Carl Hagelin or Michael Grabner?

[Kobe Armstrong]

Random poll - but these 2 always occupied the same space in my mind during their careers. 2 speedy wingers that played for a bunch of different teams but never my team.

Hagelin: 713 GP, 110 goals, 186 assists.
Best Season: Penguins 2015-16, 61 GP, 16 goals, 27 assists + SC win

Grabner: 640 GP, 175 goals, 101 assists.
Best season: Islanders 2010-11 76 GP, 34 goals, 18 assists

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[banks]

Hagelin was great as one third of that HBK line with Phil Kessel in PIT. Other than that run, I don't think I even remembered he existed.

I picked Grabner, because he was a thrill to watch. You could convince yourself that he'd score 2 goals a game based on his breakaway speed alone. And he was so good shorthanded, I believe there was a couple stretches where his team had more short-handed goals than goals against on the PK with him on the ice.

 

[Regal]

Grabner peaked higher with a couple big goal scoring years, but I think Hagelin was the better player in general. Grabner felt like more of a one trick breakaway pony both 5v5 and short handed. I think Hagelin was a better all around player who could mesh with various players better.

 

[kerrabria]

I watched a lot of both of them during their primes. I vote Hagelin.

Grabner was faster, bigger, and used a longer stick, which gave him more breakaways. But stick checking and straight line speed were really the only two things Grabner did well. He handled the puck like a grenade and couldn't find open passes. He looked the exact same way on the fourth line as he did on the first.

Hagelin was a bottom 6 winger who happened to be one of the fastest guys in the league. He could battle along the offensive boards, and he overall had a good hockey iq. Just didn't have a great offensive tool set. But he could be a very effective depth player and complimentary wing. Hence the success of HBK.