Fedorov had the better absolute peak (as in one single season), but Sakic's prime was longer and more consistently combined great regular seasons and playoffs (whereas a lot of Fedorov's best playoff years came with good but not amazing regular seasons). So it depends on how you interpret the question but I'd lean towards Sakic.
There are three players in NHL history that have registered 4 consecutive 20-point playoffs. Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, and Sergei Fedorov. You can't have a discussion about Fedorov's prime without including his playoff accomplishments during that period from 1995 to 1998. He is one of the greatest playoff performers of all-time, and was by far the most important and most productive forward on the Red Wings during the playoffs during the 1990's. Fedorov led the Red Wings in Stanley Cup Finals scoring in 3 of the 4 times they were there between 1995 and 2002. He was the leading cumulative Cup Finals scorer on the Red Wings as well, and by a wide margin, I might add. To illustrate just how dominant a playoff performer Fedorov was, take into account that he scored 134 playoff points in the 1990's, good for third behind the 136 of Mario Lemieux and 135 of Jaromir Jagr, who racked up most of those points playing together until Lemieux retired after 1997. Mike Vernon had no business winning the Conn Smythe in 1997. Fedorov was by far the best player on the ice that spring, with an honorable mention to Nick Lidstrom.
Agree with everything you say, BOG. Sakic wins this because his prime was so much longer, not because he peaked higher.
IMO Sakics 2001 Hart trophy season > Feddys 94 Hart season. Federov had 2 more points but Sakic led his team to the Cup as well.
Joe Sakic in a landslide. Fedorov was really only played to a level comparable to Sakic's through 1990/91-1997/98, a span of 8 seasons. Joe Sakic didn't understand the meaning of a "downseason", he played consistently amazing through all of his 20 seasons in the NHL.
IMO Sakics 2001 Hart trophy season > Feddys 94 Hart season. Federov had 2 more points but Sakic led his team to the Cup as well.
Right, but Fedorov's prime ended in 1998 with his holdout.
In his prime he was scoring at the same pace as Joe (better some years, worse some years) and was far superior in the defensive aspect of the game.
Thus, Fedorov by a large margin for me.
Players since 1980 to Captain a team to a Cup victory and win the Hart Trophy in the same season:
Wayne Gretzky,
Mark Messier,
Joe Sakic
Fair enough. Just wanted to point out how hard it is to be the best player during the season and also win the Stanley Cup. Most Hart Trophy winners don't end up winning a cup that year.