MIKE BOSSY OF THE CLEVELAND BARONS
Could’ve happened, which is why the draft rules
This is how the right or wrong move at the NHL Draft can change history. Mike Bossy was almost a member of the Cleveland Barons.
“Early in the morning on draft day, Cleveland called,” Bossy told Point Blank today over the phone from his Quebec home. “They were interested in me, but wanted to know what my salary demands were.”
Pierre Lacroix, who went on to fame as the GM of the Stanley Cup-winning Avalanche, was Bossy’s agent back in 1977. Lacroix was just as shrewd back then.
“I guess Pierre didn’t want me to end up in Cleveland, because I think he threw out contract numbers that were outrageous in that era,” Bossy said with a laugh. “All I know is, we never heard from the Barons again.”
The phone in the law offices of Denis Gauthier were quiet for a long time. In 1977 the draft was held in a hotel conference room, was not televised and pick-by-pick updates were not provided. Bossy was left to sit in his lawyer’s office with Gauthier and Lacroix until the call finally came.
If it came. “There was a point when I was really wondering,” said Bossy. “The draft started at 9:00 am. The call from Cleveland was an hour or so before. Other than that, we didn’t hear from anyone for a long time.”
Guess those four years in Laval of the Quebec Major Junior League didn’t answer all the questions. Bossy’s lowest goal output in junior was 70. His highest was 84.
“It was said that I was too small, wasn’t physical enough and couldn’t play defense,” said Bossy.
Naturally.
“Hey, that’s the draft for you,” Bossy said, endearingly defending the teams that passed on him before the Islanders picked him at No. 15. “I never looked at the players selected ahead of me as being out of place. Jere Gillis (No. 4, Vancouver) and Lucien DeBlois (No. 8, Rangers) were what you’d today call power forwards. They were big, physical guys who could play defense and score. Jere and Lucien were outstanding players in the Quebec League. They were taken where most people had them ranked. (Laughs) I just felt that maybe I was drafted a little later than I should have.
“It’s a crazy process, and it was even back then when you were drafting 20-year olds instead of kids who are 18. The New York Rangers had two picks before I was drafted. The Toronto Maple Leafs had two picks before I was drafted. It’s amazing to think how it could have worked out differently for me and the Islanders. I’m forever thankful for how it worked out.”
‘Twas a far different scouting culture when Bossy was a prospect.
“Teams evaluate players today differently than when I was drafted,” he said. “The players didn’t meet with the teams like they do now. There were no physical evaluations, no scouting combines. They went completely on what they saw from scouting games. The draft is a thousand times more sophisticated now than back then. I’m curious to know if the success rate of drafting is any better. I would hope it is.”
The Islanders’ debate when it was time to select at No. 15 has become legendary. GM Bill Torrey and Quebec scout Henri Saraceno took the dilemma to coach Al Arbour for his input. There was Dwight Foster, a right wing from Kitchener with Ontario League goal totals of 23, 39, 36 and then 60 in his draft year. And then there was Bossy, with the off-the-charts offensive statistics but iffy reputation in his own end.
“Al’s perception was that you could teach people how to play defense,” said Bossy.
The Islanders made their pick and Torrey called Gauthier’s office in Quebec. The lawyer handed the phone to 20-year old Mike Bossy. The young man spoke with Torrey, then with Saraceno. Just when he thought the pleasantries were over, Arbour got on the phone.
“There’s a spot on this team if you can earn it, Michael,” Arbour said to Bossy. “Welcome to the Islanders.”
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Among his many responsibilities with the franchise, Mike Bossy runs the Islanders Business Club. The IBC has its final event of this season on May 6 in Carle Place and Mike will be there. Go here to learn more about the event, the IBC and how you can do business with Bossy. Tell him I sent you.
Comments. Lighthouse discussion continues in next thread.
67 Responses to MIKE BOSSY OF THE CLEVELAND BARONS
Could’ve happened, which is why the draft rules
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Isle_in_LA says:
My sentiments exactly. Defense can be taught. Take Tavares!
