Getzlaf vs Thornton - entire careers up to today

[Michael Farkas]

Doubtful. Star centers have never dropped the gloves a lot. Lindros was the exception because he was huge and could hang with legit enforcers. Besides, there's hardly any fighting now period, so it'd be stupid for Thornton to fight a lot the last ten seasons. Getzlaf doesn't fight much either.

Nah, you're right. I'm saying Jet-puffed Joe had some more sandpaper in his toolbox early on...

 

[Trap Jesus]

Thornton quite easily. He's probably just over 10 games away from cracking the top 20 for all-time points, and has rounded into an excellent defensive player as well in the later part of his career.

 

[GreatGonzo]

Thornton.....pretty easy.

He has had the better career, peak, and prime. Playoffs...sure, Getzlaf has the advantage, but people forget that that Ducks team was full of talent, so much so that's a Getzlaf was the 2nd line center. Since then, he has made some great runs as their number 1 center, but compared to Thornton, I'd give Thornton the nod in terms of team impact. His 2016 season/post season sort of separated him from Getzlaf.

People also forget that Thornton was still a top center before the lockout with some solid seasons. It wasn't like he just magically became a stud after the lockout, sure his peak took off, but he had seasons before that where he was one of the top centers in the league

 

[JackSlater]

Thornton.....pretty easy.

He has had the better career, peak, and prime. Playoffs...sure, Getzlaf has the advantage, but people forget that that Ducks team was full of talent, so much so that's a Getzlaf was the 2nd line center. Since then, he has made some great runs as their number 1 center, but compared to Thornton, I'd give Thornton the nod in terms of team impact. His 2016 season/post season sort of separated him from Getzlaf.

People also forget that Thornton was still a top center before the lockout with some solid seasons. It wasn't like he just magically became a stud after the lockout, sure his peak took off, but he had seasons before that where he was one of the top centers in the league

Yes pre-lockout Thornton is generally underrated. He had a top three scoring season, second and third all star team placements at centre and a strong showing at the 2004 World Cup, where he was Canada's best player in the championship game. Thornton also had a very strong year during the lockout and was the best player at the World Championship, but people don't usually consider what happened during the lockout. Even in 2002 Thornton was the next forward on deck for the Olympics if there were any injuries.

 

[Quid Pro Clowe]

He has a cup while leading his team in points and average ice time per game among forwards. He also has been better in the Olympics and has 1 more Gold Medal.

Thornton was a better regular season performer but not so good that you can't say Getzlaf has had a better career.

Um, yes you can. Thornton has had a better career, and it's not really debatable.

 

[Pominville Knows]

Getzlaf is better physically and defensively. His point finishes has suffered from missing games here and there. Put that together with his playoffs and he is close.

 

[VanIslander]

The better player by uh hair

 

[Terry Yake]

it's thornton for sure. but they're not as far apart as some are making it out to be

getzlaf is the better player in the playoffs as well as defensively. since his 3rd season in 07-08 he's been consistent every season with the exception of 11-12 (a down season for the entire ducks team)

 

[GreatGonzo]

Getzlaf is better physically and defensively. His point finishes has suffered from missing games here and there. Put that together with his playoffs and he is close.

I think that's highly debatable.

Staying healthy is all part of the game, and Thornton was consistently one of the best centers in the league for a good stretch of time.

 

[GreatGonzo]

it's thornton for sure. but they're not as far apart as some are making it out to be

getzlaf is the better player in the playoffs as well as defensively. since his 3rd season in 07-08 he's been consistent every season with the exception of 11-12 (a down season for the entire ducks team)

I don't understand how he's better defensively

In terms of career wise, it's still Thornton by a huge margin. But it is hard to compare considering Getzlaf started close to 10 years after Thornton. But there is no denying that Thornton has been better for much longer.

Besides from 2008-17, Thornton has Getzlaf beat in production(sits 5th and is 1st in assists)

 

[LeafChief]

I love them both.

Two ****ing warriors.

