Mario retires

hluraven · Post by **hluraven** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:34 pm

Again. #66 has retired from playing hockey. Hope this means his heart can fully recover and he stays involved in hockey.

Borlag · Post by **Borlag** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:49 pm

It was about the time. Sure he's still a great player and there aren't many in the league who are worthy to even tie his shoelaces but with so much health problems, it just wasn't worth it to continue.

eme · Post by **eme** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 6:14 pm

Too bad, penguins sure are in trouble now

. Good luck to him anyways whatever he may choose to do.

Forsberg · Post by **Forsberg** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 6:41 pm

Agreed about time, he is still a good player, but a shadow of his former self and shouldnt put a mark on his otherwise superb career. Thx for all the fun Mario, certainly made the game more interesting

.

Post by **E5150_ca** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:18 pm

Ah man, this sucks.

He was my favourite player for as long as I can remember.

I'll definatly miss him.

Post by **Minstrel** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:42 am

Lemieux is an amazing guy and an amazing story of perserverance and never-quit attitude. Not only does he have a degenerative condition (genetic) in his back but he also endured cancer treatments for Hodgkins and came back to play in the same season AND still lead the league in scoring. Having saved the Pens numerous times through deferring giant portions of his salary over the years and then taking a role in ownership as well as returning to the ice. I think the heart condition was just the straw that broke the camel's back. Mario is a super man but he's not Superman.

I think this was tipped off a bit by his deciding to sell the team last week. It's time for someone else to take up the fight and let Mario enjoy/look after his own life and family, not carry the entire town of Pittsburgh on his aching back. Best of luck Mario; the game and the Pens owe you more than they can ever repay.

We can only imgagine what kind of records/legacy he could have put together has his health paralleled that of Wayne's; I think it would have been a very close call.

OneBadMan · Post by **OneBadMan** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:14 am

Best player Ive ever seen in person and while it will be debated I think he is the most talented player to step on the ice. Gretzky had the better career with no major injuries but Lemieux had the talent. He could just take control of the game and make it move at his pace. Not the hardest shot or fastest skater but man did he have the moves and vison that were unbelieveable. Also the loyalty to the city is unparrelled in any sport. He literally saved the franchise twice and is doing his best to keep it in Pittsburgh. I could go on forever about the way he played. I do agree that he should retire now for he was just a shell of what he used to be. Before the comeback he was the only player to average more than two points a game (that includes Gretzky) and that also includes some years in the "dead puck era". I dont think we will ever see an offensive talented player like that again.

Thanks Mario

fifafan · Post by **fifafan** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 3:30 pm

I agree that Gretz had a better career, but look at who was surrounding him. In the Oiler part of 99's career, he was surrounded by amazing players, Kurri, Anderson, Semenko (watching his back) etc. Would Gretz have been as good on a less talent laden team? What did Gretz do in St. Louis, or LA or NY? Not much, imo.

Mario has always been higher rated in my books because he took the Penguin franchise to glory...almost single handedly. Granted, on person does not make a team, but 66 didn't have as much to work with as 99 did.

Thus, I think Mario was the better player, and he did a lot for hockey. I personally am glad to see him retire and sell the Penguins, because he has earned the right to enjoy life.

Thank you 66. Enjoy your life as we have enjoyed your career.