Pk1 vs Pk2 vs Pk3 vs Pk4

[Ben White]

Which pk line would be your go to shorthanded concept?

(Based on players who entered their prime post or earliest right before the ‘94 lockout)

Pk1:
Bergeron - Marchand
Pronger - Vlasic

Pk2:
Forsberg - Zetterberg
Lidstrom - Hjalmarsson

Pk3:
Datsyuk - Fedorov
Gonchar - Zubov

Pk4:
Kesler - Tkachuk
Chelios - Schneider

 

[The Moose is Loose]

Swedes look like they have the best combination of balance and talent

 

[biturbo19]

I kinda lean toward the US crew for this. I'm not really so worried about "upside" and "talent" in a PK quartet. Less concerned with trying to get creative and score goals shorthanded. I just want effective killing of the penalty and applying the pressure to get that done. That American group looks pretty solid in that capacity, and well suited to the role.

The Canadian quartet is hard to beat though.

 

[bobholly39]

I kinda lean toward the US crew for this. I'm not really so worried about "upside" and "talent" in a PK quartet. Less concerned with trying to get creative and score goals shorthanded. I just want effective killing of the penalty and applying the pressure to get that done. That American group looks pretty solid in that capacity, and well suited to the role.

The Canadian quartet is hard to beat though.

Schneider was never really great defensively though, was he? I think he was better offensively. Canada/Sweden have the 2 best defensemen here easily (Pronger + Lidstrom) - if one of Russia or US had 2 great defensive D to make up for the star power, maybe, but neither duo screams great at defense to me. So edge to Sweden or Canada. I also don't like the US forwards tbh - Kesler is good (but not the best here), but not sure how Tkachuk does compared to others.

Russia forwards are fantastic, but I don't like the D, so they're out.

So it comes down to Canada vs Sweden. I love the chemistry of Marchand/Bergeron - but Forsberg/Zetterberg seem like the super high IQ type who could figure out chemistry with no issue. Because of that, I'll pick Sweden. Close though

 

[biturbo19]

Schneider was never really great defensively though, was he? I think he was better offensively. Canada/Sweden have the 2 best defensemen here easily (Pronger + Lidstrom) - if one of Russia or US had 2 great defensive D to make up for the star power, maybe, but neither duo screams great at defense to me. So edge to Sweden or Canada. I also don't like the US forwards tbh - Kesler is good (but not the best here), but not sure how Tkachuk does compared to others.

Russia forwards are fantastic, but I don't like the D, so they're out.

So it comes down to Canada vs Sweden. I love the chemistry of Marchand/Bergeron - but Forsberg/Zetterberg seem like the super high IQ type who could figure out chemistry with no issue. Because of that, I'll pick Sweden. Close though

I don't really recall him being an absolute stalwart defensively, and he eventually did seem turn into more of an offensive guy especially later in his career. But i think it's weird, the way "defensive ability" is so often conflated with "PK ability". They're two completely separate things. A guy can be a superb Penalty Killer, without being a superb even strength shutdown defenceman. In the same way some guys can be "PP specialists" without actually contributing much of anything at even strength. Special Teams are "special". They're a unique set of fixed situations where overall effectiveness can become less important than a skillset and aptitude for that particular situational opportunity. There's obviously a lot of crossover, with smart defensive players having a natural aptitude for the job...but plenty of others have been great PKers as well.

And i do seem to recall Schneider playing plenty of PK minutes pretty well back in the day. But i'm not sure i'd completely trust my memory for a bunch of that. It was a long time ago.

 

[Bileur]

I like the Canadian PK. Bergeron is the key here for me. If I’m looking to shut someone down I’m not sure there’s a Center rather throw out there. Add in the chemistry with Marchand and you’ve got a heck of a pair. Pronger in his prime was an absolute monster.

I’m not convinced Vlasic would be my pick to wrap it up though. I’d probably prefer a prime Weber or Foote or Stevens if he fits the criteria.

 

[SotasicA]

CANADIENS!?

You just insulted 37 million people.

Minus those who are Habs fans.

 

[sufferer]

Canadians without much hesitation.