Is Peter Forsberg underrated?

[daver]

Forsberg drew the top defensive pairings in the playoffs, not Sakic. I think that says it all.

Didn't Sakic draw the other team's #1 line? It was more of a 1A/1B situation unlike Crosby/Malkin or McDavid/Draisaitl where Malkin and Draisaitl face easier matchups.

Linemates can be a factor too but I don't think that's relevant as both Sakic and Forsberg had very good linemates throughout their shared prime.

 

[Hallonbroder]

Didn't Sakic draw the other team's #1 line? It was more of a 1A/1B situation unlike Crosby/Malkin or McDavid/Draisaitl where Malkin and Draisaitl face easier matchups.

Linemates can be a factor too but I don't think that's relevant as both Sakic and Forsberg had very good linemates throughout their shared prime.

Nope, I’ve seen this brought up elsewhere and Forsberg was the focus for other teams 5v5. Also, didn’t Forsberg make guys like Gagne and Hejduk Rocket-contenders? Don’t know the stats for Sakic teammates really, but I let you and other fill me in on that

 

[daver]

Nope, I’ve seen this brought up elsewhere and Forsberg was the focus for other teams 5v5. Also, didn’t Forsberg make guys like Gagne and Hejduk Rocket-contenders? Don’t know the stats for Sakic teammates really, but I let you and other fill me in on that

In the face of this compelling evidence, I withdraw my comment.

 

[Hallonbroder]

In the face of this compelling evidence, I withdraw my comment.

I mean, it’s been mentioned in avs and for example red wings forums before, but it would take a while to find.. Feels like you’re set in your mind though.

 

[daver]

I mean, it’s been mentioned in avs and for example red wings forums before, but it would take a while to find.. Feels like you’re set in your mind though.

The general comment is that Forsberg faced the tougher defensive matchups while Sakic was matched up against the other team's #1 line.

I can buy a "healthy" Forsberg was slightly better than Sakic the same way that I can buy a "healthy, peak" Malkin was as good as Crosby but that you need to qualify a comparison with "healthy" is too much to ignore.

 

[Ben White]

I’d rather just look at peak than best. Best ability is far too subjective to have any importance to me. Theoretically they should have shown their best ability at their peak.

It does, best ability is basically what said player showed at his peak and consistent enough to not be considered a bot streak. It’s just that “highest ability” disqualifies all those stupid arguments which confuses best peak with best peak seasons and what not.

 

[daver]

It does, best ability is basically what said player showed at his peak and consistent enough to not be considered a bot streak. It’s just that “highest ability” disqualifies all those stupid arguments which confuses best peak with best peak seasons and what not.

You may want to look at this thread which tries to identify the absolute best stretches of hockey since the Wayne/Mario era.

Thoughts on Crosby's completely cherry-picked best stretch of hockey

Inspired by the Best 82 game stretch thread, this is Crosby's best stretch of hockey which took place between Nov. 28, 2009 (after shaking off his Cup hangover) to Nov. 8, 2014 (before a viral illness kicked in). NHL Stats Despite playing 42% less games than the scoring leader during this...

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