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Chris M says:
Haha I was just about to say the same thing. Great story CB. Sounded as much like a “draft Tavares” story as it was a piece on Bossy. Hope it works out just as well for the Isles
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Mike, Mike, Mike… if YOU are “forever thankful for how it worked out” just imagine how the Islanders feel! And us, the fans! The Islanders would have a different history without you… you are and will always be one of our brightest shining stars.
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Matt says:
great story Chris. man, think about how different Islander history may be if Bossy wasn’t taken.
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Swish says:
You are forgetting that Bossy has Gilles and Trottier to play with. Tavares won’t.
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StevieL says:
Wow! Tavares sounds like Bossy and Duschenne sounds like Foster. Strange, History repeating itself?
Also, has there ever been a classier Superstar than Mike Bossy? One of the greatest goal scorers in the history of the game is such a classy guy. Had he played in Canada, they would have built statues of him in tribute! we were very lucky to have him! -
Jay says:
Maybe Tavares will have Bailey and Okposo? Only time will tell, I’m leaning toward Tavares.
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Darren says:
He will have Bailey and Ok. :/
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kabbage19 says:
Swish #6 – He will just not yet!
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Frank James says:
Nice story.
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UIF says:
Swish – While certainly not the same, Tavares and Okposo could be a nice start if both progress as expected though, no?
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If only history could repeat itself. We could take Hedman with the #1 and move up to the #15 to take Tavares!
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Great Story CB!!! You can tell from my user name that I’m a huge Bossy fan … When my generation of peers talked about the Boss … they were thinking Bruce Springsteen … I was thinking THE BOSS!! Mike Bossy.
As my buddy & Ranger fan friend used to say back in the day … He’s a Goal Scoring Freak on Blades. LOL!
This doesn’t boost my support of drafting Tavares any more than before … it only illustrates how fate can be a fickle wh*** …ehhh you know the rest. LOL!!
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#6…..surry to be blunt but that was stupid. For that matter he will have Okposo, Baily and Bergenhiem to play with.
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dose says:
for me, pieces like this are the best. maybe it’s a nostalgia thing. (my most prized possession is a red titan turbo – game used – with ‘M Bossy’ stamped right on it). bossy and trottier were disassociated from the team for so long. i love that they’re so involved now, and it gives me a sick feeling to think of the possibility of all those guys not being around anymore.
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Sure the Isles had Gillies and Trotts back in the day … you can never reproduce that variable … it hasn’t been reproduced since. Every team before and after have their own unique history, and that will apply to Okposo, Bailey, Comeau, (TBD: Tavares, Duchene & Hedman)… Arbor was 100000% right … defence can be taught … where as goalscoring is an instinctive characterstic … I myself didn’t become a better hockey player till I learned defense … it didn’t matter how much I scored … my coach back in the day had heart attacks when I was in my own zone… LOL!!
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AK says:
I have absolutely no doubt that if Bossy was healthy enough to play 20 years like Gretzky did, hell even if Bossy played 17 seasons instead of the 9 1/2 he played, Bossy would have been the top goal scorer in NHL history by a long shot. Bossy retired at the age of 30. He still had plenty of years left in him if his back did not ruin it for him.
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mw147 says:
I remember the questions about Bossy when he was drafted. He certainly answered them.
As he said, there was much less known about the draft in those days. Does anyone else remember that the first reports after the Isles drafted him said his name was MICHEL Bossy? No way that could happen today.
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Joey303 says:
Bossy also had Arbour as coach, not Gordon. Back then Radar would bench Bossy his rookie year in the 3rd periods of close games, that the Isles were winning. AND he still scored 53 goals his rookie year!! I would ask my Ranger fan friends how they liked Deblois and Duguay. I agree with AK # 18, he had to retire early. At that point he scored 50 EVERY single year except the last due to his back. No one better in putting the puck in the net—NO ONE!!
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Dose (#16) … I have a Red Titan M. Bossy stamped stick also … about 5 feet from me … I used it in the 80s and it’s seen better days … much like the dozen or so other Titans I have saved over the years … Each of those sticks have shared a unique hockey moment for me … Nowadays I use Easton Stealth that is so light compared to the Titan sticks … that it feels like cheating … LOL!! I guess the same can be said with golf clubs compared to now and the 80s .. performance enhancing sports gear.
