Was Scott Stevens a dirty/cheap shot hitter?

[Takes Two To Tango]

He has probably most legendary hits of all-time.

But do you consider him a dirty/cheap shot hitter?

I think because of how the rules were back then those hits he did are pretty much legal.

Nowadays he would be crucified.

Stevens played within the rules and may have pushed it to the edge but it was still good hits imo.

 

[Rawex]

@Deffid

 

[Deffid]

@Deffid

Well, these days I can understand both sides of the argument to be honest. It was pure headhunting, but on the other hand, when Trouba does the same in 2024 there are still tons of people defending it and he usually doesn't even get punished, soooo...I think based on what we know these days about concussions, all the hits that are clearly just headhunting deserve major punishment, back then it was different, but in retrospect also wrong.

At the end of the day we want to see the best players compete healthy.

 

[Rawex]

Well, these days I can understand both sides of the argument to be honest. It was pure headhunting, but on the other hand, when Trouba does the same in 2024 there are still tons of people defending it and he usually doesn't even get punished, soooo...I think based on what we know these days about concussions, all the hits that are clearly just headhunting deserve major punishment, back then it was different, but in retrospect also wrong.

At the end of the day we want to see the best players compete healthy.

Going by memory Stevens did it way more often no (or very least seriously injured more players, most known being Kariya and Lindroos).

That said fuck Scott Stevens

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Well, these days I can understand both sides of the argument to be honest. It was pure headhunting, but on the other hand, when Trouba does the same in 2024 there are still tons of people defending it and he usually doesn't even get punished, soooo...I think based on what we know these days about concussions, all the hits that are clearly just headhunting deserve major punishment, back then it was different, but in retrospect also wrong.

At the end of the day we want to see the best players compete healthy.

Hitting is part of the game and what Stevens did was within the rules back then. Yes you want your best players to be healthy but the physical play is the nature of the game. Guys get hurt when there is hitting. If it wasn't there it wouldn't be the hockey we enjoy today.

 

[ricc505]

Full disclosure, I'm a Stevens fan and a Devils supporter since they sucked in green and red. My dad's employers had season tickets and we were at a lot of games. If any player on the Devils were regularly breaking the rules they would of been hammered with calls. The league changed game rules to hurt the Devils and stop their style of play.

And remember it was a different time, I still remember guys playing with no helmets. You shouldn't judge older players by modern rules and standards

 

[Sweater of AV]

No. Stevens played on the edge and the vast majority of his hits were legal. It always makes me laugh when people try to call him dirty decades later. Blame the guys dancing around the ice with their heads down. It's a tough game, or at least it was.

The guy was an amazing defenseman who was extremely capable offensively and is one of the best leaders in history. People complaining about him most likely witnessed one of their favorite players get flatlined.

 

[Foppa21]

There were a few that were dirty but the two big ones he was known for (Kariya and Lindros) were within the rules. I maintain the Kariya one, while (just) within the time that it could be considered finishing a check, was unnecessary.

F Scott Stevens

 

[Gutter Chris]

There were a few that were dirty but the two big ones he was known for (Kariya and Lindros) were within the rules. I maintain the Kariya one, while (just) within the time that it could be considered finishing a check, was unnecessary.

F Scott Stevens

F you
Steven's blasting Kariya was a thing of beauty and totally necessary

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

No. Stevens played on the edge and the vast majority of his hits were legal. It always makes me laugh when people try to call him dirty decades later. Blame the guys dancing around the ice with their heads down. It's a tough game, or at least it was.

The guy was an amazing defenseman who was extremely capable offensively and is one of the best leaders in history. People complaining about him most likely witnessed one of their favorite players get flatlined.

I agree he's one of the greatest leaders period in any sport really.

 

[Rawex]

I agree he's one of the greatest leaders period in any sport really.

Greatest leader or a pussy that loved to headhunt players? Acts tough when Domi is on the ground and ref between em, talks shit to Domi. Once Domi gets up, all of sudden he is quiet and all aggresion is gone.

 

[Deffid]

People complaining about him most likely witnessed one of their favorite players get flatlined.

Case in point: @Rawex

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Greatest leader or a pussy that loved to headhunt players? Acts tough when Domi is on the ground and ref between em, talks shit to Domi. Once Domi gets up, all of sudden he is quiet and all aggresion is gone.

Greatest leader and picking his spots in who he fights is two different things imo.

As headhunting, that's how they played back in the day it was acceptable.

 

[Rawex]

Greatest leader and picking his spots in who he fights is two different things imo.

As headhunting, that's how they played back in the day it was acceptable.

Back in the day you also fought if you started shit, yet as seen here not the case with Stevens. More than happy to hit players in vulnerable position, targeting the head and often raised his elbows after contact. But once there is a chance he might get hurt and get into a fight, suddenly he remembers you can also behave like a normal person.

Fuck him

 

[Rawex]

You laugh @Deffid but you go ahead and build a timemachine and i go back in time to fight prime Stevens during off season. That is if i manage to run him down, the coward probably runs away when i put my hands up.

 

[Deffid]

You laugh @Deffid but you go ahead and build a timemachine and i go back in time to fight prime Stevens during off season. That is if i manage to run him down, the coward probably runs away when i put my hands up.

I'd do more important stuff with a time machine, but I would drop you off to settle this once and for all!

 

[Rawex]

I'd do more important stuff with a time machine, but I would drop you off to settle this once and for all!

More important stuff, such as ?

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Back in the day you also fought if you started shit, yet as seen here not the case with Stevens. More than happy to hit players in vulnerable position, targeting the head and often raised his elbows after contact. But once there is a chance he might get hurt and get into a fight, suddenly he remembers you can also behave like a normal person.

Fuck him

Scott Stevens is a great player and going off for at least 5 min in fighting a goon like Domi without really any beneficial means. Is not good for him or the team.

It's not like Scott Stevens hasn't fought any tough guys, he fought Probert of all tough guys.

And I'm not even the biggest fan of this guy, but I deeply appreciated the way he played the game during that time.

Btw if you want see Stevens punk Domi and than skate away from a challenge this is a better example.

 

[Rawex]

Scott Stevens is a great player and going off for at least 5 min in fighting a goon like Domi without really any beneficial means. Is not good for him or the team.

It's not like Scott Stevens hasn't fought any tough guys, he fought Probert of all tough guys.

And I'm not even the biggest fan of this guy, but I deeply appreciated the way he played the game during that time.

Btw if you want see Stevens punk Domi and than skate away from a challenge this is a better example.

Punk Domi, right. Stevens shoulder/head is below Domi's waist, borderline shoulder to knee hit ffs. Then he dont drop his gloves and Peluso fights Domi.

Sure Domi got kicked out so yey for coward Stevens.

Ahh yeah a fight against Probert, sent Probert flying with a hip check. After Probert dropped gloves, Stevens spent 45ish seconds hanging on the dear life and pullea off Probert's shirt. Then hugged Probert until refs stopped it.

Like i said sure loved pick his spots for dirty hits and rarely if ever answered the call to fight.