Great read about Sutter's appreciation for his # 1 center.
It is a shame that some guys go to bed too early to see just how good Anze Kopitar is as a true 2 way center. He is top 3 and because of the Kings winning the cup, will be nominated for Selke numerous times in the years to come. Also, Gezlaf should be up there as well & I am not a Duck fan. He has really picked up his game this season and has the Ducks playing really well.
Datsyuk has had a fairly significant higher quality of competition (Babcock has been using Datsyuk as his shutdown forward this season)
Ahh silky.
Yes Datsyuk has a higher ES QoC than Zetterberg.
But Zetterberg is closer to Datsyuk's than Toews or Bergeron are to Zetterberg's. And he's closer to Datsyuk than Datsyuk is to Bolland.
So you can take that as you will. I read it as both guys are being used roughly equally (their QoC numbers are pretty close) for their defensive acumen. Zetterberg has pretty clearly been used as the #1 center this year, largely because of his beast mode over the first ~15 games.
But Zetterberg is closer to Datsyuk's than Toews or Bergeron are to Zetterberg's. And he's closer to Datsyuk than Datsyuk is to Bolland.
So you can take that as you will. I read it as both guys are being used roughly equally (their QoC numbers are pretty close) for their defensive acumen. Zetterberg has pretty clearly been used as the #1 center this year, largely because of his beast mode over the first ~15 games.
Ahh eva. We know that you have and obviously will always be a Zetterberg>Datsyuk guy. And we know that you have some very out there opinions and beliefs. And we obviously now know that you stick to those beliefs even when reality and common sense is saying otherwise.
Even you have know that Babcock has primarily used Datsyuk against opposing top lines this year. If you can't admit that then it's simply a lost cause. Both Z and Datsyuk do face opposing top lines because only half of your games are at home and thus coaches are limited in line matching. That's why we seen Datsyuk against the Sedin's in Detroit (where Babcock had control), but Zetterberg against the Sedin's in Vancouver (where AV had control.)
But statistically, visually, and logically there simply isn't an argument right now for Zetterberg>Datsyuk. Obviously your eyes limit the objectivity, but look at advanced stats because we all know that you're an advanced stat guy (as seen by your Malkin overrated poll and past arguments.) Practically everything tells us that Datsyuk is a more effective player on the ice.
I hope you realize that I'm not calling Zetterberg a bad play by any means. He's still one of the best 2 way forwards in the NHL and the level between them isn't a large gap. The level of most top tier guys is rarely a big gap. Most top tier guys are close, but some distinctly a step ahead. And in the case of Datsyuk and Zetterberg, Datsyuk is clearly a step ahead of him.
Ahh eva. We know that you have and obviously will always be a Zetterberg>Datsyuk guy. And we know that you have some very out there opinions and beliefs. And we obviously now know that you stick to those beliefs even when reality and common sense is saying otherwise.
Even you have know that Babcock has primarily used Datsyuk against opposing top lines this year. If you can't admit that then it's simply a lost cause. Both Z and Datsyuk do face opposing top lines because only half of your games are at home and thus coaches are limited in line matching. That's why we seen Datsyuk against the Sedin's in Detroit (where Babcock had control), but Zetterberg against the Sedin's in Vancouver (where AV had control.)
But statistically, visually, and logically there simply isn't an argument right now for Zetterberg>Datsyuk. Obviously your eyes limit the objectivity, but look at advanced stats because we all know that you're an advanced stat guy (as seen by your Malkin overrated poll and past arguments.) Practically everything tells us that Datsyuk is a more effective player on the ice.
Actually I am not an "advanced stats guy"; I do use stats (advanced or not) as long as they are in context (hence my huge dislike of +/-). My Malkin poll was inspired because I know a lot of people on here are obsessed with CORSI and zone starts as player evaluation tools ("OMG, the Sedins start so much in the O-zone! tEHY SUCK!")
The following is a post from the "Datsyuk is the best two-way forward" thread that speaks more about my views on Dats v. Z:
Quote:
Originally Posted by eva unit zero
For the first 15-20 games of the season, Zetterberg was better than Datsyuk at everything. Z hit a rough patch, and Dats got hot. In an unusual twist compared to their historical roles, Dats has also been used more against top offensive lines this year (but both have seen significant duty) and Z has been the #1 center.
Both have played against much tougher opposition than guys like Toews, Bergeron, Kopitar, or Richards and both have been very effective. And both are among the league scoring leaders. Which is why anything but Datsyuk and Zetterberg in the top two spots for two-way forwards is just ridiculous. You can argue some of the other guys as better defensively than one or both... but they aren't as good in both directions. And guys like Crosby, Stamkos, etc., don't have the defensive chutzpah to take the crown. Yes, I know Crosby is a solid defensive forward. But you can't say "the best scorer in the league, who plays a decent defensive game, is better than these two guys who are top-10/15 scorers and are both top-five defensive forwards." That's not a sane point of view. It's like arguing 1999-00 Jagr over 1999-00 Yzerman for two-way play.
Great read about Sutter's appreciation for his # 1 center.
It is a shame that some guys go to bed too early to see just how good Anze Kopitar is as a true 2 way center. He is top 3 and because of the Kings winning the cup, will be nominated for Selke numerous times in the years to come. Also, Gezlaf should be up there as well & I am not a Duck fan. He has really picked up his game this season and has the Ducks playing really well.
As long as Kopitar plays on the west coast, he will never get the Selke. Its very unfortunate too.
Great read about Sutter's appreciation for his # 1 center.
It is a shame that some guys go to bed too early to see just how good Anze Kopitar is as a true 2 way center. He is top 3 and because of the Kings winning the cup, will be nominated for Selke numerous times in the years to come. Also, Gezlaf should be up there as well & I am not a Duck fan. He has really picked up his game this season and has the Ducks playing really well.
I think most fans in the west know Kopitars a beast. Who cares about eastern fans anyway
