Thanks for the almost 2 minute video that featured a bump on Gretzky in front of the net, being ridden into the boards by his buddy Messier, and the hit that ended Bill McCreary's career. Thank you for proving my point.
You should stop before you embarrass yourself further. Wayne Gretzky was hit countless times in his career, just like any other high-skill player of the 70s / 80s / 90s. Today's stars are indeed fortunate to play in an almost no-hitting League where it's possible to stand around the front of the net without getting killed.
A few "highlights" of Gretzky's career, since you clearly weren't there and don't know what you're talking about:
-- The Bill McCreary hit -- which
didn't end McCreary's career, was not penalized, and preceded no retribution by any Oiler
-- Edmonton @ Boston in 1984-85 -- Gretzky was nailed really hard at the bench (no penalty). This did receive retribution.
-- 1985-86, at L.A.: Gretzky is punched hard in the head by Dave Taylor
-- 1987 playoffs: Gretzky's head is grabbed from behind by Hawerchuk and slammed to the ice (concussing him). No penalty, no retribution.
-- 1987 playoffs: About 10 days later, Gretzky's makes the "game-winning" pass to Krushelnyski in Detroit, with about 90 seconds left to play, and is completely destroyed by another hit at the moment he passes (no penalty, no retribution).
-- 1990 playoffs, second round, game three: Gretzky is destroyed on the boards by Oilers' bruiser Steve Smith (start of his back problems), ending his season
-- 1991, Sept: In the Canada Cup, Gretzky is nailed from behind on the boards by Gary Suter, ending the tournament for him (this ends Wayne's prime years too)
Etc., etc. I could go on, and there is video proof of most of these if you require it. The idea that Gretzky was "protected" is absurd. As far as "goons" go, every team in that era had them to protect their star players since the NHL didn't. Ever heard of Bob Probert?
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Back to the topic: I agree with the consensus that the sky's the limit for McDavid, as long as he's healthy. His blistering speed will likely start to reduce a bit after a few more years, but then again his skill level will probably stay or even increase a bit. The advantage that stars emerging in his era have over Crosby or Ovechkin is that the NHL is far 'wimpier' now than ever before, so the chances of being nailed from behind or whatever are very small.