skyscrape 5 Report post Posted October 4, 2011 I dunno. I'd have to disagree with you on this one. Gretzky, Forsberg, and Crosby were 5'11" and they saw/see the ice very well.Gretzky played in a different era, Forsberg retired due to injury, and Crosby is still on the IR. I won't disagree with Gretzky but I will say for the other two...maybe a little bigger, Forsberg might still be playing(not bumped around as much), and if Crosby had been taller he might not have ran his face into that elbow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stuie7 6 Report post Posted October 4, 2011 I'm 5'9, 190lbs and played in High School. There was a kid who was 6'4, 250 who played against us and I was always knocking him over. I also took my fair share of bumps from guys smaller than me. I was a 2-way forward and played right wing though, so my view might be skewed here.When talking about physical play, no doubt size is an advantage but it is not absolute; ask Darius Kasparaitis or Niklas Kronwall.Gretzky played in a different era, Forsberg retired due to injury, and Crosby is still on the IR. I won't disagree with Gretzky but I will say for the other two...maybe a little bigger, Forsberg might still be playing(not bumped around as much), and if Crosby had been taller he might not have ran his face into that elbow.It's not like Forsberg's size ever affected him, it was his own physical play that caused him issues; not the size or physical play of opponents. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted October 4, 2011 1) Some of you are ignoring the most important phrase in this thread: ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyscrape 5 Report post Posted October 5, 2011 When talking about physical play, no doubt size is an advantage but it is not absolute; ask Darius Kasparaitis or Niklas Kronwall.It's not like Forsberg's size ever affected him, it was his own physical play that caused him issues; not the size or physical play of opponents.No but the theory that a little size brings durability. He was not necessarily big, but he played beyond his size. There is the possibility that he may have less issues being bigger and playing big, than playing big and being smaller than the guy he was going into the corner. I would think at that level, as one gets older it is easier to be a big guy playing big. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stuie7 6 Report post Posted October 5, 2011 No but the theory that a little size brings durability. He was not necessarily big, but he played beyond his size. There is the possibility that he may have less issues being bigger and playing big, than playing big and being smaller than the guy he was going into the corner. I would think at that level, as one gets older it is easier to be a big guy playing big.I'm over 6ft and weigh more than 100kg, I'd be super-durable if it wasn't for my ruined left knee, right hip and both ankles..! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iceNsteel 0 Report post Posted October 5, 2011 The push towards bigger, faster, and stronger is in every sport. My uncle was a career back up Offensive tackle for a few NFL teams in the mid to late 70's, at his peak he weighed 246 pounds. In the modern game there are backs that weigh more than that, and I really don't see anyone having a shot at the NFL as an O tackle without weighing at least 300 pounds. Hockey is less specialized, but end of the day if you can get a guy that's bigger and stronger with the same puck handling skills and speed that's where the game is going. Now that said, I really doubt guys Chara's size will become the standard in the NHL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyscrape 5 Report post Posted October 6, 2011 I'm over 6ft and weigh more than 100kg, I'd be super-durable if it wasn't for my ruined left knee, right hip and both ankles..! HAHA! This is why I called it a theory! I wish I had the hands, speed, and agility of St. Louis at my 6'6 300 lbs! I would be a record breaker! HAHAH! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
