Chris Chelios and the dying breed of the early '90s players

by Hooks Orpik on Jun 23, 2009 10:17 AM EDT Comment 7 comments

This might only interest me, but maybe some of you will like it.

With the announcement that Detroit isn't bringing Chris Chelios back, and a pretty cool player watch at From the Rink about players from defunct franchises, I got to thinking....In light now of the "new generation" of Penguins champions....Who's left from the old days of the Penguins first Stanley Cups, now 17 and 18 years ago.

Chelios is the one that bridges the gap, he was a major part of the 1992 Chicago team that got swept by Mario and the Pens and Chelly was a glorified mascot for the 2009 Red Wings team that bowed to Sid and the Pens in 7.

From the Penguins SC winning teams:
Mark Recchi still seems like he wants to play and had a decent run in Boston. While the old Wreckin Ball is 41 years old, he's also coming off a 23 goal / 38 assist season. There probably will be suitors for him this off-season
Jaromir Jagr of course is over in Russia, may be interested in a return trip to the NHL for the 2009-10 season

And that's it from the Pens first wave of champions. There aren't many of their Finals opponents left either:

Minnesota North Stars (now Dallas)

Only Mike Modano is left. And at age 39, Modano has announced he intends to return for the 2009-10 season. But his contract is up after this coming season and there's real doubt if he'll continue playing after that.

Chicago Blackhawks

Jeremy Roenick is still putting around, in search of that ever elusive Cup. He'll need a contract for next season to be on someone's roster, it seems like if he wants to keep playing he'll be picked up by someone.
Dean McAmmond was a 19 year old player when he got in 3 playoff games in Chicago's '92 run. Now he's 36 years old and an unrestricted free agent from the league's worst team. Even though he played well, time is catching up to McAmmond and this could be the end of the line for him.
Dominik Hasek announced he's returning to the Czech league at the spry age of 44. So he counts, sort of.

So there you have it, the ever dwindling, ever aging group of warriors that's left from the old SC era.

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Recchi can outlast them all. That said, yeah, not really much left.

So who will be around the longest from our current squad?

I’d go with Staal, he’s the easy choice at his age, but he plays a game that translates well into late careers. He could be a Bill Guerin someday.

Max Talbot is The Superstar.
Tikka da da, tikka da.

by Phantaskippy on Jun 23, 2009 12:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Interesting thought…Yeah I think Staal would be a good choice because he’s the youngest, plays a two-way game, plus has the size and a last name that GM’s like.

I think Crosby could probably play the next 20 years if he wanted to (given that he stayed relatively healthy). The question will be how long he wants to go on.

So Staal or Crosby would be my money, maybe an outside shot for a guy like Letang or Malkin.

by Hooks Orpik on Jun 23, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At first glance at the headline, I thought you were mentioning players in their early 90’s, which of course includes Chris Chelios.

Let's go Pens!

by JDunman on Jun 23, 2009 12:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

haha good one!

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 24, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

nice :)

Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!

by ahtrap on Jun 24, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

early 90s? I think that might be too young for Chelios.. was he playing with a stick or was that a cane turned upside down this season?

by Lostincali on Jun 30, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice stroll back through memory lane. LOl when I would have “disagreement” with the BF I would go to his computer and change the wallpaper to Mike Modano which I thought was hilarious – him, not so much :-D

by CGNC on Jun 24, 2009 2:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs