NASHVILLE, Tenn – The Greatest NHL Team has come from the NHL’s Centennial year celebration in 2017.
Wayne Gretzky – Photo by Don.Haas@prohockeynews.com
After selecting the top players in the league’s history the NHL announced its Greatest NHL Team in history.
The 1984-85 Edmonton Oilers were selected by NHL fans as the Greatest NHL Team in league history.
Those Oilers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 to win their second straight Stanley Cup.
Wayne Gretzky made an appearance at the Bridgestone Arena ahead of Game 4 Monday night in Nashville.
Gretzky is an ambassador for the NHL’s Centennial Year.
Gretzky said he might have voted for the 87-88 Oilers but otherwise would have voted fore the Montreal Canadiens from
“For our team, we were unselfish,” Gretzky said of his team in 1984-85.
Asked about scoring and the lack of 50-goal scorers this season, Gretzky referred to goalies like Ken Dryden, Grant Fuhr and Martin Brodeur who changed the game in the 80’s and how the goalie is now the best athlete on the team.
That change has led to a new game and scoring is challenged by two-way players like Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid.
Gretzky was asked about comparing his teams form the 80’s to today’s players and he referred to how big some of the players are now and how much faster and stronger they are compared to his own teammates as well as the coaching and equipment.
Paul Coffey attended the media event as well and was asked about head shots and keeping them under control.
Coffey said he thought it was an issue of the game being so big and strong and how the game is “fast”.
Gretzky was asked about the historical significance of the New York Islanders that had defeated the Oilers in the Final in 83-84.
“Witho9ut the Islanders, there would be no Oilers,” Gretzky said. “They were our model and the reason we won because of how they played.”
Charles Barkley joined the podium and talked about how the great players make it easier for the re3st of the team.
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