Thanks for the question , Montreal ShadowCurious but why these duos? What do they have in common?
I think I’ll go with Getzlaf and Kucherov.
Thornton at his best was probably a level above Getzlaf but Getzlaf was a significantly better playoff performer. Both huge, primarily playmaking, and defensively sound centers. That said, Thornton was still a better player than Getzlaf overall.
Kucherov has be the 2nd or 3rd best offensive player in the league for a number of years and arguably the best playoff performer of the past decade. Pastrnak is definitely no slouch but I think it’s clearly Kucherov here.
Always appreciate when posters explain their thesis, cheers BoubsVoted for Thornton and Pasta
I think that
Kucherov >=Thornton > Pasta > Getzlaf
And also, Thornton and Pasta complete each other very well
It’s interesting that Jumbo is getting a bit more ‘love’ than Getzlaf. I think taking out my bias as a Ducks fan I would take Getz over Jumbo every day of the week.
Your profile picture.. its amazing. I'm not sure why i find it so intriguing but it really caught my eyeI mean, Thornton's career is clearly better. He has the Hart and Art Ross and was a top five scorer a number of times (more often than Getz). He was a dominant centre for a long time and he had all the attributes and abilities that Getzlaf possessed (size, strength, reach, playmaking ability, vision, two-way play).
If we're choosing one for a playoff run, though, Getz probably is the better choice.
I think Kuch + Getz are better as the sum of their parts because Kuch = Jumbo for regular season peak + basically the same signature season (125 vs 128 points, Hart + Ross in both cases) but Kucherov is having a second signature season and blows Thornton away in playoffs.
Pasta likely has the better career on paper but Getz is the guy I build a franchise around in actuality. Big, mean, skilled #1 C.
In terms of actual on ice fit, I think Joe feeding Pasta makes way more sense than two puck dominant players who both look to pass first.
So overall as a pair I like Kuch and Getz and as an actual fit on a line I like Pasta/Joe.
Really don't know how to vote here.
It's a tough poll.
Cheechoo scored 56 goals in a season playing with Thornton. How many would Pasta score?
Kinda surprised people are taking Getzlaf and Kucherov over Thornton and Pasta.
Kucherov peak season 128 pts
Pasta peak season 112 pts.
Getzlaf peak season 91 pts.
Thornton peak season 125 pts.
Kucherov has played with top tier offensive talent. Pasta never has.