 

[Felidae]

Thornton is the better player, and it's not particularly close. Getzlaf is a better playoff performer than Thornton though. That's about the only leg Getzlaf has to stand on.


Point Finishes:

Thornton- 1,2,3,4,5,8

Getzlaf- 2,6,10



Assist finishes:

Thornton- 1,1,1,2,2,2,2,3,7,7,8,10

Getzlaf- 3,3,4,5,7,7,8




Hart Trophy voting finishes of note:

Thornton- 1,4,5,5,6

Getzlaf- 2,6,7

This is slightly misleading, if only because you added Thornton's accomplishments past Getzlaf's age. The bolded is what he has done at Getzlaf's current age.


And to add some more context, here are their ppg, apg finishes and selke finishes

Thornton

PPG
2001-02 NHL 1.03 (6th)
2002-03 NHL 1.31 (3rd)
2005-06 NHL 1.54 (1st)
2006-07 NHL 1.39 (2nd)
2007-08 NHL 1.17 (9th)
2015-16 NHL 1.00 (6th)

APG
2001-02 NHL 0.70 (4th)
2002-03 NHL 0.84 (3rd)
2005-06 NHL 1.19 (1st)
2006-07 NHL 1.12 (1st)
2007-08 NHL 0.82 (3rd)
2008-09 NHL 0.74 (7th)
2009-10 NHL 0.87 (3rd)
2011-12 NHL 0.72 (5th)
2013-14 NHL 0.79 (3rd)
2014-15 NHL 0.63 (9th)
2015-16 NHL 0.77 (2nd)

Selke: 5, 14, 19, 21, 21, 28, 31, 32, 36, 45, 58


Getzlaf

PPG
2008-09 NHL 1.12 (8th)
2010-11 NHL 1.13 (6th)
2012-13 NHL 1.11 (6th)
2013-14 NHL 1.13 (3rd)
2016-17 NHL 0.99 (9th)

APG
2007-08 NHL 0.75 (7th)
2008-09 NHL 0.81 (3rd)
2009-10 NHL 0.76 (9th)
2010-11 NHL 0.85 (2nd)
2012-13 NHL 0.77 (7th)
2013-14 NHL 0.73 (5th)
2015-16 NHL 0.65 (9th)
2016-17 NHL 0.78 (2nd)

Selke: 10, 13, 13, 18, 20, 22, 48, 53

 

[Paul4587]

in terms of the regular season this isn't really fair to Getzlaf who is inferior at just about everything. Very similar games but Thornton is just better.

In terms of the post season Getzlaf has a significantly better track record.

 

[MXD]

I don't really see how that's a relevant comparison at this juncture.

 

[Legion34]

I don't know why this is a poll. But I would take the guy with 500 or so more points

 

[VanIslander]

In terms of the post season Getzlaf has a significantly better track record.

Getzlaf
118 points in 121 playoff games, 6 game winners, one cup (2nd in assists, 2nd in goals).
Thornton
123 points in 160 playoff games, 8 game winners, no cup (2nd in assists on cup run, not many goals).

So,...

Getzlaf has a much higher points per playoff game average and more goals in his Stanley Cup Finals journey whereas Thornton has more playoff points, more game winners. Take away Getzlaf's goals on the one time his team went to the Stanley Cup Finals (successfully) and the playoff records would be close to par.

 

[Sensinitis]

Getzlaf
118 points in 121 playoff games, 6 game winners, one cup (2nd in assists, 2nd in goals).
Thornton
123 points in 160 playoff games, 8 game winners, no cup (2nd in assists on cup run, not many goals).

So,...

Getzlaf has a much higher points per playoff game average and more goals in his Stanley Cup Finals journey whereas Thornton has more playoff points, more game winners.

Take away Getzlaf's goals on the one time his team went to the Stanley Cup Finals (successfully) and the playoff records would be close to par.

