Nick Hansen
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Eric Lindros vs Peter Forsberg
- Thread starter Nick Hansen
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Skip2myBordyloo
Stay the course
- Apr 7, 2010
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Lindros was the superior player until his head got bounced around a few times.
Nick Hansen
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Peak, prime, career, potentially how things could have played out injury free?
As played out, it's Forsberg for me. Lindros physical abilities are among the best ever though.
As played out, it's Forsberg for me. Lindros physical abilities are among the best ever though.
Khomutov
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Forsberg had the better career but lindros was "better"
blundluntman
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At their absolute best it's Lindros. Had it not been for injuries (yes I'm aware it comes with the territory of his play style) we might be talking about a Big 5
JackSlater
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Both great, I think that Lindros at his best was a bit better than Forsberg at his best, but I'm going with Forsberg for actually doing more.
I don't see Lindros reaching the offensive heights that some of the best of the non-Big 4 players reached. I think his best would have put him in the conversation for the #5 player but think his career worked as it was destined to for the most part.
I've never felt that Lindros is the type of player with the drive to make it that far.
Look at Crosby. Insane compete level. Wants to win at every level, leader, etc. You need some of that stuff to make a big 5 and Lindros is lacking.
With no injuries he would have made it far but not top 5.
Unspecified
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Not a hard decision.. Lindros. In his prime he was arguable the best player in the NHL and if not for his injuries he could easily been in the top 5 players of all time.
GlitchMarner
Typical malevolent, devious & vile Maple Leafs fan
For the playoffs, I think I'd rather have Forsberg in his prime than prime Lindros.
Big E played in three playoffs through 1997 and scored 53 points in 43 games in those playoffs, averaging of 1.23 points per game. Lindros was a combined +13 in his first three playoffs.
Forsberg played in 151 games in the playoffs in his career and scored 171 points in those games, averaging 1.13 points per game. Forsberg had a career +54 rating in the playoffs.
That's a difference of just .10 points per game despite the fact the Forsberg played more than three times as many games in the playoffs as Lindros did up to 1997 and despite scoring the fact that the NHL was a higher scoring League in 1995 and 1996 than it has been since 1996 (though the scoring rate was slightly higher in '06 than in '95).
Presumably, Lindros was healthy during those first three playoffs. He certainly was in his prime and not damaged goods during them anyway. Forsberg did have the luxury of having Sakic on his team, but I'd still want him instead for the post season.
Big E played in three playoffs through 1997 and scored 53 points in 43 games in those playoffs, averaging of 1.23 points per game. Lindros was a combined +13 in his first three playoffs.
Forsberg played in 151 games in the playoffs in his career and scored 171 points in those games, averaging 1.13 points per game. Forsberg had a career +54 rating in the playoffs.
That's a difference of just .10 points per game despite the fact the Forsberg played more than three times as many games in the playoffs as Lindros did up to 1997 and despite scoring the fact that the NHL was a higher scoring League in 1995 and 1996 than it has been since 1996 (though the scoring rate was slightly higher in '06 than in '95).
Presumably, Lindros was healthy during those first three playoffs. He certainly was in his prime and not damaged goods during them anyway. Forsberg did have the luxury of having Sakic on his team, but I'd still want him instead for the post season.
Nick Hansen
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That's my feeling too. Forsberg was still great after the lockout despite skating on only one leg. When Lindros couldn't be that menacing beast because of the concussions, he just wasn't the same impact player. A lot of his game was built on that crushing power.
With regards to goalscoring, I agree that Lindros was better but Forsberg had a really good shot that he really didn't utilize enough. Very accurate.
GlitchMarner
Typical malevolent, devious & vile Maple Leafs fan
Nick Hansen
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The history forum ranked Forsberg 20th amongst all centers all time, and Lindros was 38th.
http://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/hoh-top-60-centers-of-all-time.1531045/
http://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/hoh-top-60-centers-of-all-time.1531045/
quoipourquoi
Goaltender
Lindros was better up until Game 2 of the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals and probably not more than a minute after.
Nick Hansen
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cgf
FireBednarsSuccessor
Lindros was an absolute bull that was insanely hard to handle, but Foppa was more varied, he could overpower Hatcher and he could outskill Lidstrom. Plus he had the much better defensive game and that ridiculous playoff resume.
Two players who's body's just couldn't handle their playing style. So I'm homer voting.
Two players who's body's just couldn't handle their playing style. So I'm homer voting.
blundluntman
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Fair point for sure. I suppose it's better to say as far as tools go, he's one of the most gifted players in league history. But you're right that doesn't guarantee that level of success.
Jarey Curry
Avalanche of Makar
Both absolute beasts, but I'm lying to myself if I don't take Peter. The playoffs is where he separated himself, and he still ended up having a better regular season career anyway with similar overall dominance at his best.
JackSlater
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That specific category is unquestionably Lindros. Forsberg was quite physical for a skill player. Lindros was probably the most physical player in the NHL and much bigger than Forsberg.
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