These days? Yes, Toews and Datsyuk are fairly close. Datsyuk has been hovering just under a PPG ever since Detroit's last run to the Finals. I'd say Datsyuk has a very slight edge over Toews in defensive play.
Ridiculously good player and gets the nod by a bit over Toews.
__________________
Exhibit A as to how hockey doesn't matter on ESPN:
Last night an ESPN program was discussing how the Detroit Pistons needed a hero citing the heroes on the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions and no mention of the Detroit Red Wings. All this despite the Red Wings probably being the most succesful team in Detroit right now.
Is this going to be a full team of 4 lines and 3 D pairs? If so, you should think about setting up the polls so we can vote multiple times and do 3 F and 2 D at a time. It will make things go a lot quicker.
Their points per game this past season was nearly identical (Toews 0.97 Datsyuk 0.96), and they're both elite defensively and on faceoffs. It's very close, I don't really see how you can disagree unless you're a homer.
Their points per game this past season was nearly identical (Toews 0.97 Datsyuk 0.96), and they're both elite defensively and on faceoffs. It's very close, I don't really see how you can disagree unless you're a homer.
Problem with Toews is he has never put up a point per game season while Datsyuk has had some killer 97 point seasons and 87 point seasons and is still putting up a point per game. Hes also acked up a bunch of selkes.
Toews is closing the gap but theres a clear edge for Datsyuk still at this point
Problem with Toews is he has never put up a point per game season while Datsyuk has had some killer 97 point seasons and 87 point seasons and is still putting up a point per game. Hes also acked up a bunch of selkes.
Toews is closing the gap but theres a clear edge for Datsyuk still at this point
I'll take a Conn Smythe over a couple Selke trophies personally, so that's a moot point. Datsyuk hasn't had a season well over a point per game in a couple years, it seems kinda odd to use that when determining a present All-Star. Datsyuk is still one of the best players in the league but he's clearly not scoring like he was from 2005-2006 to 2008-2009, whereas Toews is only 23 and consistently improving his game, he very well could outscore Datsyuk next season. Looking at the past 3 seasons (which, keep in mind, dates back to when Toews was only 21), Datsyuk has 0.95 points per game and Toews has 0.93 points per game. I'm not saying you shouldn't pick Datsyuk, but it's definitely close either way. I don't see how you can disagree with that, both players are producing at pretty similar rates, with Toews being one of the very few forwards in the NHL who can rival Datsyuk defensively.
I'll take a Conn Smythe over a couple Selke trophies personally, so that's a moot point. Datsyuk hasn't had a season well over a point per game in a couple years, it seems kinda odd to use that when determining a present All-Star. Datsyuk is still one of the best players in the league but he's clearly not scoring like he was from 2005-2006 to 2008-2009, whereas Toews is only 23 and consistently improving his game, he very well could outscore Datsyuk next season. Looking at the past 3 seasons (which, keep in mind, dates back to when Toews was only 21), Datsyuk has 0.95 points per game and Toews has 0.93 points per game. I'm not saying you shouldn't pick Datsyuk, but it's definitely close either way. I don't see how you can disagree with that, both players are producing at pretty similar rates, with Toews being one of the very few forwards in the NHL who can rival Datsyuk defensively.
Toews wasn't worth the Conn Smythe.
It's close, but Datsyuk is still the better player.
I'll take a Conn Smythe over a couple Selke trophies personally, so that's a moot point. Datsyuk hasn't had a season well over a point per game in a couple years, it seems kinda odd to use that when determining a present All-Star. Datsyuk is still one of the best players in the league but he's clearly not scoring like he was from 2005-2006 to 2008-2009, whereas Toews is only 23 and consistently improving his game, he very well could outscore Datsyuk next season. Looking at the past 3 seasons (which, keep in mind, dates back to when Toews was only 21), Datsyuk has 0.95 points per game and Toews has 0.93 points per game. I'm not saying you shouldn't pick Datsyuk, but it's definitely close either way. I don't see how you can disagree with that, both players are producing at pretty similar rates, with Toews being one of the very few forwards in the NHL who can rival Datsyuk defensively.
So you voted for Zetterberg, then? Same 0.93 PPG as Toews in the past three years (Toews does edge him out slightly once you get to the next decimal) and he's the best defensive forward of the three.
Problem with Toews is he has never put up a point per game season while Datsyuk has had some killer 97 point seasons and 87 point seasons and is still putting up a point per game. Hes also acked up a bunch of selkes.
Toews is closing the gap but theres a clear edge for Datsyuk still at this point
that was 4 years ago, that's like saying Ovechkin is still the best player in the world.
Datsyuk needs to step up his game to that elite level once again. My answer is Datsyuk but it's cutting fairly close as the years go on.
