---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In Detroit, Ned [Harkness] kept talking…"
description: "\"In Detroit, Ned [Harkness] kept talking about a new concept, and when I'd ask him what he meant he never gave me the right answer. Now, take Bobby Hull..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0de/frank-mahovlich-98648_answers_in-detroit-ned-harkness-kept-talking-abo_291132.png"
---

#  In Detroit, Ned \[Harkness\] kept talking about a new…

![“In Detroit, Ned &#91;Harkness&#93; kept talking about a new concept, and when I'd ask him what he meant he never gave me the right answer. Now, take Bobby Hull. Give him a puck, a stick and a pair of skates and put him on your team. Do you need a new concept?” quote by Frank Mahovlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0de/frank-mahovlich-98648_answers_in-detroit-ned-harkness-kept-talking-abo_291132.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0de/frank-mahovlich-98648_answers_in-detroit-ned-harkness-kept-talking-abo_291132.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0de/frank-mahovlich-98648_answers_in-detroit-ned-harkness-kept-talking-abo_291132.png)

> “In Detroit, Ned \[Harkness\] kept talking about a new concept, and when I'd ask him what he meant he never gave me the right answer. Now, take Bobby Hull. Give him a puck, a stick and a pair of skates and put him on your team. Do you need a new concept?”

Frank Mahovlich

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A new concept isn’t needed when proven talent already exists; focus on applying known strengths.

**In simple terms:** Use existing skills effectively.

Key Takeaway

Leverage proven abilities.

Themes

talent practicality innovation experience team

Mood

analytical pragmatic

Type

Answers:0 Asks:0 Concepts:0 Detroit:0 Giving:0 Hockey:0 Hull:0 Needs:0 Pairs:0 Puck:0 Right answers:0 Skates:0 Sticks:0 Talking:0 Team:0 New Concept:0 Hull Puck:0 Bobby Hull:0 Answer Bobby:0 Concept Ask:0

When to use this quote

- sports coaching
- team building
- project staffing

Key Concepts

skill application real‑world performance selection strategy

Questions to Reflect On

- When should you seek new ideas versus using proven talent?
- How do you decide which players to trust?

A Different Perspective

Over‑reliance on talent may ignore novel solutions.

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[Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Hockey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hockey/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/)

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