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thomaskarl says:
And who did the Rags take just two spots before Boss? Ron Duguay!
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thepolishprince says:
Take JT, give him power skating lessons and teach him to backcheck. Bossy Pt 2? If only….
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thomaskarl (21): Who did the Rags take just two spots before “The Boss”? Jon Bon Jovi!
(another Jersey boy lol…) -
blitz says:
Tell Bossy it was an absolute pleasure to listen to him on XM in the morning last year. Providing current Isles news, opinions on the NHL, and taking many of us back with little bits of info from the Dynasty years.
Hey CB, how about having Butchie provide some upcoming draft analysis on here? His take on what NYI should do.
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JPinVA says:
You have to remember that the Isles had already laid the groundwork for Bossy. If they hadn’t already drafted a HUGE(literally and figuratively) piece of the puzzle with Gillies they may not have had the same philosophy. they also had Trottier.
This team is small and doesn’t play very sound two way hockey. I have no problem selecting tavares first, but they will need to use their subordinate draft picks and the cap chasm wisely.
If Snow can push this team up a wrung or two personnel wise, HE HAS GOT TO FOCUS on his coaching/staff selections next year.
Milestones
2009 a. 30 wins b. 230 gf c. 240 ga
2011 playoff series win
2012 division win, cup contender
2013 stanley cup finals -
Spartiarti - RVC says:
So funny this sounds exactly. Go with safe well rounded pick, not that Natural scoring Freak.
Goal scoring cant be taught. Everything else in the game can.
CB, Isles fans, Arbour, Gretzky, Bossy. all people saying Tavares is the guy. I hope that Snow and Wang Agree.
With the first pick in 2009 draft the isles select John Tavares for London Nights.
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Willis says:
Nice. I can feel some hope creeping back into me and I’m enjoying that.
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lovin lethbridge says:
more than anything, this story illustrates the value of all picks. Bossy was not the #1 pick, and was barely picked in the 1st round. His set-up man was drafter 22nd (out of the first round in those days), Nystrom dropped all the way to the 3rd round, and Ken Morrow was a 4th round pick. Lets make all the picks this year and continue the rebuild!
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Jim Clark says: As a footnote, the WHA was still in existence as a separate league Were there any WHA teams trying to sign Bossy?
Cleveland Barons drafted Mike Crombeam who scored 55 games in 475 games. His son BJ plays for the St Louis Blues. -
(#25) Agreed. Our scouting staff has done a great job and will continue to do so. Maybe draft a few more Alberta boys!
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Lethbridge #26 – back then there were no russians, swedes, finns drafted. It was Canadian and American. There were also a lot less teams. 3rd rounders were at # 33 overall
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I like that “old NHL” hook on The Hockey News cover.
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Frei says:
I do believe “Defense can be Taught” was the very first thing I pointed out, the moment someone decided to use the words “Tavares” and “Hedman” in the same sentence.
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Railbait says:
Great read, CB. Thanks for continuing to point to the obvious. The Isles need Tavares. For scoring, for a face for the franchise, for merchandise, for ticket sales, and for the team to finally be taken seriously again. Taking Tavares takes us firmly out of the Milbury era.
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Dave Chyzowski says:
islanders should draft Dvae Chyzowski again, he has a booming slapshot. can’t wait..
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Madchef says:
I don’t know what I’ll do if they don’t take Tavares as I want this real bad I feel it is destiny they have been talking this kid forever. Plus with the development of the kids going into next season and possibility of a healthy DP, well quite possibly they could fight for a playoff spot or at least be competitive for longer periods.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 on May 1st, 2009 12:32:48 said:
19- i’m not trying to one-up you. was your’s actually bossy’s? the one i have was actually the man’s stick. i got it from from my brother, who had gotten it from mark hamway – an up and down call-up for a season or two (if you don’t recall or are younger than me.) not to drone on, but i pretty much stole it from my brother’s garage when i was mad at him for something. i never told him, even years later when he asked me if i had it. i still have some guilt over the whole thing, but honestly, it’s worth it. during big islander, yankee & football giant moments i actually grab the thing and hold onto it. i guess i’m trying to instill the vibes. what’s really noticable is how short the stick is. bossy was known for using a short stick, and i bet it contributed to the back problems that plagued him. anyway, i still can’t get over that i have this thing. to a kid in canada, it’s like having mantle’s bat.
