Felidae
Registered User
- Sep 30, 2016
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Thought I'd make a poll about best peak from a Dallas player in honor of Modano's erected statue.
For anyone confused, peak is at their absolute best. So we aren't taking into consideration their entire prime or careers. Otherwise, modano would probably win, and maybe Zubov close behind, then a huge gap with everyone else.
Benn
2014-15
1st in points, 2nd in PPG, 9th in goals.
2015-16
2nd in points, 3rd in PPG, 3rd in goals and GPG, 2nd in hart voting.
The only Art Ross winner and Hart finakist in franchise history. Probably the best offensive peak in franchise history, rivaled only by...
Seguin.
His peak was even shorter lived than Benn's. But he was 2nd in PPG in 2014-15 . I remember him being an Art Ross contender for much of that season, but injuries prevented him possibly going all the way, and he ended up 7th in Points.
And while that was his best season on a per game basis, he proved it wasn't a fluke. Was 4th the year before and 5th in PPG the year after.
Turco
2002-03
1st in sv%, 2nd in Vezina voting. Also one of the best puck handling goalies of his era. Bested only by arguably the best in that specific area, Brodeur. (Also happens to be who he lost the Vezina to that year)
Also led the league in sv% in the 2000-01 season, albeit in 26 games. His peak was also short lived, but he was the best at stopping pucks for a few seasons, and easily the best goalie in franchise history.
Modano
Uh.. not really sure what his best "peak" was to be honest.
1999 is statistically his best season from an offensive standpoint. Was 8th in goals and 8th in points. But was 10th in hart voting and 18th in selke voting, not his best placements for either award.
That would go to 1996-97 for overall award voting. He was 7th in hart voting and 4th in selke voting. Didn't finish top 10 in any offensive category.
But... His highest selke finish came in 2000 when he was a finalist (3rd place) the only time in his career.
Then there's 1997. 4th in PPG, by far his best offensive season in a per game basis.
Seems like his best defensive seasons didn't necessarily align with his best offensive ones. So as far as peak goes, there's a few to choose from as far as which version of Modano was the best.
Zubov
This one is more clear cut. 2005-06 is the only time he was a Norris finalist as a Dallas Star, coming in 3rd. It's by far his best season offensively with the club. Finished 2nd in scoring for defenseman. He has other comparable seasons statistically (like 1997 finishing 3rd in points for dman), but he didn't get as much Norris recognition. He's the only Norris finalist in franchise history other than..
Derian Hatcher.
He's the most intimidating physical presence in franchise history, and that aspect of his game along with his defensive prowess, was good enough to make him a finalist in 2002-03 despite his comparatively mediocre offensive numbers. Now whether it was deserved is another discussion, but it wouldn't feel right not to mention him.
Shout-out to Heiskanen who finished 7th in Norris voting on the basis of his two way play.
And Lethinen who was the best defensive forward in the game during his peak and in franchise history.
3 selke trophy wins is the most of any winger other than Gainey, Who is considered by some to be the best defensive forward of all time.
For anyone confused, peak is at their absolute best. So we aren't taking into consideration their entire prime or careers. Otherwise, modano would probably win, and maybe Zubov close behind, then a huge gap with everyone else.
Benn
2014-15
1st in points, 2nd in PPG, 9th in goals.
2015-16
2nd in points, 3rd in PPG, 3rd in goals and GPG, 2nd in hart voting.
The only Art Ross winner and Hart finakist in franchise history. Probably the best offensive peak in franchise history, rivaled only by...
Seguin.
His peak was even shorter lived than Benn's. But he was 2nd in PPG in 2014-15 . I remember him being an Art Ross contender for much of that season, but injuries prevented him possibly going all the way, and he ended up 7th in Points.
And while that was his best season on a per game basis, he proved it wasn't a fluke. Was 4th the year before and 5th in PPG the year after.
Turco
2002-03
1st in sv%, 2nd in Vezina voting. Also one of the best puck handling goalies of his era. Bested only by arguably the best in that specific area, Brodeur. (Also happens to be who he lost the Vezina to that year)
Also led the league in sv% in the 2000-01 season, albeit in 26 games. His peak was also short lived, but he was the best at stopping pucks for a few seasons, and easily the best goalie in franchise history.
Modano
Uh.. not really sure what his best "peak" was to be honest.
1999 is statistically his best season from an offensive standpoint. Was 8th in goals and 8th in points. But was 10th in hart voting and 18th in selke voting, not his best placements for either award.
That would go to 1996-97 for overall award voting. He was 7th in hart voting and 4th in selke voting. Didn't finish top 10 in any offensive category.
But... His highest selke finish came in 2000 when he was a finalist (3rd place) the only time in his career.
Then there's 1997. 4th in PPG, by far his best offensive season in a per game basis.
Seems like his best defensive seasons didn't necessarily align with his best offensive ones. So as far as peak goes, there's a few to choose from as far as which version of Modano was the best.
Zubov
This one is more clear cut. 2005-06 is the only time he was a Norris finalist as a Dallas Star, coming in 3rd. It's by far his best season offensively with the club. Finished 2nd in scoring for defenseman. He has other comparable seasons statistically (like 1997 finishing 3rd in points for dman), but he didn't get as much Norris recognition. He's the only Norris finalist in franchise history other than..
Derian Hatcher.
He's the most intimidating physical presence in franchise history, and that aspect of his game along with his defensive prowess, was good enough to make him a finalist in 2002-03 despite his comparatively mediocre offensive numbers. Now whether it was deserved is another discussion, but it wouldn't feel right not to mention him.
Shout-out to Heiskanen who finished 7th in Norris voting on the basis of his two way play.
And Lethinen who was the best defensive forward in the game during his peak and in franchise history.
3 selke trophy wins is the most of any winger other than Gainey, Who is considered by some to be the best defensive forward of all time.
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