71 replies to this topic

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros]

I was going through some old hockey cards and came across a ton of power forwards from back in the day like Rick Tocchet, Brendan Shanahan, Shayne Corson, Cam Neely, Wendel Clark, Kevin Stevens, etc. and i was trying to come up with names of power forwards in today's NHL and i could only come up with a handful. Is the power forward an "endangered species" in today's NHL? These are the true power forwards that i could come up with (and i know everyone has a different idea of what makes a power forward):

Steve Downie
Ryane Clowe
Milan Lucic
David Backes
Brenden Morrow
Chris Stewart
Ryan Getzlaf
Ryan Malone

I think Hartnell could be added to that list, as well. I think Brandon Dubinsky of the Rangers could develop into one. When Ryan Malone is healthy, he's a force. He's ran into some injury problems lately. Getzlaf mucks it out in the corners, although he doesn't fight very often. If Dustin Penner developed more of a regular mean streak, and was willing to drop the gloves more, he would definitely be considered a power forward in my mind. To me, a power forward does it all. Puts up points, grinds it out in the corners and goes to the dirty areas to score, and doesn't shy away from the rough stuff

Thoughts??

[Original-Six]

Jarome Iginla

[Booster313]

Franzen? Bert was at one point, still sorta plays that game.

[Jusek]

James Neal and Bobby Ryan.

[jollymania]

Talking about power forwards has to be the most idiotic forum topic NO ONE AGREES and it will always turn into a s***storm

Edited by jollymania, 27 August 2010 - 12:04 PM.

[Original-Six]

Talking about power forwards has to be the most idiotic forum topic NO ONE AGREES and it will always turn into a s***storm

kinda like every topic.....

[HankthaTank]

kinda like every topic.....

I don't know man...thinking its blueadams time.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros]

Franzen? Bert was at one point, still sorta plays that game.

Bert used to be a legit power forward. He doesn't play with half the edge that he used to.

Talking about power forwards has to be the most idiotic forum topic NO ONE AGREES and it will always turn into a s***storm

Then don't participate.

[Hockey Convert]

Then don't participate.

Yeah, I don't think the fact that some people will disagree is a valid reason to not have the discussion. Just try to at least consider everyone's points rather than getting all bent out of shape.

Anyway, I don't think I've followed hockey seriously long enough to address the topic, but let me ask a question of Bruise and anyone else who wants it: do you think the decline is due to changing rules/trends in the NHL, or is it more that this type of player is rare and by chance there just aren't as many in the NHL at the moment?

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros]

Yeah, I don't think the fact that some people will disagree is a valid reason to not have the discussion. Just try to at least consider everyone's points rather than getting all bent out of shape.

Anyway, I don't think I've followed hockey seriously long enough to address the topic, but let me ask a question of Bruise and anyone else who wants it: do you think the decline is due to changing rules/trends in the NHL, or is it more that this type of player is rare and by chance there just aren't as many in the NHL at the moment?

I think it partially has to do with the change in rules, but i wouldn't put it all on the rule changes. The game is faster than it was in the '80s and '90s, can't clutch and grab like you used to. But i just can't blame the lack of true power forwards on a few rule changes. It's an interesting question.

[Echolalia]

I think it partially has to do with the change in rules, but i wouldn't put it all on the rule changes. The game is faster than it was in the '80s and '90s, can't clutch and grab like you used to. But i just can't blame the lack of true power forwards on a few rule changes. It's an interesting question.

I think players are generally larger and more fit than in the past also. Power-forwards often rely on brute strength to barrel to the net, and that's not going to happen when everyone between you and the goalie is 200+ pounds.

There seems to be an interesting graph supporting this idea here, but I don't have espn insiders so I can't know for sure.

[Original-Six]

My idea of a power forward is 200+ pound 25-30+ goal scorer who will hit/fight on a regular basis. Pretty simple.

Edited by Original-Six, 27 August 2010 - 02:00 PM.

[ben_usmc]

The best power foward in the near future: Chris Stewart

[McAwesome]

I could see Evander Kane developing into a pretty good power forward, he just needs to hit the weight room as he's a little on the slight side (6'2" 195) but he has the hands, isn't afraid to crash the boards, and we all know and love what he did to Matt Cooke.

[Buppy]

I don't think there are fewer power forwards. I think if anything there are just fewer 'star' type players in that mold who also fight. Ovie, Thornton, both Staals, Holmstrom, Nash, Doan, and Horton are a few that I can think of that make good use of their size and strength, even if they don't fight or aren't particularly physical. Then if you expand your definition to include players who aren't stars you find a whole host of players in that mold: Clutterbuck, Knuble, Byfuglien, Latendresse, Avery, and a lot more, depending on how narrow you want to define the term.

[F.Michael]

Talking about power forwards has to be the most idiotic forum topic NO ONE AGREES and it will always turn into a s***storm

And you replied...Why?

IMHO the true power forwards are a dying breed...Rarely will you see guys score 30 plus goals, and get 150 plus pen min in todays game.

Franzen is a big guy, skilled, and will go into the trenches, but IMHO he's not a true power forward...Now Getzlaf on the other hand.

My idea of a power forward is 200+ pound 25-30+ goal scorer who will hit/fight on a regular basis. Pretty simple.

Yup.

[F.Michael]

I think it partially has to do with the change in rules, but i wouldn't put it all on the rule changes. The game is faster than it was in the '80s and '90s, can't clutch and grab like you used to. But i just can't blame the lack of true power forwards on a few rule changes. It's an interesting question.

IMHO it began in the early 1990's...With an influx of talent coming over from eastern Europe many N.American trained players found a new challenge in keeping up with their higher levels of skill...Coaches at all levels of hockey caught onto this, and started making changes to the style we see more of today with an emphasis on skating, stick/puck handling, passing, and better defensive awareness.

[Motown4013]

Yeah, I don't think the fact that some people will disagree is a valid reason to not have the discussion. Just try to at least consider everyone's points rather than getting all bent out of shape.

Well said! Its a discussion board after all, isnt it?
I'd definately put Franzen on that list!

[HankthaTank]

Milan Lucic
David Backes
Brenden Morrow
Chris Stewart
Ryan Getzlaf
Ryan Malone

Those bolded are the true power forwards in this game right now. We can throw Doan-face, Ovie (also with skill), Latendresse as mentioned, Nash also mentioned, and Horton in there for sure as THE power forwards in this league right now.

Edited by HankthaTank, 27 August 2010 - 08:27 PM.

[GMRwings1983]

My idea of a power forward is 200+ pound 25-30+ goal scorer who will hit/fight on a regular basis. Pretty simple.

I agree.

That was always the definition in the past, and I think the lack of many players like that nowadays has prompted many to include guys who don't fit the definition (like say Fraznen).

So what we have now is a variation of the power forward, but definitely not the same thing as what there was in the late 80's and early 90's.