Kopitar vs Bergeron vs Toews

[Crow]

Kopitar, Bergeron, Toews. My criteria is, who would win the head to head in a 7 game series on neutral ice? I think Kopitar can not only score as much if not more, he can defend as well if not better...in other words he would come out of top.

Kopitar in his prime was just bigger and stronger while having as much talent. That's my opinion.

If that were the deciding factor I’d take Toews first. Toews was a winner, often the best player on team Canada, and the hawks, during the most critical series, games and moments of those. People can argue it’s team success in many circumstances, but not when he is the best or among the very best in those career making moments.

Of course that’s in their prime though. Different opinion of who was best at age 33.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Bergeron and Kopitar had pretty equal offensive ability, the only real difference in their yearly point totals was utilization and PP time.

For their careers, they have basically identical ES PPG at 0.52 for Bergeron (666 in 1,294) and 0.55 for Kopitar (796 in 1,439). The difference is Bergeron in his prime averaged 45% o-zone starts to Kopitar's 55% o-zone starts and Kopitar had an extra 1 to 1:30 a year in PP time.

And Kopitar may have been physically bigger, but he didn't play bigger averaging under 50 hits and 30 PIM a season

Ah yes, the only known usage of size: hitting and fighting.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Dealer’s choice between Toews and Kopitar. I saw nearly every big game of Toews’ career and obviously lean in his favor. I won’t begrudge anyone choosing Kopitar. Bergeron is a clear number 3 for me personally.

Having watched all 3 of these guys since 2008 or so I think Toews peaked the highest, Kopitar was the best for longest, and Bergeron was the best defensively.

 

[Sky04]

The one who helped bring my team 3 cups.

Why would I choose anyone else?

Because he doesn't come with Kane and Keith doing the heavy lifting.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Because he doesn't come with Kane and Keith doing the heavy lifting.

Kopitar played with Doughty, Quick, and on very good teams often in his careee. Bergeron played with Chara and Rask/Thomas and the Bruins were usually a great regular season team.

Who is this mythical 1C carrying his team to greatness all in his back?

 

[JaegerDice]

If I’m a GM, I want the highest peak as soon as possible from my drafted player.

Longevity is great, but I might not even be around to benefit from that.

So I went Toews (best peak and fastest to it), followed closely by Kopitar, and then Bergeron.

All 3 are fantastic players.

Because he doesn't come with Kane and Keith doing the heavy lifting.

Anybody attributing heavy lifting to Patrick Kane of all players surely didnt spend much time watching the Blackhawks

He had some of the easiest minutes and sweetest deployment in the league thanks to Toews handling the other team’s big guns head to head.

Which made sense given his gifts and flaws as a player. But he didnt do the heavy lifting, he was the one benefitting most from the lifting.

 

[Gordon Lightfoot]

Bergeron and Kopitar had pretty equal offensive ability, the only real difference in their yearly point totals was utilization and PP time.

For their careers, they have basically identical ES PPG at 0.52 for Bergeron (666 in 1,294) and 0.55 for Kopitar (796 in 1,439). The difference is Bergeron in his prime averaged 45% o-zone starts to Kopitar's 55% o-zone starts and Kopitar had an extra 1 to 1:30 a year in PP time.

And Kopitar may have been physically bigger, but he didn't play bigger averaging under 50 hits and 30 PIM a season

Love Bergeron to death but IMO Kopitar was clearly a better offensive player.

 

[Midnight Judges]

If I’m a GM, I want the highest peak as soon as possible from my drafted player.

Longevity is great, but I might not even be around to benefit from that.

So I went Toews (best peak and fastest to it), followed closely by Kopitar, and then Bergeron.

Why is a sooner peak better than a later peak?

 

[JaegerDice]

Why is a sooner peak better than a later peak?

Because, as GM, Im more likely to still be employed by the team when the player I drafted makes an immediate impact

 

[Kingfan1967]

Which player led his team in scoring for 16 straight years? (from 2007-2008 to 2022-2023)
This says a lot about the skill around the players.

 

[Nabrules]

Bergeron went from one of the most underrated players from 2009-2017 to overrated. The peaks of Kopitar and Toews were substantially higher

 

[LightningStorm]

Kopitar is definitely #1 between these 3 similar players. Peaked the highest IMO and has longevity. Best offensively despite not having as good of linemates and playing in a more defensive system, and also an elite defender. In the end he wins for both peak and career.

Toews vs Bergeron is a case of peak vs longevity. Toews was better at his best, being a better all around player due to his better offense. But he obviously had the worst longevity of the 3, and the longevity edge Bergeron has is greater than the peak edge Toews has.

Chicago was the best team during the 2010-2015 period though, especially with their depth.

 

[wetcoast]

Because, as GM, Im more likely to still be employed by the team when the player I drafted makes an immediate impact

What's the big advantage that toews has earlier than Kopitar?

I mean you can argue that he was slightly better I guess but this isn't a huge gulf by any means.

I also can't figure out what timeframe you are using for peak here, Kopitar was leading the Kings in scoring in his second year and hasn't really looked back.