Time For New True Superstars...

**Signal** · 02-28-2002, 07:36 PM

Man, Lemieux's out now Messier...This sucks, these guys have meant so much to the League it is almost sad to see them out since Gretzky is already retired...Whether or not he or Lemieux call it quits, they and quite a few other great ones are definitely getting up there in age and will be either retiring or playing at a lesser level...I think it's time for some of the young guns in the League to really step it up!!...The NHL will be needing a few TRUE megastars like Lemieux and Gretzky really soon...Two or three guys who will just dominate the NHL in scoring and points for the next few years on a consistant basis...

Jason

**P.J Stock** · 02-28-2002, 10:05 PM

Yea, unfortunatly all good things must come to an end! I hope to see Messier behind the bench sometime in the future.

**Darth Xed** · 03-01-2002, 07:25 AM

Mario has stated that he intends to play next season. Hopefully his body will allow him to do so.

**wingwop** · 03-01-2002, 08:36 AM

I'd hate to see Lemuiex go. Messier has really been slowing down from the little I've seen the last couple years. I think it's that goals battle with Yzerman and Hull that's kept him around.

**FLII ME** · 03-01-2002, 12:58 PM

I would love to see Messier be a COACH

**Captain Jeff** · 03-01-2002, 01:19 PM

I look for Joe Thornton and Jarome Iginla to step it up. I also think that guys like Simon Gagne should be able to do the same.

It just may take them a few years.

Jeff

Count Cane · 03-01-2002, 02:07 PM

Jeff O'neill for the Canes could become a consistent 40 goal scorer and don't forget about the 2 rookies in Atlanta.

**Captain Jeff** · 03-01-2002, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by Count Cane
Jeff O'neill for the Canes could become a consistent 40 goal scorer and don't forget about the 2 rookies in Atlanta.

Forgot about O'Neill, and I agree that Kovalchuk and Heatley could become the Hull and Oates of the 00's.

Jeff

**wingwop** · 03-01-2002, 04:17 PM

I think the young guns are out there. We just need some of the old farts to retire so these kids can get some ice time and headlines.

**Signal** · 03-01-2002, 06:58 PM

Yeah sometimes I think they are out there too and perhaps just not getting the press or perhaps it's just not quite that time yet...I've heard that Kovalchuk and Heatley are definitely ones to watch!!...I also think that Sykora and Elias for the Devils could be great ones if they can get it going like they have the last two years...They just don't seem to have it this year unfortunately...

Jason

**Signal** · 03-01-2002, 07:17 PM

Yeah of course I say that and now the entire "A Line" has been invovled with two of the three goals tonight!...

Jason

**wingwop** · 03-01-2002, 07:52 PM

The first line in New Jersey could be the best in hockey. Maybe not every night, but hell, who is. Those guys are as talented as they come.

**Signal** · 03-01-2002, 08:33 PM

Wingpop--They had a VERY slow start to this season but they definitely are great to watch when they get it going...The way they just cycle and feed it to each other just shows what great chemistry they have...I never would have believed the New Jersey Devils would have that kind of talent ten or twelve years ago...It's fun I know that!!...

Jason

**FLII ME** · 03-02-2002, 12:18 AM

Those 2 kids in Atlanta are unreal!

**ken_valyi** · 03-02-2002, 09:32 AM

In order for the young stars to shine and have long healthy careers the NHL HAS TO open the game up offensively. We talked about this during the Olympics, and seeing all these veteran stars out with injuries proves the point.

The hacking/slashing/kneeing/'dirty hits from behind' are taking their toll on hockeys top talent. They either open up the game or let the enforcers defend the top players like the old days.

**wingwop** · 03-02-2002, 10:07 AM

Hell, it's a lot cheaper both physically and penalty wise to take a hack on someone and take the chances of getting cought than to challenge a guy. The league came down TO HARD on fighting. There are guys who had one roll on a team in the past. Now, the league takes away fighting and fighters to make room for more "exciting" hockey by way of more goals. No one on the ice is accountable for their actions anymore. When you hit a guy, you shouldn't have to worry about Collin Campbell, you should worry about the Stu Grimsons of the world. This change in the game is single-handedly the worst move hockey ever made. When they took the fighting out of basketball it worked to a certain extent because of the nature of the game. Hockey is too fast and too personal to eliminate fighting. It's sad to see the game now in this regard. You watch guys like Probert. He could be one of the best fighters of all time and to watch him now, he's supposed to be a goalscorer??