Former Edmonton Oilers goaltending great Grant Fuhr is reflecting on the unparalleled legacy of Glenn Hall, following the passing of the legendary netminder at age 94. Fuhr, who first met Hall as an eight-year-old playing goal in Spruce Grove, Alberta, says one record continues to astound him: Hall's streak of 502 consecutive games played for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks.
The Iron Man Legacy
In an era of load management and carefully mapped-out schedules for NHL goaltenders, Hall's feat from the 1950s and 60s stands as a monument to durability. Fuhr, no stranger to heavy workloads himself having played 76 games in one season for the St. Louis Blues, expressed profound respect for the streak, which he believes will never be broken.
"I'm not a fan of load management, never was," stated Fuhr, contrasting today's NHL with Hall's era. He pointed out the immense physical challenges Hall faced, including extensive train travel and equipment that was primitive by modern standards. "I saw some of Glenn's old equipment... and it made the stuff I wore in the 80s seem futuristic," Fuhr recalled, noting the heavy, water-logged leather pads stuffed with horsehair.
A Critique of Modern Goalie Usage
Fuhr understands the rationale behind resting goalies during a compressed schedule or before the playoffs, but he questions the current philosophy. He argues that limiting a goalie's regular-season starts might actually hinder their playoff readiness.
"I still think goalies can play 65, 68 games comfortably," Fuhr asserted. "You baby them all year long, and then in the playoffs you want them to play every second night. It's out of what they're used to. Don't you want them used to every second night in the regular-season first?"
He contrasted the current approach, where teams often employ a 1A and 1B tandem and avoid starting a goalie on back-to-back nights, with the mentality of Hall's time. Fuhr noted that most teams today lack a true, unquestioned number-one starter like Connor Hellebuyck, Andrei Vasilevskiy, or Igor Shesterkin, leading to more shared duties.
Oilers Face Kings Amid Injury Concerns
Shifting focus to the present day, the Edmonton Oilers are preparing for a matchup against the Los Angeles Kings this Saturday. The game could see significant absences on both sides. The Oilers may be without forward Corey Perry, while the Kings could miss their captain, Anze Kopitar.
Furthermore, Oilers forward Adam Henrique is dealing with a significant injury. Early indications suggest Henrique may be suffering from a broken bone, which would sideline him for a notable period. These potential lineup changes could significantly impact the dynamics of the Pacific Division clash.
As the NHL continues to evolve with advanced sports science and protective gear, the iron-man resilience of legends like Glenn Hall, celebrated by peers like Grant Fuhr, remains a staggering benchmark from hockey's storied past.
