Why do i hear people saying the goalies of the 80's sucked?

Question

I guess all these goalies were pretty crappy eh? PatrickRoy,Grant Fuhr,Ron Hextall,John Vanbiesbrouck,
Pelle Lindbergh,Tom Barrasso,Pete Peeters,Billy Smith,Andy Moog,Mike Vernon among others, here's something to think about you can take all of the "great goalies" playing today and put them into an "80's" era hockey game playing against the likes of Lemieux, Gretzky, Kurri,Coffey, Anderson, Bossy, Messier, Neely, Hull, and many many others and these "great goalies" with their wonderful stats would see their gaa rise and their save pctg drop, so again what is the problem with the 80's era goalies?

Answer 1

its the equipment... put Moog in Hasek's pad and the Bruins would of had 2 or 3 cups in the 80's...

The 80's are the NHL glory days... the stars, the rivalries, the playoffs, the best..!

aside from Brodeur and Hasek, name another goalie thats worth mentioning in the modern era that is HOF worthy?? ...umm, didn't think so...


btw... Lessard and Edwards are considered 70's goalies, Puppa played mostly in the 90's... and Peeters never had a losing season record with the Caps'. I agree with your other points thou...

you think Hasek can role around the ice with skinny pads and get away with it? don't think so...

Answer 2

Do people really say this? I haven't heard many.

Anyone who watched the games in the 80s or videos of the games will be struck by this, in comparison to the game the past 15 years: the sheer amount of breakaways, 2-1's, and other significant odd-man rushes those goalies faced. You can't really criticize the goaltending of these guys, especially considering the sub-standard equipment they had compared to today's goalies. You CAN criticize, arguably, the poor defensive schemes of the times, though really the fact that referees actually called holding and hooking back then was a big factor. Even Gretzky in his prime would unlikely have been putting up 200 points a season playing in 1999. It still remains to be seen how the game is going to define itself the next couple of years.

In any case, I'm with you! I'd take a Fuhr or Lindbergh anyday.

Answer 3

I have never heard anyone say this but to be fair I don't cosider some of the guys on your list "great goalies".

I was never too high on Barrasso, I think it was his rookie year that he was really good and he really went downhill as he aged. Lindbergh did not play long enough to qualify. I think Moog, Smith and and Fuhr were all very good but aided by playing for GREAT teams. Beezer had some good runs but was never great except for that Panther run. Hextall had flashes of brilliance (86' etc) and flashes of brain farts. Roy was great. Vernon had some good years. I liked Peeters but once again, I don't know about great.

A few of these guys have won cups but I think Roy was the only guy to put the team on his back for the cup (of the guys you mention) Hextall put the Flyers on his back to the finals. As for the other cup winners, they could have won the cup if I was in goal and that aint saying much.

Answer 4

I don't think they really mean it when they say the Yankees "suck" its just that during the off season and the trade deadline they always pick up these expensive guys, to non Yankee fans it almost feels unfair. I mean every player has the Yanks on there list, because players know at the least you a guaranteed a playoff appearance if you join the team. In a way it almost feels like they have an unlimited amount of money... I don't think they suck, but im not a Yankees fan and I think they try to hard sometimes to win... the name Carl Pavano almost always comes to mind is that guy retired or still on the roster?

Answer 5

I believe this line of thought is brought on not by the quality of the goalies of the 80's but by the quantity of quality goalies. You named 10 outstanding goalies. Now, whether its truth or not, it appears that every team has a goalie capable of spectacular play. Some teams have a backup of equal skill as the starter. How often did that happen in the 80's. The play in front of the goalies makes them look much better then some of them are. But they at least appear to be stars. However, I think if you put Brodeur in any 80's lineup, you will see the best goal scorers of their day skating back to the bench shaking their heads.

Answer 6

It's hard to compare eras but the depth and quality of athlete in goal in the '90s is better. I would not say the '80s sucked as all the goalies you mentioned were either great, pretty good or good. Problem is look at some of the so-called all-stars: Mario Lessard? Don Edwards? Pat Riggin? Pete Peeters? Bob Froese? Darren Puppa?

OK, they may have had good seasons but some of these guys were brutal in their careers (hello, Peeters! esp. Crapitals era).

Answer 7

The goalies of the 80's did suck. Watch any highligh from that era, and all you will see is them flopping around like fish out of wather. Goaltending form and equipment have improved dramatically. The goalies who were successful back then, brought the style of play that is evident today and were some of the first to do it. The few good goalies that you mentioned above, Roy, Lindbergh, Moog, and Vernon played their angles well, and were successful.

Answer 8

They weren't as athletic, but you can't say they sucked. A few have brought up the fact the equipment was smaller, but it was also heavier, as they didn't have some of the lighter materials used today. The game has gotten more athletic, forwards, defensemen, and goalies.

And you're statements about what the goalies stats would do are pure speculation, as you can't deny the athleticism today's game has that wasn't there in the 80's (and I'm not trying to say goalies in the 80's are unathletic, but I can't think of how I wanted to say it and come out correct).

Answer 9

well who ever said that don't know ****. the equipment was ten times smaller and there where more super stars in the NHL then they have today. you have maybe 2 top super stars on a team today compare to 6 to 10 back in the 70's and 80's. and your right the goals scorers of the 80's would dominate today with the no clutch and grab style of play that started in the 80's.


GO HABS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Answer 10

People who say that don't know hockey. They don't realize that the all of the goalee equipment was alot smaller and most teams didn't play a trap. I thought the play in the 80's was the best time period of hockey.