Wayne Gretzky appears to be absolutely sloshed when he meets Stars forward Wyatt Johnston

Wayne Gretzky's reputation has taken a bit of a hit recently.

Politics aside... let's not even get into that... Gretzky's legacy as hockey's all-time great diminishes just a little every time he's on camera. Frankly, he hasn't been a great analyst in his role with TNT and it appears that the network now realizes this as he's been removed from most broadcasts lately. In fact, the only time he's really been on the camera this season was during segments featuring Alex Ovechkin in his pursuit of Gretzky's all-time NHL goal scoring record.

And when Gretzky has appeared on camera and on mic, he's been... well... how do put this? He has appeared a bit... compromised. I'm not one to throw out allegations, but simply watch this video of Gretzky slurring his words when meeting Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston and I think you'll catch my drift:

Yeesh... have another one, Wayno.

I'm making light of all this of course and I may be way off base, but this simply doesn't look and sound like the man I grew up idolizing. Again, Gretzky's reputation has taken a massive hit recently and I suspect he's not coping in the healthiest way possible.

Then again, maybe I'm out to lunch. But... somehow, I don't think so. Watch that video again and read Johnston's eyes the entire time. I think he's thinking the same thing I'm thinking: The Great One is sloshed... allegedly.