Are "old school" NHL players tougher than "new rules" players?

Question

Can you really compare Bure to Datsyuk?
Man I have been arguing with my friends about this topic. O.k. think of it this way... with the new rules (less physical play/more speed and goals/points) and new equipment (super light skates/one piece sticks) guys like Roenick and Bure who played in the old NHL would have well over 500 goals already. Remember, the likes of Yzerman, Gilmour, Andreychuk, Selanne etc. etc. had to fight past the big open ice hits delivered by Scott Stevens, the hooking and holding. They weren't BLESSED with power play after power play oppurtunites. Getting in the league at the age of 19 was a FEAT! Now a days there are like 6 guys at 19 playing, Hawks just drafted one. Think of Lemieux playing through his injuries back then. Sadly (because I'm old school), I hate hearing comments from fans about players maybe playing past their prime, saying hang them up etc. etc. -Roenick- Man let the guy get his 500 and retire after how he played in that rough and tough hockey

Answer 1

When you mean old school you should go way further back than the early 90's. The players of the 40's, 50's, and 60's were much, much tougher than modern players. They wore almost no equipment, didn't have doctors telling them not to play, and would routinely play with concussions and other serious injuries.

Even look at the goalies. Even Roy in 93 vs. Giguere now. The equipment is 3X the size.

But still - hockey players are the toughest athletes in the major sports. For example - last year Fedoruk was knocked senseless (I think the punch also broke his orbital bone). He waved off a stretcher and skated off the ice. Dwayne Wade in the NBA separates his shoulder and gets pushed off in a wheelchair crying (and before anyone flames me - I mildly separated my shoulder playing goalie in a roller league and didn't come out of the game).

The modern player has been afforded much better chances to score (with better equipment and more open play) but has to deal with oversized goalie equipment. The installation of the instigator rule has also made playing dirty hockey more common because retribution won't be as swift.

But there has always been 18 and 19 year olds making teams. They might start on the fourth line, but they made it. That part hasn't changed too much.

Answer 2

I'm sorry to say that a debate over the relative toughness of a Bure vs. a Datsyuk is not going to make for a very long conversation. That's like asking who's a better skater, Sandy Moger or Matt Johnson?

The 'Old School' you refer to ('80s-'90s) was not so old, really. It was also a relative walk in the park compared to previous generations, but certainly more gritty than today's game. In that sense you are correct.

I only take exception to one name you have chosen to construct your argument with, Andreychuk. He would not be able to keep up with today's game and may never have had the career he did if forced to play a skater's game.

Answer 3

It's difficult to compare. The game in the 80s, for example (an old rules time) was faster and higher scoring then the game is now. the new rules are trying to get the game back to that time. in the 90s it was hook and hold... that game changes over time. If you're lamenting the old days, why don't' we go ahead and bring back the wanderer? how bout changing the faceoffs to one circle in the middle?

Saying that any given old school player could have scored 500 these days is ridiculous. The game fluctuates. learn to live with it. Styles change. Some styles are better for the sport then others though.

Answer 4

I think so. There was a different code of conduct back when visors and helmets were not the norm. If you got your stick up you could expect to drop your gloves for it. With the influx of european players, the gloves don't drop anymore but the stickwork is now way out of hand.
You're not tough if you use your stick to send a message and there's no room in the game for that crap. That's where fighting came from and that's why it's still in the game. Sometimes a penalty isn't enough of a deterent. But a broken nose will set those offenders straight.

Answer 5

All you gotta do is look at Steve Yzerman and Pavel Datsyuk. Yzerman would get in front of pucks, putting his body on the line, taking hits and stuff, just to win the cup. Datsyuk, on the other hand, had that moment in the playoffs where he covered his face and his (special area) when trying to block a slapshot, which caused some good natured ribbing from Don Cherry.

Answer 6

no doubt about it, old school hockey was far tougher, but would the scoring really be any better in today?

remember checks create turnovers, turnovers creat odd man rushes, and odd man rushes creat goals, today in order to make a hit that counts you have to wait till he has the puck, standing 3 feet from the wall, facing you, and you cant take the last three steps towards him, all we are missing is the signed permission slip, so i dont know if a tough guy could score in no tough guy league

Answer 7

These days, players are trained differently with the new and more strict rules. The game has changed so much and they need to focus on deffierent aspects. But, if the game didn't change, I think the players today would have been just has tough.

Answer 8

Old school, hands down. The NHL has been "wussified" because of Bettman. Almost (keyword) makes me wish Eagleson was still around to put Stumpy back in his place.

Answer 9

no way!
that can't be true.
i mean seriously. look at the new guys: sidney crosby, lundqvist, dany heatley.
they're new, sure, but they've just as much potential as the old school guys. if not, better.

Answer 10

All I have to say is Steve Larmer. Don't see guys like him anymore.