Gretzky "no checked" during his career

[Nostalgic Nerd]

Anyone else agree with the theory that the NHL couldn't afford to see their star player (and ultimately the cork holding the revenue pool) injured and therefore allowed him to skate freely alot of the time. I wouldn't want to say he wasn't ever checked, because I'm sure he was. Nor would I want to say he wasn't the greatest pure talent ever, because he was. I just don't believe it was an option with the NHL. <p>"Dream as if you'll live forever; Live as if you'll die today." --James Dean</p><i></i>

[BearPower]

Best pure talent was Mario Lemieux or Bobby Orr...Wayne Gretzky wa sthe smartest hockey player of all time. I do agree he was able to roam freely without having to keep his head up. <p></p><i></i>

[birdmister]

I do know only won player had the [insert word for male genitalia] to fight him. And that player, a Minnesotan by the name of Neal Broten. <p>I know a tie is a lot like kissing your sister, but think of it more like kissing a really hot step-sister.</p><i></i>

[ThunderStorm22]

Gretzky was not checked because he had a line mate named 'Dave Semenko' and later 'Marty McSorley' that were decent linemates but their primary purpose was to protect 'The Little One'. I think without Dave Semenko on the ice with Wayne Gretzky, Gretzky gets flattened or slashed and has a much shorter career...<br><br>I remember in the early 1980's when the Colorado Rockies still had a NHL team a guy named Kevin Maxwell played a tight checking game against Gretzky who consequently went scoreless and the Rockies beat the Oilers that night. It was one of two games that season that Gretzky did not have a point in! During the next matchup, Semenko beat Maxwell in oblivion from which Maxwell never really recovered. <br> <p></p><i></i>

[Nostalgic Nerd]

I have a hard time believing the instructions didn't come from upstairs. <p>"Dream as if you'll live forever; Live as if you'll die today." --James Dean</p><i></i>

[hawkfan70]

sounds like the NHL was just like the WWF<br><br><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:black;font-size:xx-large;">FIXED</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--></strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br><br> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/glasses.gif ALT="8)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

[PuckU126]

Pro wrestling is and was real... like Santa. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br><!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :smokin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smokin.gif ALT=":smokin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p>The Puck – aka: The self-proclaimed People’s Champion<br></p><i></i>

[Nostalgic Nerd]

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr> Pro wrestling is and was real... like Santa.<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>And even better, no one ever got hurt.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br>All I can say about the NHL is it is a business, first, and game, second. <p>"Dream as if you'll live forever; Live as if you'll die today." --James Dean</p><i></i>

[boblee]

I don't think Wayne was "no checked" I think he was too good and too smart to ever get hit. <p>Grand Rapids-2006 State Runner Up</p><i></i>

[PASTRAPIDSFAN]

HE WAS ALWAYS PROTECTED <p></p><i></i>

[puckstuff9]

Schroeder reminds me of Gretzky in that I have never seen the kid take a big hit. <p></p><i></i>

[upnort88]

Potvin laid out Gretzky with one of the most devastating hits you'll ever see. LIGHTS OUT!! That was back in the early 80's sometime. <p></p><i></i>

[FutureSeaWolve]

Gretzky wasn't even the best Bobby orr was.<br><br><!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

[MNHSPUCK]

ha, funny joke <p></p><i></i>

[slapshooter]

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Gretzky got cr<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :x --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/sick.gif ALT=":x"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> sschecked from behind in L.A. and he was <br><br>hurt pretty bad in his lower back!</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br><br><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Get a clue!</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rolleyes --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br><br><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>S<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> S</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> <p></p><i></i>