Suter & Subban: Who had the better career?

[FrankSidebottom]

Two superstar defensemen with quite a different career path and without the cup.
Subban won the Norris and had some great runs for the SC. Suter had neither, but has better longevity so far. Who had the better career?

Subban:
RS: 834GP-467P, +5
PO: 96GP-62P, +1
Norris: 1-3-3

Suter:
RS: 1298GP-642P, +102
PO: 95GP-34P, -26
Norris: 2-4-5-8-8-9

Click to read more...

 

[Machinehead]

I feel like they're close enough otherwise that the Norris tips the scales

 

[stl76]

Subban will probably win given the slightly higher per season point totals and the Norris, but this is pretty easily Suter IMO.

 

[GoldenSeal]

Depends which will be a better metric, longevity or a Norris. Beyond that, they’re really similar.

 

[wetcoast]

Subban will probably win given the slightly higher per season point totals and the Norris, but this is pretty easily Suter IMO.

This was my first gut reaction as well and I love Subban but his light burned out too quickly compared to Suter who will end up playing 500+ more games and is still easily a top 3 Dman on his team in the NHL at 38.

 

[Toby91ca]

I think the better question is who was the better player. They are pretty similar in that regard, but in terms of career, how could you say a player that only played 800 games had a better career than a guy who played 1300 games (if they are already close to begin with)?

I also don't quite understand Subban's Norris win either. He and Letang are similar type players and that year, Letang was the better player that year.

Subban vs. Suter....Subban does have that Norris though and finished top 5 in voting 2 more times for 3 total, same for Suter, but Suter also finished top 10, 3 more times to Subban's nil. Subban also has year end 1st team all star awards (3) and 2nd team (1) to Suter's none....but I don't see that being enough to suggest he had a better career.....perhaps better player.

 

[Soundgarden]

Suter lost more Norris votes than he deserved due to being Weber's partner. As a Nashville fan who saw the best of both players I'd go with Suter overall. Subban's highs were higher but his lows were lower too, Suter was pretty much an error free minute munching machine day in and day out.

 

[ThatGuy22]

Norris vote shouldn't tip the Scale in this instance. It was the closest Norris vote in in the last decade with Subban getting 66 1st, and Suter 65 (56 and 54 2nd, etc).

The difference in the vote was basically at the time Minnesota had 4 members of the PHWA while Montreal had 13.

 

[Bouboumaster]

Suter had a much better longevity but Subban's peak and prime were bonkers, and he was clutch af
Look at those POs numbers lol
And it wasn't on any powerhouse either (at least, not on the Habs)

I'd pick my boi Subban without a doubt, he was the most exciting player we had between Kovalev and now Suzuki/Caufield

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Subban has the Norris.

Suter was undoubtedly the better, more consistent, more valuable defender.

 

[biturbo19]

It's really a "Longevity" vs "Peak Seasons" sort of comparison here. Suter has been a consistently excellent defenceman for a very long time and is still playing at a reasonable level. Subban had a few "big" seasons and was always the much more "flashy" player, but a much narrower window of top caliber play. Reflected in really only being on the Norris ballot for a few years. He's a relative flash in the pan.


For me, the sheer duration and consistency of Suter outweighs that peak Norris season from Subban. But often, awards are a big factor in defining a great career...and Subban has one, Suter doesn't. So i can see the argument.

 

[jetsforever]

Subban, and I don't even like him that much
I'm surprised at the results

 

[Voight]

Ironic considering that 2013 Norris should've gone to Suter.

 

[Sky04]

Subban definitely

 

[Mrb1p]

Subban will lose because HF hates him but this is PK no contest.

Suter 2-4-5-8-9-11-13-15-18
As1
30 points in the POs
His best finish among his team in scoring is 3rd.


Subban 1-3-3-14-14
Conn Smythe 2
Hart 13-16
As 1 2x
As 2
62 PO points
Finished first on PPG ahead of Pacioretty in 12 13.

Youre basically voting for a more mediocre player for longer vs the better for shorter, its like choosing Alfredson over Lemieux.

 

[ThatGuy22]

Subban will lose because HF hates him but this is PK no contest.

Suter 2-4-5-8-9-11-13-15-18
As1
30 points in the POs
His best finish among his team in scoring is 3rd.


Subban 1-3-3-14-14
Conn Smythe 2
Hart 13-16
As 1 2x
As 2
62 PO points
Finished first on PPG ahead of Pacioretty in 12 13.

Youre basically voting for a more mediocre player for longer vs the better for shorter, its like choosing Alfredson over Lemieux.

You're falling into the same trap the writers that vote on the awards do.

Over valuing points and dismissing defensive ability.

Suter was a 40 to 50 point defensemen that was elite defensively.

 

[Mrb1p]

You're falling into the same trap the writers that vote on the awards do.

Over valuing points and dismissing defensive ability.

Suter was a 40 to 50 point defensemen that was elite defensively.

Ive seen Pk Subban play at his peak. Ive seen him be an absolute shutdown defenseman playing against prime Crosby, Ovi, Malkin and more. Subban took more risks, but when it was needed of him, he was a rock. Theres a reason the Habs were a top team with David Desharnais as their top line C. Subban, Markov and Price.