Bobby Clarke and Wayne Gretsky ruined the NHL, with a giant assist from Gary Bettmann.
I was just about to drop the gloves over your remarks about Clarke and Gretsky (I’d give you Bettman) — then I noticed the post you were responding to.
I saw a documentary about the ‘72 Canada Cup series where Canada was down to the Russians, so they sent Bobby Clarke out there to go after the Russians’ top scorer to DELIBERATELY slash him and break his leg.
Without their top guy Canada was able to come back in the next few games and win the series.
Clarke admits to this on camera. Phil Esposito then astoundingly defends him, saying he “absolutely did the right thing, and we would do it again.”
All I can say is, Evil Empire, be glad that WE held the nuclear football and not Canada!