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4 thehardway says:
Bossy is without a doubt one of the most prolific goal scorers in the history of the game and the fact that JT is even being mentioned in the same breath, should be without a doubt our pick and the cornerstone to rebuild this franchise on. Tavares or bust…
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Matt Scordato says:
Thank god he didn’t end up in Cleveland, those Barons teams were awful. And a poorly run organization at that. To top it all off they played in a miserable arena, which at the time was waaaay out in the suburbs of Cleveland, almost to the Arkon/Canton area. Between the arena and the state of that franchise, it makes the circus like atmosphere around the Islanders in the mid to late 90s look good.
I recall the day J. Potvin and J.P. Parise were traded there for Wayne Merrick. I felt bad that they were sent to what at the time was the backwater of the NHL.
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dose – I think getting whaled on by Rod Langway, Brad Park, and Ray Bourque all the time probably had something to do with the man’s back issues, too…
The short stick definitely helps with placing shots and handling the puck. I played with a guy for years who actually used the largest junior stick he could find – not only shorter but slightly thinner. Yeah, he’d break ‘em, but they were cheaper to replace, and he got to keep the feel of wood and save weight without shelling out for those space-age sticks.
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i don’t recall bourque putting too many big shots on bossy. langway yeah. stevens too. and all those goons they’d send out to try and intimidate him (tiger williams, dave hoyda, o’reilly, fotiu, hospodar etc etc etc.) definately he took a lot of hits that didn’t help his back any.
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streit02 says:
if you go to hockeysfuture.com and look at the Isles prospect list, they have John Tavares listed as an Islanders prospect
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Mike Bossy was one of the best pure goal scorers in the history of Hockey. I remeber watching him play. Coming down the ice you just knew he was gonna ripple the twine. Oh how I miss those days. Career was cut short from a cranky back. He took a pounding. He would be right up there with Gretzky in all time goals. The ultimate sniper.
Now we have JT. Its been a long time coming.
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CB…what ever happened to J. Potvin? I thought he was great on the telecasts doing color commentary.
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rb says:
not only did the Rangers pass on Bossy twice, they picked TWO RIGHT WINGS (Deblois and Duguay), guys at his same position, before he was taken
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Duguay looked better in tight jeans… and Bossy looked better skating with the cup over his head. You never know what a scout sees when he’s taking notes.
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Big Z's Slapper says:
The important thing to remember is if the Lighthouse goes through, the Isles will need a franchise player who can be effectively marketed. Tavares + Lighthouse = free agents and playoffs.
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What? says:
Yeah…
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318-J-1 says:
WOW! the 2009 draft is still over a month away, the Islanders have NOT said who they will draft, and the 18 year old john tavares has never stepped on nhl ice, but somehow it sounds like most of you would already like to retire his #91? jersey! how can most of you be compairing john tavares with Mike Bossy!
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MickeyBoy7 says:
Mike Bossy always was and still is a CLASS act.
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Justin says:
Amazing to think Bossy retired at 30 with 573 goals in 752 games. The greatest pure goal-scorer in hockey history. Gretzky had 894 goals in 1,487 games.
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Swish says:
# 15 – Please, do tell what you mean. I sense an attempt at humor, but with the way some people talk about the current Isles squad on this board, you’d think we were back in the early 80′s, so I am confused.
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318-J-1: exactly my point, thanks for that.
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Mike Cavalluzzo says:
I’ve been following the Islanders since ’79-’80 and I loved everything about those good old days but to be frank, I could give a crap less about any of those guys and what would’ve happened with/without a draft.
I’m only interested in the here and now and I’m tired of clinging to yesteryear…Those days and the ties to that group are gone forever, let’s move on, enough with the glorification of THEN, this is NOW!
