Lemieux and Gretzky

[cbettner66 0]

With all that has been happening the past few days - im starting to wonder - who has a better chance to become the next commisioner of the NHL?? I know alot of people expect Wayne Gretzky to - but with Lemieux almost spearheading what has been going on recently - do you think he has it in the back of his mind as well??

I think it would be great for either of them to be Commisioner someday - i dont care one way or the other - but i just wondered if anyone else has been thinking about this...

[MDE3 0]

The outcome of today's events will have much to do with the future of both these individuals....I truly believe they are making a powerplay move within the NHL owners association and pulling out all the stops....if it back fires, then they may no longer be team owners or major forces within the game, if it succeeds, they may well be the new management faces of the NHL.....Maybe a union of the two franchises would be in order lol.

From their personal appearances after the cancellation announcement on Wednesday, I truly think both of these guys saw personal disaster written all over the future...so they decided to go down fighting..and found a lot of friends along the way.

Of course this is all speculation, and as I have said elsewhere, we may never know the whole truth.....but the conflicting reports would seem to indicate that not everyone is on the same page..on either side.

I even suspect that these two guys may have successfully enlisted ESPN as an ally in this move.

[kosydar 0]

If Lemieux was commish, I'd quit being a fan.

[Sven 1]

why?

[kosydar 0]

I really don't have much respect for the guy. I think he had no business playing on Team Canada at the World Cup after having not played in how long. There were other people who had been playing their asses off who, in my opinion, deserved a place in the line up much more than he did. And now hes come out and said he'll play for Team Canada again. I'd have no problem with this if he would play regular games for the Pens, but because they suck that isn't going to happen. Sure, he is one of the greatest ever, but over the past couple years I've really lost a lot of respect for him.

[MDE3 0]

It's really a question of whether the glass is half full or half empty....Is Mario doing all he can against great physical odds, due to the residue of sickness and injury, and thus actually a heroic figure, or is he simply out there for his ego....tough call. Given all the adversity he has seen and overcome, I tend to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[cbettner66 0]

I live just outside of pittsburgh - so its safe to say that i like Mario - but i dont quite understand why you dislike him so much kosydar. Lemieux still enjoys playing hockey and he is trying to support Canada as he should - most people there still have tremendous respect for him. If they think he can't play at the same level as everyone else i'm sure they dont have to pick him to be on the team.

Everyone knows that he isnt quite the same player he used to be back in 92-93, but despite his slowing down because of age - i dont think you can knock the guy - he could have easily abandoned the sport quite a while ago because of illness and pittsburgh's bankruptcy - but he loves the sport so much he didnt. Of course i dont know the guy personally, so i dont know if he does things for selfish reasons, but i think he at least deserves the benefit of the doubt.

Just my 2 cents...

[MDE3 0]

That explains his assists record.... Theo based on your age, you may never really have had the chance to really appreciate him "live" during the peak of his career, so I can understand why your perspective is a bit jaundiced.....

Before he was struck down with cancer, and even in the immediate years following, I never heard these complaints about Lemieux.. Every kid playing wanted to be Lemieux, Jagr or Gretzky..period....He was just such a great player and so much fun to watch..those who may have dissed him were usually the jealous ones...It's really only since his last comeback while as an owner that I have seen so much negativity about him.

So is the glass half empty or half full...only from his shoes could you really tell.

[McCabe#1 0]

If he had an "I" first mentality, then he would be playing for the team he owns, instead of Canada. If he plays for the Pens, they make more money because they will draw more fans. How many people in Piitsburgh do you think didn't go last year because he wasn't playing? Only playing for the pens to make more money would make him a "me" first guy. I strongly disagree and think he is doing everything physically possible for the good of the game.

[MDE3 0]

Amen.

As for him complaining about the clutching and grabbing....we all complain about that...and why....because we want to see more guys like a Lemieux or a Gretzky back out there doing their thing.....That's what made the league strong and kept the fans attention...no one wants to see "mediocrity" enforced or otherwise....We want "greatness" and those guys gave it to us..

Just because they know they did, doesn't mean they are selfish or egomaniacs....they know , maybe better than anyone, what made things so great for the game....and they are still working to achieve it.

