Nick Hansen
Registered User
- Sep 28, 2017
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What do you think? Who has the closest competitor to the title of being greatest defenseman of all time or winger as in Howe's case?
I disagree. Defencemen are more and more involved in the offense today. Defencemen are required to be offensively talented and skate really well.With how the game is currently, I don't see another defenseman to win Art Ross trophies.
Indeed and this is why I don't think neither of Howe or Orr will be dethroned one day.I disagree. Defencemen are more and more involved in the offense today. Defencemen are required to be offensively talented and skate really well.
A defenceman winning the Ross is a much less absurd thought today than it was when Orr came along. On the other hand, I don't expect to ever see the kind of gap that Orr had over his peers just pure skill-wise... it's probably impossible.
So the question is basically which is better, the second best winger ever or the second best defenceman ever? Unless a person thinks that there is a really big gap between Howe and Orr. I'd say that Howe has closer competition.
So the question is basically which is better, the second best winger ever or the second best defenceman ever? Unless a person thinks that there is a really big gap between Howe and Orr. I'd say that Howe has closer competition.
I think it's more like, which of them is more likely to be overtaken by some unknown player that's currently up and coming?
I disagree. Defencemen are more and more involved in the offense today. Defencemen are required to be offensively talented and skate really well.
A defenceman winning the Ross is a much less absurd thought today than it was when Orr came along. On the other hand, I don't expect to ever see the kind of gap that Orr had over his peers just pure skill-wise... it's probably impossible.
Today, a Canadian with Howe's skill set would probably be converted to center at a fairly young age.
CITATIONS NEEDED BECAUSE APPEARS OBVIOUSLY FALSE.Howe was a smart but not fast or quick enough to play center.
CITATIONS NEEDED BECAUSE APPEARS OBVIOUSLY FALSE.
Howe's alltime draft board bio has plenty of cited specific references to his skating abilities.
Howe had 'an effortless style and deceptive speed', ' a mongoose quickness', several praises of his smooth skating, Bowman's analysis of him as a complete player who has skilled hands, feet and head, where most stars have only two at a top level, he had all three. Bill Gadsby says he's seen plenty of good skaters try to catch Howe from behind and be unable to catch up. Plenty more references. Go to the linked master bios and see for yourself (I'd link them but I'm walking with my smartphone).
That only supports the idea that Howe could play center. Howe was voted the best passer and best playmaker AHEAD of all centers including Beliveau, a skillset one most often identifies with a pivot. Howe was also voted smartest player. The fastest skater was Henri Richard, a center, so I assume you thought that's somehow a relevant source to show Howe lacked speed?
Lol. I was simply citing references against your claim that Howe was somehow not fast or quick enough to be a center. I asked you to support such a wild claim and you cited a poll that doesnt. I referenced several accounts of his speed and quickness and direct you to where more citations are.But you do not cite anyone stating that Gordie Howe should play center nor do you cite examples of Howe catching a fast skater from behind. Orr/Cournoyer, Federov/Yzerman.
It is pretty obvious that Howe would be put at centre if he grew up in Canada in recent times. That's just the way that young Canadian forwards are typically handled, even when their games seem more suitable for the wing. I doubt that he would have been brought along in a different manner than another Saskatchewan player in Getzlaf.
No, both would have played defence at the youth level today. Saskatchewan or anywhere else.
Both are RHS - premium for modern defencemen. Playing defence allows the youth team roughly 10 more minutes of ice time for their best player and a rotation amongst all three forward lines.