Here's one moment from yesterday's postgame Team Canada press conference that I couldn't help but notice:
It took the mention of [Alexander] Ovechkin to bring a slight smile to [Wayne] Gretzky's thin, chewed lips."He's the only guy I've ever coached against who blew me a kiss,'' he recalled of an NHL game this season.
The modest levity was welcome. But when someone asked Gretzky if he thought Ovechkin was the best player in the world today, The Great One showed that he's still protective of his own reputation astride the game.
"Right now he's the most exciting.'' Pause. "When he wins four Stanley Cups, I'll put him up there.''
I wonder what Ovechkin's reaction will be when he hears this?
Thanks to our old buddy Reemer for the pointer.
Not fair, Wayne. After all, for the first half of the Eighties *you* were the greatest player in the world, although *you* didn’t yet have your name engraved on Lord Stanley’s Cup.
While there is a sly humor in what Gretzky says, it is worth nothing some potholes in his statement.
While Ovechkin has a long way to go to be the best player in the world (and if he isn’t it won’t be for lack of talent), but to somehow tie his status to that of his rebuilding team is unfair.
Gretzky is the best player in the history of the game, but let us not forget he played his prime in the free wheeling, shin pad on goalie 1980′s with Messier, Coffey, Kurri and a handful of other hall of famers who WON A CUP AFTER HE LEFT. It was no 2006 Caps or even 1998 Caps.
The Ovechkin/Crosby race has been long over and Ovechkin is not only the best rookie, but clearly as an individual talent, in the top ten in the league right now, and as Great One says, the most exciting player in the league, but let’s not Wayne underestimate what this guy is and could become because he is in his first year.
Heh…maybe Wayne’s just being careful — I seem to recall he touted Jagr as the “best player in the world” (or something similarly superlative) right before he retired. Also right before Jagr when into a tailspin of suckitude that led to his departure from Pittsburgh, and eventually from Washington.
HMMMMMM, Gretz has the right to be modest, so for all of you that think Ovechkin is the best in the world and will be better than Wayne, HA!!!!!!! one pharse: Check his league records!