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Joe in Massapequa says:
Mike I hear ya. Unfortunately a lot of us weren’t alive during those years, myself included. I think everyone is just showing an appreciation of what we had and hoping we can write about our current guys in 20 years the same way.
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Thank you Joe, that was very well said
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I was in high school during the glory years, Bossy was electric! His goal scoring ability was a sight to see. Getting that type of guy who is a scoring machine is something this organization has severly missed. My best memory was attending the 2nd game of the Stanley Cup finals in 1982 against Vancouver. Bossy scored the game winner in O/t, 2 seconds left. The coliseum erupted, it was sooo loud when he scored putting the Isles up 2-0. A truly great memory!
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Jethro from Finland says:
A different era and a different player. Bossy will always be great, but Tavares will never be Bossy, great perhaps, but not Bossy. Winning team’s 1st line doesn’t have one dimensional players as much nowadays than they did before.
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JZimm says:
Mike Bossy, while a great player, was part of a TEAM. The same can be said for Denis Potvin, Bryan Trottier, Clark Gillies, and any other player on that team. Opposing teams can not say, “Shut down this one guy, and we improve our chances” – That’s exactly what I want for this Islander team. Regardless of who they draft, whether it be Tavares, Hedman, or Duchene; they will be part of a team.
I am not relenting on my personal desire for Tavares, but the Islanders are getting a great player. I think that a natural sniper is the hardest thing to find in hockey. A shoot first attitude is so important, and that mentality in itself is a skill and an asset.
So here’s what we’re looing at: We’ll love Duchene’s speed. We’ll love Tavares’ goal scoring ability. We’ll love Hedman’s wheels, shot, and two way ability. So we’re not losing in any way.
To Garth Snow’s credit, as fans, we have not been led on. I want Tavares as much as anyone, but at the same time, I’m prepared for him to not be an Islander.
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Leviticus says:
Hey Frei, Lidstrom 2 goals tonight….I know…you want offense, better take the forward! It’s funny, all the great dmen are still Playing. Nearly, Nash, Kovslchuck, Lecavalier…. Not so much!
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hathead68 says:
post #25 blitz: Butchie has said (twice, I believe) on Hockey Night Live on MSG that he thinks the Isles should draft Hedman. Ken Daneyko thinks they should draft Tavares. Funny how the center wants the Dman and the stay-at-home Dman wants the goal-scoring center!!! I loved watching Butchie, but respectfully disagree. I want Tavares!!! So does our best current defenseman, Mark Streit! This draft has to be all about Tavares first and foremost. Bossy was my favorite hockey player as a kid. There probably won’t be another Bossy, Gretzky, or Lemieux. That’s OK. We can enjoy watching Crosby, Ovechkin, and hopefully Tavares be their own special players. By the way, on Isles website, ticket inqueries up 300% since draft lottery – no doubt an indication that fans are excited about hopefully having JT in an Islanders jersey.
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52 Justin on May 1st, 2009 18:48:26 said:
Amazing to think Bossy retired at 30 with 573 goals in 752 games. The greatest pure goal-scorer in hockey history …the ONLY one to score 50+ in 9 straight seasons.
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that’s the second most overlooked record in sports.
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doc says:
Leviticus:
There’s a guy name Crosby still playing… and a guy named Malkin still playing… ummm… who’s the great defensemen on that team again…? I forgot his name.
And then there’s Ovechkin… oh yeah… he’s still playing. Oh… and Backstrom and Semin… they’re still playing. Datsyuk and Zetterberg yep… they’re still playing.
Then there’s Kane… and Toewes and Jeff Carter… and Eric Staal
Well… you get the point.
There are great players still playing… Period! Wonderfully gifted offensive players… and defensive players.
DOC
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Jeff says:
Not to mention that Bossy had the same number of 50-goal seasons and 60-goal seasons as The Great One in a career that was half as long! The Great One was still the best, but as a goal scorer, Bossy was in a league of his own.
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db says:
duchenes team loses 5-3 0 g 0 a -2 down 2-0 in the series after losing 10-1 in the opening game to windsor. hopefully this will calm down the duchene is better than tavares talk.
Hmmm…sound earilly familar to what we hear about Tavares right now!