Smarter hockey player: Crosby vs Datsyuk

[OKR]

Datsyuk was the smarter one, Crosby was better in 80% of other aspects of the sport.

 

[Amazinmets73]

Are you really going to argue that Datayuk's 57.84 xgf 07/08 to 09/10 is a big enough advantage over Crosby's 54.07 to make up for the fact that Crosby scored over half a point more per 60 over that same period?

So really Datayuk controlled chances at a 6% better rate but Crsoby produced at a 25% better rate. In the end actual results trump projected impact.

This isn't even Crosby's peak by the way. You do that and it's even more lopsided.

Pavel's SPAR and xSPAR in 07/08:

14.1

11.5

Better than anything Crosby has produced.

 

[bambamcam4ever]

Well, if we're talking advanced analytics, Datsyuk’s 07/08 season was better than any Crosby has produced. In fact, I think it's better than any player has ever produced since they started recording. I know it was a few years ago, but it's possible McDavid has had a better season since.

The analytics that have consistently trailed behind Crosby's on-ice results during his 18 year career? They very clearly are failing to capture what he does on the ice. In other words, they're useless

This is not "easily" in favor of any guy. These 2 are probably the two highest IQ centers of the last 20 years. No problem with anyone choosing Crosby or Datsyuk here, but it's extremely close and to be quite honest with you I think this a legitimate 50/50 poll.

Datsyuk is not #2 lol

 

[AvroArrow]

The analytics that have consistently trailed behind Crosby's on-ice results during his 18 year career? They very clearly are failing to capture what he does on the ice. In other words, they're useless


Datsyuk is not #2 lol

Which other C in the past 20 years do you think was a smarter hockey player ?

 

[surixon]

Pavel's SPAR and xSPAR in 07/08:

14.1

11.5

Better than anything Crosby has produced.

And what exactly are those stats and what do they measure?

Even that nice chart posted a few pages ago had Crosby in a higher WAR percentile then Datsyuk and that was not Croaby's prime.

 

[norrisnick]

?? Datsyuk was a good skater, he was not hindered by a lack of skating ability in anyway

Throw up a skating ability poll between Datsyuk and Crosby.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Throw up a skating ability poll between Datsyuk and Crosby.

Of course it would favor him, but what’s your point

 

[Xspyrit]

Poll asks "who was the smarter hockey player", HF discusses who was the better player

Why?

 

[norrisnick]

Of course it would favor him, but what’s your point

You don't think improving Datsyuk's skating would improve his play?

 

[Bouboumaster]

This is not "easily" in favor of any guy. These 2 are probably the two highest IQ centers of the last 20 years. No problem with anyone choosing Crosby or Datsyuk here, but it's extremely close and to be quite honest with you I think this a legitimate 50/50 poll.

It's easily for me. Datsyuk was a great player and everything, but Crosby IQ is surpassed only by his willpower

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

Datsyuk has to be easily the most overrated player in NHL history. He does not even come close to the smarts of Crosby, like not close at all.

 

[bambamcam4ever]

Which other C in the past 20 years do you think was a smarter hockey player ?

Tavares, Thornton

 

[TopShelfYzerman]

Oh yeah cause Crosby is super physically gifted LOL


Find a clue. It's not even close. Crosby blows Datsyuk away AINEC.

It's true Datsyuk was better than Crosby in those years.Dissect the numbers and ask the players he played against.

 

[heretik27]

No slight to Datsyuk, but I think Crosby has him beat here.

 

[kp61c]

Datsyuk AINEC

 

[Filthy Dangles]

You don't think improving Datsyuk's skating would improve his play?

It probably would, but not to the level of Crosby....the difference between them is a lot more than that.

 

[authentic]

Tavares, Thornton

Lmao I can promise you Tavares is not a smarter hockey player than Datsyuk

Datsyuk has to be easily the most overrated player in NHL history. He does not even come close to the smarts of Crosby, like not close at all.

Funny how NHL players disagreed though. Why people pretend this is not close is really weird.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Oh yeah cause Crosby is super physically gifted LOL

Yes?

Compare them at 18. You think Datsyuk was a late round pick because he lacked skill? Kid had very little natural physical talent. This shouldn’t be controversial at all.

 

[syz]

Which other C in the past 20 years do you think was a smarter hockey player ?

Bergeron?

 

[TopShelfYzerman]

And what exactly are those stats and what do they measure?

Even that nice chart posted a few pages ago had Crosby in a higher WAR percentile then Datsyuk and that was not Croaby's prime.

Because they were strictly offensive measurements. Only half of Pavels game

 

[AvroArrow]

Bergeron?

Datsyuk was much better and smarter than Bergeron, it wasn't until Dats left the league that Berg got the respect he deserved

 

[surixon]

Because they were strictly offensive measurements. Only half of Pavels game

Yeah, that isn't correct at all there are clear boxes for defensive impacts that are factored into the total WAR percentile ranking.

 

[authentic]

Datsyuk was much better and smarter than Bergeron, it wasn't until Dats left the league that Berg got the respect he deserved

Not to mention look at the line Bergeron plays on. Datsyuk posted better stats than him as a 36 year old with Helm and Abdelkader as linemates well after Lidstrom retired, and yes advanced stats too.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Lol this for real

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

A lot of people in this thread seem to be confusing smarter and better.

I think it's Datsyuk by a hair, but they're two of the smartest players I've ever seen play. The idea that Crosby is worlds ahead in hockey IQ is laughable, especially when you consider the gap in ability between the two.