger, Niedermayer, MacInnis or Foote (idk about Brewer) because when it came down to crunch time those players had a high enough intelligence level to realize they couldn't play stupid or risky

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

late career rob blake got more leeway from the refs for totally blatantly holding, slashing, and cross-checking opposing forwards than anyone i've ever seen. it was extremely frustrating and the sharks used to put him out there at the end of close games because they would let him and only him just maul guys like it was still 2003.

 

[gotyournose]

late career rob blake got more leeway from the refs for totally blatantly holding, slashing, and cross-checking opposing forwards than anyone i've ever seen. it was extremely frustrating and the sharks used to put him out there at the end of close games because they would let him and only him just maul guys like it was still 2003.

I guess him and Pronger got the grandfather clause