Both are great players. This poll would be much closer and possibly in favour of Duchene if he didn't struggle last year which is fair. Duchene just has more potential and is much more skilled. He will bounce back next season to the 70 point mark. Duchene now and future.
I saw Tyler Myers at his best for a stretch last season. He was more dominant physically and has developed a mean streak. He was playing too conservative and this is maybe the result of Buffalo bringing in Ehrhoff for offense but the best I've seen for Myers and considering his potential, I'd take a gamble on that guy over Karlsson if I wanna win a cup one day.
Would probably take the same gamble on a potential no1 centre like Duchene over a more reliable two-way 2nd line centre like Couture.
No one is saying Duchene won't be an awesome player. People are just saying Couture is better right now. Calm down
Look around. This isn't an isolated thread. There was a "legitimate" debate over whether Duchene or M. Rielly was more valuable. People are saying a lot more than just Couture is better right now. But even in isolation, I think this thread will look ridiculous in 5 years. Oh and I'm calm.
Five years from now these threads about Duchene are going to look ridiculous. Hell I'd wager in one year these threads will look silly.
Why? because he's being compared to players of similar production and age? Alright lets just crown Duchene the best 21 year old in the league who by at least next year will be in consistent contention for the art ross and hart year in and out.
Couture is marginally better at this point, but Duchene holds marginally more value. Couture also plays with much better wingers IMO.
The last two seasons, here are Couture's most common linemates:
- Ryan Clowe (1,382min)
- Benn Ferriero (408min)
- Joe Pavelski (389min)
- Dany Heatley (370min)
- Patrick Marleau (351min)
...and Duchene:
- Milan Hejduk (990min)
- David Jones (497min)
- Paul Stastny (405min)
- Tomas Fleischmann (285min)
- Daniel Winnik (272min)
I think their linemates are a little closer in quality than you think... Better players? Sure. Much better? Not really..
Quote:
Originally Posted by Barrie22
2 points, 2 whopping whole points? that is producing at a higher level?
duchenes rookie season 55 points in 81 games
coutures rookie season 9 points in 25 games
duchenes 2nd season 67 points in 80 games
coutures 2nd season 56 points in 79 games
duchenes 3rd season 28 points in 58 games
coutures 3rd sesaon 65 points in 80 games
if you actually take points per game
duchene is at 0.68 points per game.
couture is at .70 points per game.
...if only that was an accurate way to judge forwards...
Look around. This isn't an isolated thread. There was a "legitimate" debate over whether Duchene or M. Rielly was more valuable. People are saying a lot more than just Couture is better right now. But even in isolation, I think this thread will look ridiculous in 5 years. Oh and I'm calm.
It's seem you can predict the future. There's a lot of things that will sound ridiculous in 5 years from now. . .
Anyway, I pick Couture. Despite the fact that Duchene is 2 (not 3...) years younger, Couture's two way ability is far superior.
Sharks fan here homer pick. I think right now, Couture's quite a bit better. You're getting 30g, 30a every year as a floor. Yet anyone can see that Duchene has more natural talent...
Couture ainec. Better offensively, better defensively and isn't injury prone.
So a guy who only had played 58 games last season (the only season where he missed a lot of games), but prior to the 11-12 season he's played 80 (2011) and 81 (2010) games of the season. But he is considered an injury prone? Yeah, ok.
And the opposite will be "true" a year from now if next season Myers puts up 50 points and plays top shutdown minutes, as he did his rookie year, and Karlsson regresses by ~15 points and still plays below average defense.
Anyway, Duchene for me. I think he definitely has the higher ceiling, and I'm not going to write off his ability to reach it for having one bad, injury-riddled year.
The last two seasons, here are Couture's most common linemates:
- Ryan Clowe (1,382min)
- Benn Ferriero (408min)
- Joe Pavelski (389min)
- Dany Heatley (370min)
- Patrick Marleau (351min)
...and Duchene:
- Milan Hejduk (990min)
- David Jones (497min)
- Paul Stastny (405min)
- Tomas Fleischmann (285min)
- Daniel Winnik (272min)
I think their linemates are a little closer in quality than you think... Better players
that looks like a quality gap to me, especially considering fleischmann played 22 games with the avs, and milan hejduk is far past his prime. looks like 3 "star" type players to 1 in heatley, pavelski , and marleau vs stastny.
So a guy who only had played 58 games last season (the only season where he missed a lot of games), but prior to the 11-12 season he's played 80 (2011) and 81 (2010) games of the season. But he is considered an injury prone? Yeah, ok.
Yeah. I'd rather have the player with no history of injuries, more consistency and two-way play. Pretty easy to take the non-risk factor over the risky one.
Yeah. I'd rather have the player with no history of injuries, more consistency and two-way play. Pretty easy to take the non-risk factor over the risky one.
coutures play will catch up to him sooner or later. this coming from one of his biggest fans.
got to admit though so far in his career the kid is a freaking energizer bunny, gets rocked and just keeps on chugging.
