Mark Messier- Tough or Dirty?

[Joser Jose]

Love Messier but he was dirty beyond belief. Bobby Clarke with muscles.*

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

But like said before you mess with certain guys and you have an entire team you have to look out for. An messier would of scott stevens him.

Come to think of it. Its not really like that in todays NHL. Some teams. Others not so much anymore. So could we use more guys like messier in todays NHL ? His mentality and what he brought.. Or not ? Todays nhl is filled with cheap shot artist and pests.
but I wouldnt call messier a pest sota speak.

[lilburtis9363]

Originally Posted by rondo

One guy that I'm surprised never pushed the envelope harder with messier is lindros . I know that lindros looked up to messier but they had some serious battles in the Philly/ranger days and jawed at each other on many occasions.

I was surprised Lindros never went after him either. I think they both had that respect for eachother, plus Langdon Beukeboom and graves would never let this happen

[blockerpunch]

Originally Posted by Habs # 1

"Betcha can't eat just one"

Are you saying Messier had a 'chip' on his shoulder?

[lilburtis9363]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=r...&v=BNS_k7jWDqE


http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=r...&v=SbuYFx4dPnw

Mark Messier drills Mike Hough from behind -...

Definitely not dirty

[Cat Smasher]

There is nothing I can add that hasn't been said, but enjoy the reads. Yes he was dirty for sure, but back then I think honestly most guys were, but it's obviously more noticeable, or more attention is brought to it because of the name on the back. I mean who hasn't thrown a questionable elbow or a little stick work? Good reads thanks again all.

[bigjack]

Must of missed this thread.
Messier was both tough and dirty and the fact that he was dirty made him tougher because he was given alot more room. Being so strong and fast also made him very dangerous because he could really hit you with alot of force when he wanted to!
I would call a Bryan Trottier or Hillard Graves much more reckless and dirty than a Messier because those rat bastards looked to end careers with knee hits that were done on purpose.
Intimidation was a part of Messier's game to gain an edge!

[I like Boobs]

After hockey, Hilliard Graves went back to the Maritimes and races harness horses in Prince Edward Island.

Btw Jack you'd be tickled to know that there was a horse racing at the Meadowlands (harness) named Nick Fotiu. He was in the other night with a horse called Old Time Hockey. I think they were second and third in a blanket photo finish.

[pesadillamal]

Originally Posted by I like Boobs

After hockey, Hilliard Graves went back to the Maritimes and races harness horses in Prince Edward Island.

Btw Jack you'd be tickled to know that there was a horse racing at the Meadowlands (harness) named Nick Fotiu. He was in the other night with a horse called Old Time Hockey. I think they were second and third in a blanket photo finish.

With Fotiu's history of fighting rookies I would bet that horse was a winner racing against maidens.

I won some good money on a horse named Sean Avery a couple times. A horse named John Scott ran in the Santa Anita Derby this year. He ran like his namesake though.

[I like Boobs]

Originally Posted by pesadillamal

With Fotiu's history of fighting rookies I would bet that horse was a winner racing against maidens.
.

That was gold. Well played!

[bigjack]

Originally Posted by I like Boobs

After hockey, Hilliard Graves went back to the Maritimes and races harness horses in Prince Edward Island.

Btw Jack you'd be tickled to know that there was a horse racing at the Meadowlands (harness) named Nick Fotiu. He was in the other night with a horse called Old Time Hockey. I think they were second and third in a blanket photo finish.

Cool, did the horse toss hay or sugar cubes to the crowd before the race like Nicky used to toss pucks?

[GassiusClay]

If by 'tough' you mean 'good fighter', I will go against everyone who says he was both.
He wasn't
He was a marginal fighter at best for his size.
In a line brawl vs the Jets Laurie Boschman (the born again Christian version) had Messier on his back and could have beat him to a pulp if his Oiler mates didn't jump in.

Not taking anything away from Messier as a player and/or leader....but I can't for the life of me understand the double standard that must exist for people here to say 'he was both' (if you're referencing his fighting ability).

I know this might offend some people, but his fighting ability is on par with a guy like Jaarko Ruutu.

Look at the video above where he's challenged by Larry Robinson, with no one around to interfere, or refs to save him. What does he do? He threatens to swing his stick like a baseball bat if Robinson comes in for a fight. That's the cheap chickenshit antics a guy like Jaarko Ruutu would pull.

"Both' my ass. He was an absolute pussy when it came to fighting.

[BaddaBing Badda Boom]

Originally Posted by I like Boobs

That was gold. Well played!

LOL Fotiu is lambasted and lampooned for his entire fight card and DB is lauded and elevated to saint-hood based on one-fourth of his card...As moderator/administrator you should be less with the editorializing and more like John D'Amato and just break up the fights.. your biases take away any credibility you may think you have earned as a just, and fair arbitor...you know like vanna white, no one knows how she thinks she just turns the cards

[I like Boobs]

Everyone is having a laugh and enjoying the site. You're welcome to leave at anytime.

You have your opinions, I have my own. History has proven time and again which ones are more valued by the people here.

[2,5,10GameMatch]

Messier?? Tough AND Dirty!!

I grew up dispising the guy mainly because my Leafs were always blown out by them but honestly he is the only guy I ever saw Wendel Clark "bounce off" in a mid-ice collision, I doubt there was ever a more solid guy on his skates and that factor alone is as intimidating as hell because if he swoops in on you pissed off?? guaranteed hurting.

Overrated as a fighter but the man has a pair of crazy eyes, sometimes all you need is crazy eyes to get the point across.