2 more GWG, and 5 more pts, in 40 more games?
And Getzlaf just scored 8 goals in 3 playoff rounds...not sure where you can possibly get at with this

 

[Sensinitis]

I don't really see how that's a relevant comparison at this juncture.

not quite relevant from that perspective. nevertheless two big playmaking centers, with overlapping primes. and there doesn't seem to be a consensus on the question asked, based on this thread.

that's where i see it's relevance

 

[MXD]

not quite relevant from that perspective. nevertheless two big playmaking centers, with overlapping primes. and there doesn't seem to be a consensus on the question asked, based on this thread.

that's where i see it's relevance

Well...
As the events happening since 8 or so days have learned up, the "both sides" perspective sometimes just isn't warranted.

 

[Regal]

I think this is an interesting comparison, because obviously Thornton has the much better regular season resume to the point that there normally wouldn't be much discussion on rankings on here. Yet, if you ask someone who they'd take in a playoff series at their best and I think the question gives most people pause. Because if you take Getzlaf there, what does it say about how we normally rank players? And should career accomplishments hold as much weight as they typically are held up as? It's something that I've struggled with in terms of other comparisons, such as Crosby vs. Forsberg pre-2016.

 

[Sensinitis]

I think this is an interesting comparison, because obviously Thornton has the much better regular season resume to the point that there normally wouldn't be much discussion on rankings on here. Yet, if you ask someone who they'd take in a playoff series at their best and I think the question gives most people pause. Because if you take Getzlaf there, what does it say about how we normally rank players? And should career accomplishments hold as much weight as they typically are held up as? It's something that I've struggled with in terms of other comparisons, such as Crosby vs. Forsberg pre-2016.

Definitely agree. Kind of reflects the difficulty to weigh RS against POs. The former represents a larger sample size, while the latter, well, represents ''crunch time'', when the level of competition and opponents is stronger.

 

[GreatGonzo]

I think this is an interesting comparison, because obviously Thornton has the much better regular season resume to the point that there normally wouldn't be much discussion on rankings on here. Yet, if you ask someone who they'd take in a playoff series at their best and I think the question gives most people pause. Because if you take Getzlaf there, what does it say about how we normally rank players? And should career accomplishments hold as much weight as they typically are held up as? It's something that I've struggled with in terms of other comparisons, such as Crosby vs. Forsberg pre-2016.

The problem with picking one for a playoff series is that both players(as number 1 centers) have not led their team to cups. Under Thornton, the sharks have been to the WCF 3 times and a stanley cup finals appearance once. If people pick Getzlaf, they are doing it mainly out of his 2007 run, where he was 4th, possibly the 5th best player during that run.

 

[GreatGonzo]

Definitely agree. Kind of reflects the difficulty to weigh RS against POs. The former represents a larger sample size, while the latter, well, represents ''crunch time'', when the level of competition and opponents is stronger.

Getzlafs playoff resume isn't that great to the extent that it matches or is better than Thorntons regular season resume.

 

[Terry Yake]

i get that they're in the same division but this is an odd comparison

thornton has been in the league 7 seasons longer than getzlaf has

 

[Sensinitis]

The problem with picking one for a playoff series is that both players(as number 1 centers) have not led their team to cups. Under Thornton, the sharks have been to the WCF 3 times and a stanley cup finals appearance once. If people pick Getzlaf, they are doing it mainly out of his 2007 run, where he was 4th, possibly the 5th best player during that run.

If people are doing that, then they are being unreasonable. Getzlaf has been terrific in other playoff runs, in which he's been the clear 1C:

09 - lost in 7 to the defending champs, and eventual cup finalists, one win away from repeating (Red Wings). Getzlaf went 18 in 13, and 10 in 7 against the Wings.

14 - lost in 7 to the eventual champs (Kings). Getzlaf went 15 in 12, and 8 in 7 against the Kings.

15 - lost in 7 to the eventual champs (Hawks). Getzlaf went 20 in 18, and 8 in 7 against the Hawks.

17 - lost in 6 to the Preds in the West final. Getzlaf went 19 in 17, but only 4 in 6 against the Preds. Nevertheless an impressive run.

More broadly, I don't see much reason in the premise that a player needs to win the cup to be eligible as a worthy playoff performer.