Fox or Faber

[ref19]

Imagine still buying into this BS notion when Hughes and Werenski exist.

Not taking the bait. You’re from Oregon. Nice state but you have a lot to learn.

 

[Jetcetera]

I dont even like fox, guys an entitled baby but he's easily better.

 

[Ace of Hades]

Not taking the bait. You’re from Oregon. Nice state but you have a lot to learn.

Just call yourself a clown and be done with it.

 

[Prior]

Pretty fair to say that Faber is not at the level Fox was at in this point of his career.

Also fair to say that Fox doesn’t belong in a conversation with all of the other top defensive names listed in this thread at this point given where his game is at this year.

 

[Breakers]

Who else besides Makar is a cut above?

Please don’t tell me you’re out here saying he is the 2nd best defenseman in the league

 

[rockymtnoyster]

Who else besides Makar is a cut above?

Hughes for sure

 

[The S5]

Faber was the 2nd youngest player in the tournament and the youngest North American, and he still played the most minutes of any player in the final. Pretty telling.

There is also the fact he is 5 years younger than Fox and locked up at a reasonable cap long term.

Faber had one good game in the tournament. The rest, he was suspect. You can thank Slavin for carrying that pair.
This is easily Fox. You know, the guy who has been consistently one of the top 5 D in the NHL since entering the league.

Hughes for sure

Hughes, like his brother, disappears when the ice gets tight and teams are finishing every check. Great regular season player though.

 

[The S5]

In his first game back, Faber played over 30:00 minutes. I would not trade Faber straight up for Fox, but that is taking into account age, and contracts.

I don't watch enough Fox to have an opinion besides the fact that i think Faber is better compared to McAvoy. Ultimately, I think Faber will end up as lesser offensive, and better defensive player than Fox.

Both statistically and by the eye test, Fox has been one of the top defensive D in the NHL since entering. Please stop posting

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Five years of what tho?

He'll never be as good as Fox. He's the third-best defenseman on the Wild.

If it were Sanderson or maybe even Hutson, I would agree with you on the age thing if the question is "build a team around."

I don't get Faber. His underlying numbers are completely f***ing mid. And everyone's gonna call me a nerd and say I don't watch the games. That's fine. This feels like Rasmus Ristolainen all over again. Everyone will get excited about the player, attack me when I point out the numbers, and then forget I told them so when the guy is a nobody at 27.

The only reason Faber gets so much glaze is because his coaches really like putting him on the ice. You know, like Rasmus Ristolainen.

He's about even with those two, frankly, hence my sticking to it. Both of those have more offensive upside obviously and both are going to dazzle while Faber at his best is going to bore you to death.

I'm glad you're admitting you don't get him. He's likely not going to 'wow' you unless you watch him a lot and totally nerd out on defense. Someone else mentioned Doughty, I think that's a great comparison stylistically (obviously Drew has gamebreaker moments and historically a top transition dman in the world on top of the Faber baseline) from the standpoint of if you're not really noticing him it's because he's erasing plays before they develop and getting the puck moving quickly. There is no comparison to Risto; Faber gets thrown out there constantly because he's a sponge for learning, essentially tireless, and will never hurt the team, he's as safe as it gets.

I'm trying to talk more about Faber than fox because a lot of people are denigrating Fox in the wake of the tourney and I think that's silly...I'm leaning far more into the age difference, contracts, and possible upside...and maybe I feel that more than most because even with the Kings we saw him grow exponentially every time he was moved up a challenge/level. I'm sure in the wake of Four Nations he'll be a best down the stretch.

 

[MNRube]

Faber had one good game in the tournament. The rest, he was suspect. You can thank Slavin for carrying that pair.
This is easily Fox. You know, the guy who has been consistently one of the top 5 D in the NHL since entering the league.


Hughes, like his brother, disappears when the ice gets tight and teams are finishing every check. Great regular season player though.

Reminds me of someone else, notably for guy who was directly responsible for Canada’s 2nd and 3rd goal. He’s never been in the same class as Hughes or Makar. Going to have to hope for injuries to make the Olympics next year. Soft, slow and not able to find a 2nd gear against elite competition