[Chadd 916]

If he had an "I" first mentality, then he would be playing for the team he owns, instead of Canada. If he plays for the Pens, they make more money because they will draw more fans. How many people in Piitsburgh do you think didn't go last year because he wasn't playing? Only playing for the pens to make more money would make him a "me" first guy. I strongly disagree and think he is doing everything physically possible for the good of the game.

Or one could say that he plays long enough to get paid by the Pens then shoots for headlines with team Canada. I think he's doing everything possible to benefit the legacy of Mario Lemieux. He knows that playing for the pens all season isn't going to help that at all but playing for team Canada will look good. I have problems with him complaining about his hip, saying he can't play for the Pens and then being seen on the golf course. Of course he's usually healed by the time it's time to play for Canada, or at least that's what he says until it's too late to name a replacement.

[lee92 2]

i have all the respect for mario, but i feel gretzky would do a better job at running the game. he's been plagued with so many injuries, that its amazing he's still able to play and produce. and didn't he miss all those games that season because of hip surgery or something, so therefore it wasn't really his fault?

[Chadd 916]

I'd prefer to see Orr as the commissioner. He's been an agent for a number of years and is just as familiar with the issues at hand. I don't think bringing in an owner is a good idea, look at MLB.

[cbettner66 0]

i think any of them would make good comissioners - i mean anyone who has actually played the game and understands it would be better than a "businessman" who is good with numbers

[Chadd 916]

A lot of his assists were rebounds that Jagr, Stevens, Recchi, Sandstrom, etc... put in the back of the net. The guy had more talent than anyone else who has ever played the game, no doubt about it. He just never had the desire to go along with it.

[cbettner66 0]

As far as any great player goes - you could consider any of them somewhat selfish - otherwise they wouldnt be the great player/superstar that they are and have all their points.

[McCabe#1 0]

Or one could say that he plays long enough to get paid by the Pens then shoots for headlines with team Canada.

To get paid by the pens, you know he is the owner right? I think you are a little too hard on him here. And to say a lot of his assists were just rebounds banged in, is the most ignorant thing I have ever heard.

[cbettner66 0]

well i guess im finding out what people's opinion is of lemieux - i personally like him alot because of the things he has done for pittsburgh (where i live), but everyone is entitled to their own opinion

[Chadd 916]

Or one could say that he plays long enough to get paid by the Pens then shoots for headlines with team Canada.

To get paid by the pens, you know he is the owner right? I think you are a little too hard on him here. And to say a lot of his assists were just rebounds banged in, is the most ignorant thing I have ever heard.

He has a player contract for $5M, that has nothing to do with his ownership position, or it's not supposed to. Having watched a lot of Pens games over the years, I've seen him get assists while sitting on the bench or when he had nothing to do with the play. Even my in-laws in Pittsburgh laugh about it when they see it.

well i guess im finding out what people's opinion is of lemieux - i personally like him alot because of the things he has done for pittsburgh (where i live), but everyone is entitled to their own opinion

I still think one of the most telling things was when his original team restructuring plan didn't pay any of the other players owed deferred compensation.

[cbettner66 0]

well anyway... what guy do u think has the best chance of becoming the next comissioner?

i think it would probably be wayne - im not sure though

[Chadd 916]

If the position is nothing more than a figurehead for the group of owners currently making decisions, there's no way Gretzky would take it. The posiion would have to be more independant for him to accept it. I still say Orr.

[Shrek 0]

If the position is nothing more than a figurehead for the group of owners currently making decisions, there's no way Gretzky would take it. The posiion would have to be more independant for him to accept it. I still say Orr.

Although a very good choice, I can't see the owner's going for someone like Bobby Orr ... yes he has learned a lot from his dealings with Alan Eagleson, they would say he's to much for the players...if and when the next CBA comes up. I can't see it happening. Gretzky....I can't see him taking the job either...he too busy.

[Chadd 916]

After hearing Gretz's quotes since the deal blew up, I don't think he wants much to do with some of the other owners. I've even heard reports of Mario refusing to do live interviews on it.

[Jim Bob 0]

Bottom line, the NHL and the NHLPA need more ex-players calling the shots and fewer lawyers calling the shots.