Datsyuk - Bergeron - Hossa vs Kariya - Kopitar - Guy Lafleur

[PB37]

Is this generally the way it works out in matchups against two-way beasts with a ton of offensive ability though? Players like Dastyuk and Bergeron generally outplay the opposition even if they have better offensive ability.

Bergeron outplayed Kopitar in just about every matchup they've had on the ice too and I would say Kopitar is a little better at producing points.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

Love Lafleur. Probably my fave non-Oiler ever.


But Dats tips the scales for me.

 

[nowhereman]

This thread is starting to show just how underrated Lafleur is on these boards. No one in this poll is even close to him. He is the X factor in a list of players who all rank in and around the same level, as a top 20 player of all time, while no one else has a firm case for top 100. His prime is amongst the best ever and he was clutch AF. As Scotty Bowman said "When he was on his game, there was no one better.".

This whole "no one on line 2 would touch the puck" nonsense is just laughable parody. Line 1 would touch the puck plenty of times but a lot of it would be fishing the puck out of their own net.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

The team with Guy Lafleur.

 

[bobholly39]

Is this generally the way it works out in matchups against two-way beasts with a ton of offensive ability though? Players like Dastyuk and Bergeron generally outplay the opposition even if they have better offensive ability.

You know a hockey game - and a series, and an overall playoff run - is played by more than just 3 players vs 3 right?

It's true the first line are generally good in head to heads at limiting chances, but the second line's offense is a gigantic amount stronger. It'll still score a ton against line 1, but it'll also score a ton in other easier matchups throughout the game & series.

Put it this way - can Bergeron shut down McDavid 1 on 1? I don't think so - but even if you think the answer is yes, you still take McDavid first because he'll still find lots of shifts against players other than Bergeron, where he'll dominate.

Also - for playoff success, Lafleur is again by far the absolute best playoff performer here. And I probably have Kopitar #2.

 

[Dr John Carlson]

People keep saying that line 2 would 'never touch the puck' as if it's literally true.

But it's not, the second line will control the puck plenty. And they've got the two most talented offensive players here. It's them. Plus, they don't have a guy playing out of position...

 

[Midnight Judges]

line 1 is redundant with itself. Bergeron was great later in his career because he played with a great goal scorer and another high end offensive talent.

Line 2 is much more balanced and overall far more talented. Defense is great and all but Lafleur mops the floor with line 1 offensively.

 

[Killswitch]

This isn't close. Line 2 with an all time great and line 1 with some 2nd line players and a guy who likely wasn't the best forward on his own team?

 

[Midnight Judges]

I think people are missing the plot here.

Great lines tend to be balanced in skill sets.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I think people overthink stuff sometimes. I can’t believe line one is leading here. Line two would kick the ever living shit out of line one. The speed is insane.

 

[Bouboumaster]

Second Line

Lafleur is head and shoulders better than anyone else in this thread AINEC

Second best player is arguably Kariya

 

[MasterofGrond]

Everyone in this poll is a great player.

But only one of them was the best player in the league for several years. Lafleur is just in a different class. Insane that the second group is losing.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Kariya was not better than Datsyuk

 

[Bouboumaster]

Kariya was not better than Datsyuk

That's your opinion but it doesn't matter because Lafleur is way above anyone else anyway

 

[x Tame Impala]

That's your opinion but it doesn't matter because Lafleur is way above anyone else anyway

If you could draft either of these guys to your team, or have one of them at their primes on your team for a Cup run you’d honestly rather have Kariya?

 

[Bouboumaster]

If you could draft either of these guys to your team, or have one of them at their primes on your team for a Cup run you’d honestly rather have Kariya?

I'd take Lafleur obviously

 

[x Tame Impala]

I'd take Lafleur obviously

That wasn’t the question dawg

 

[BraveCanadian]

If you could draft either of these guys to your team, or have one of them at their primes on your team for a Cup run you’d honestly rather have Kariya?

Datsyuk might have more value in a vacuum as a center who was good both ways, but if you’re drafting the best player I think that is Kariya.

Unfortunately we never got to see how good he would really have been thanks to Suter/Stevens etc. but the guy was the real deal for a while even as it played out.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

If you could draft either of these guys to your team, or have one of them at their primes on your team for a Cup run you’d honestly rather have Kariya?

I’d take Kariya. He was one of the best players in the league and if not for getting those concussions would’ve had an even better career. Super fast, great shot. He was awesome.

Datsyuk had the better career and was a more well rounded player but Kariya was so dynamic and fast.

 

[x Tame Impala]

I’d take Kariya. He was one of the best players in the league and if not for getting those concussions would’ve had an even better career. Super fast, great shot. He was awesome.

Datsyuk had the better career and was a more well rounded player but Kariya was so dynamic and fast.

Datsyuk was in discussions as being more or as valuable as prime Crosby in 07 and 08. Nearly 100pt player winning Selke’s. To each their own and admittedly I didn’t watch a ton of Kariya but Datsyuk’s impact was as clear as day.

 

[um]

There’s 5 stars and one superstar.

I’ll take the team with Lafleur.

Datsyuk was in discussions as being more or as valuable as prime Crosby in 07 and 08. Nearly 100pt player winning Selke’s. To each their own and admittedly I didn’t watch a ton of Kariya but Datsyuk’s impact was as clear as day.

There was also discussions that Datayuk was the third best player on his team.

I loved Datsyuk, like 99% of hockey fans, but his peak was top 5 player in the world. He was never the best.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Datsyuk was in discussions as being more or as valuable as prime Crosby in 07 and 08. Nearly 100pt player winning Selke’s. To each their own and admittedly I didn’t watch a ton of Kariya but Datsyuk’s impact was as clear as day.

It’s not tearing down Datsyuk to praise Kariya. They are very different players. I think Datsyuk was awesome.

But Kariya was blazing fast, smart and had a terrific shot. He was so fun to watch.

 

[bobholly39]

If you could draft either of these guys to your team, or have one of them at their primes on your team for a Cup run you’d honestly rather have Kariya?

Kariya had injury issues. So who to draft with that is a bit harder to assess.

But at equal health - yes I would prefer Kariya. Maybe not by a huge gap, but I'd pick Kariya. I guess the one slight blemish on his resume is he doesn't have a lot of playoff experience. I do think he'd do well there, but he didn't get to play a ton of playoffs.

But - it's not like Datsyuk was great in the playoffs either.

 

[Bouboumaster]

That wasn’t the question dawg

It depends of the team

On the Habs, I'd pick Datsyuk because our center depth is suspect, but on a team like Edmonton, I'd go Kariya I think

Kariya, in his prime, was incredible

But as for the poll, Lafleur is so far ahead everyone else that it doesn't matter in the end

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'm glad and a little surprised to see the relevance for Kariya

what i came to say its going to look like a hot take now, I was going to say i feel like Kariya stylistically is a poor fit for this matchup which is an issue for team 2