The Great One

[Craft]

So what do you think? Will Wayne return?

Rumor has it he's been working out and some guys figure he's working out to see if he could make a comeback.

Now it's totally his choice if he wants to return or not, but what are your thoughts? Think he will?

 

[bigss75]

I really dont want him to return and ruin his rep. like MJ is doing.

 

[Craft]

MJ isn't ruining his rep, and Wayne wouldn't either...

MJ if anything has only added to it, look at a few of those game winning shots, simply vintage.

Plus he really isn't into it for the glory, he's trying to help the Wizards get better as a team.

 

[bigss75]

I think he is hurting the team because he is wining games but they arent good enought to get in the playoffs if he didnt play the would be near the last place gettin better picks in the draft.

 

[Craft]

I completely disagree, but that's just my opinion.

 

[Dero]

As much as I ADMIRED #99,I think he should not come back.
I tend to agree with Bigss,Wayne will never be able to match up what he was,no matter what he does,he will never be in as good shape as he was when he was YOUNGER!!!
Plus,the players that are coming out now are faster,more agile and the game is changing...
Ask anybody that has played the GAME.
I say he should stay retiered and in his GLORY!!!
Sorry Craft,that's my opinion !!!

 

[Craft]

No need to be sorry Dero, we are all entitled to our opinion.

Although I believe most athletes that come out of retirement aren't wanting to come back so they can continue adding records/points/statistics whatever it may be, it's because they truly love and miss the sport they once played.
I couldn't care less if Jordan scored 2 points in a game, just seeing him back is more than enough for me. If Wayne felt like he could still play in the NHL regardless of scoring titles etc etc, that should be enough imo.

 

[Dero]

Ok,I agree on the part where you say that he's missing hockey,I can dig that.The guy has spent more years of his life with skates on his feet then anybody else!!!!
So I can see him coming back for dat BUTT, he will never be da same!!!
He can't be!!!
If he comes back,I just hope he does not hurt himself,
THAT would be too bad!!!

 

[seyone]

this is from NHL.com

Gretzky denies comeback rumors
Aug. 2, 2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (Ticker) - Phoenix Coyotes managing partner Wayne Gretzky on Friday shot down rumors of a comeback attempt.

Amid published and broadcast reports fueled by former Coyotes center Jeremy Roenick, the 41-year-old Gretzky issued a four-paragraph statement that concluded, "I am not planning on making a comeback to play in the National Hockey League with the Phoenix Coyotes."

Gretzky, the leading scorer in NHL history and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, acknowledged he participated in the Coyotes' four-week voluntary strength and conditioning camp, which included daily on-ice sessions at the Athletes' Performance Institute in Tempe, Arizona.

"I decided to take part in the camp for several reasons," Gretzky explained. "One, I felt it was a good opportunity for me to train for my own personal well-being and take advantage of the superior instruction offered by the people at API.

"Two, I felt that the strength training would help stabilize my neck injury and possibly help prevent future surgery. Lastly, I thought that it would be a great opportunity for me to skate with some of our future and current Coyotes' players and have some fun."

It was Gretzky's first serious skating session in nearly three years and prompted Roenick -- currently a member of the Philadelphia Flyers -- to tell reporters that "The Great One" was considering following the lead of Pittsburgh's Mario Lemieux, who came out of retirement during the 2000-01 season.

"Several people have told me he's coming back. He's been working out a lot," Roenick said.

 

[Clint Calaway]

No, way. He is too comfortable in the GM position. if that were true, he would a have come back for the Salt Lake Games...

 

[Scotty the Body]

I'd love to see him come back but only if he can cut it.
I'd hate to see him return just to sell seats.

 

[I Are Baboon]

He needs to stay retired. I respect the man, and there is no doubting what he has done for the sport, but his time is past. I don't want to see him play and be just so-so.

 

[Craft]

Originally posted by Scotty the Body
I'd love to see him come back but only if he can cut it.
I'd hate to see him return just to sell seats.

This is true, coming back to help the club with attendance etc etc, is not a good thing.

From what I've read it certainly doesn't look like Wayne is coming back, perhaps it's a good thing.

 

[shooter]

Originally posted by I Are Baboon
He needs to stay retired. I respect the man, and there is no doubting what he has done for the sport, but his time is past. I don't want to see him play and be just so-so.

couldn't agree more IAB. My thoughts exactly.