NHL legend Brett Hull recently weighed in on the ongoing debate about Wayne Gretzky‘s place in the modern era. Hull spoke candidly, giving a blunt assessment that refuted the notion that past eras aren’t on the level of today’s elites.
Gretzky is considered by many to be the greatest hockey player of all time. Despite Alex Ovechkin breaking his all-time goals record last season, the Canadian remains the all-time points leader.
Hull, who played against ‘The Great One’s and even briefly alongside him on the St. Louis Blues, believes he could easily thrive. During a recent episode of his Ice Guardians Podcast, the two-time Stanley Cup champion didn’t hold back. He scoffed at how ridiculous he felt the question, and debate surrounding it, has become.
Hull highlighted Gretzky’s vision on the ice and goalscoring ability as skills that would allow him to thrive.
“People ask Wayne Gretzky if he could score in this [modern NHL]. I’m like, ‘Are you kidding?’ Oh my God. [Alex] Ovechkin would still be chasing him,” Hull said. “It was a game of illusion. He would take everyone one way, turn up, and the whole game would be on the other side of the ice.”
He continued:
“[Gretzky] told me that he could get the puck in his own end, look up, and never look up again, and just throw little blind passes and it’d be right on someone’s tape. Because, his vision of what was happening was so incredible.”
Wendel Clark Backs Brett Hull’s Stance on Wayne Gretzky in Modern NHL
Wendel Clark echoed Brett Hull‘s sentiments on Wayne Gretzky being capable of thriving in the modern NHL. The former Toronto Maple Leafs captain shared his own experience playing against ‘The Great One’ and emphasized how important he was to his team.
During his appearance on Ice Guardians Podcast, Clark compared current players’ styles to Gretzky’s and pointed out where he excelled. He noted that the former Edmonton Oilers captain was so impactful that he could go an entire game seemingly unnoticed and still contribute.
“He’s the only guy I’ve seen out of all the greatest players that has never had to play in traffic. And at the end of the night, never in front of the net, never see, he’s got four points,” Clarke said. “Sidney [Crosby], Ovechkin’s in the traffic, McDavid’s cutting through with speed through traffic. Wayne could do the whole game not [having to] and yet, he was the reason somebody scored.”
Hull Says Gretzky’s Could Have Scored More Goals
Hull also claimed that Gretzky could have scored even more goals during his Hall of Fame career if he had changed his stick.
During the episode of Ice Guardians Podcast, Hull recalled a conversation he had with Gretzky. He raised the point about his stick and believes ‘The Great One’ might have reached even greater goal and point totals.
“I told Wayne, I said, ‘Could you imaging how good you’d be if you had a decent stick? I go, ‘You’re carrying a 2×4 out there that doesn’t flex,’ And he could shoot it,” Hull said. “Unreal. Well, that’s why they call him ‘The Great One’ and always will be. I don’t care how many goals Ovechkin gets, he’ll never get to 2500 points, 1600 assists. That’s crazy, he’s got more assists than anybody has points.”
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