Mats Sundin was not named as the best player to wear #13, it went to Pavel Datsyuk

[Leaf Fans]

I think that is a fair assessment , and I don't think it diminishes Sundin's quality.

 

[LeafsNation75]

I agree its closer than many think, but I like that the cup winner datsyuk took this one. Sundin was one of the most superiour players I witnessed play back with Quinn etc. He was like a bear. Reminded of jagr in the corners, sundin was even heavier looking. None of those suckas could get the puck off that fool. I always waited with a passion to see sundin play. He really made all of us tik and tok. Bout that life and ice hockey. What a leader, also vocally and leader wise sundin was better than datsyuk, but the stanley cup was the only thang that was missing. Sundin was a bear inside of a lion's mouth. None of those fools could drop him. He destroyed ottawa, always.

The part I bolded reminded me of when Sundin recorded his 1000th career point.

 

[Thread The Needle]

I don't envy the people who had to make that choice. It's not possible for me to decide.

 

[93LEAFS]

I can't fault them for it. Either would work. But, Datsyuk has more hardware and cups, which tend to make a significant difference in these things. Either way, both will likely have their numbers retired by an O6 franchise, which is a hell of an accomplishment.

 

[LeafsNation75]

I can't fault them for it. Either would work. But, Datsyuk has more hardware and cups, which tend to make a significant difference in these things. Either way, both will likely have their numbers retired by an O6 franchise, which is a hell of an accomplishment.

You mean Datsyuk will have his number retired at some point by the Red Wings, because Sundin's number was retired by the Maple Leafs prior to their home opener during the 2016-17 season.

 

[93LEAFS]

You mean Datsyuk will have his number retired at some point by the Red Wings, because Sundin's number was retired by the Maple Leafs prior to their home opener during the 2016-17 season.

Datsyuk's isn't retired yet, likely due to him still playing and the off-chance he comes back to the NHL. I'm well aware of Sundin's numbers being retired when we changed the policy and is one of the numbers I would say clearly deserved it (I personally would have been more restrictive in retired numbers, but since some were already honored they also got retired).

 

[1specter]

It's close. Datsyuk played on some legendary teams chock full of HoFers in their primes. Sundin was far and away the best player on the team for pretty much his entire tenure, and was the #1 threat up front.

I give Datsyuk the edge on defense, but I am hesitant to say Datsyuk is better on offense despite having similar production. Sundin was the better natural goal scorer though and there is zero debate there, just like Datsyuk being better at D.

 

[Superstar]

If only Sundin had Yzerman, Federov, Shanahan, Hull, Robitaille, Lidstrom, Chelios, etc. on his Maple Leaf teams...I guess Hoglund wasn't too shabby...

 

[LeafsNation75]

If only Sundin had Yzerman, Federov, Shanahan, Hull, Robitaille, Lidstrom, Chelios, etc. on his Maple Leaf teams...I guess Hoglund wasn't too shabby...

At least Sundin had Steve Thomas as well on his line and he was a better player then Hoglund.

 

[al secord]

Blasphemer!

It's hard to argue with the hardware.

However, in their primes, i'm taking Sundin.

 

[al secord]

If only Sundin had Yzerman, Federov, Shanahan, Hull, Robitaille, Lidstrom, Chelios, etc. on his Maple Leaf teams...I guess Hoglund wasn't too shabby...

You're seriously underrating the Great Jonas Hoglund.

 

[Commander Clueless]

I love Mats, but prime Datsyuk was a ridiculously incredible player. Zero issue with him getting the nod over Sundin.

 

[Holymakinaw]

Datsyuk was for sure the "better #13". Sundin may have been better offensively, but Datsyuk was way better defensively AND still had many 80+ points seasons, plus 2 Cups, and 3 Selkes. He was dominant.

I wouldn't even put Sundin at 2nd best. Selanne should have that, even though he switched back/forth bewteen #13 and #8. He was SUPER dominant offensively, and won a Calder, a Rocket, and a cup.

Sundin should sit comfortably at 3rd.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Glad to see it was close enough to spark a big debate.

I agree with it going to Datsyuk, I wouldn't disagree with Sundin either.

 

[CreeksideStrangler]

Sundin was clutch on a far worse team. Datz is a great two way guy on an also great team. Hard to compare but I would take big Mats for the fact he had to carry the team on his back for the bulk of his career

 

[1specter]

Datsyuk was for sure the "better #13". Sundin may have been better offensively, but Datsyuk was way better defensively AND still had many 80+ points seasons, plus 2 Cups, and 3 Selkes. He was dominant.

I wouldn't even put Sundin at 2nd best. Selanne should have that, even though he switched back/forth bewteen #13 and #8. He was SUPER dominant offensively, and won a Calder, a Rocket, and a cup.

Sundin should sit comfortably at 3rd.

Look, I'm not trying to take away any of Datsyuk's accomplishments as he was a fantastic player, but I think there is a real discussion or debate that could be had in terms of the quality of players, especially when factoring in teams and level of support.

During Sundin's tenure as a Leaf, could you ever say there was a year where he was not the best player on the team? Mogilny slightly outscored him in '03, but even then I wouldn't argue that Mogilny was better or more valuable to the team. I don't think there is any debate that Sundin was certifiably the best player on the team all of those seasons.

With Datsyuk, was he the best player on his team every season? Arguable. His first few seasons, he had Yzerman, Hull, Shanahan, Fedorov, Lidstrom etc who were still all stars at that time. Post-lockout he reached elite levels, but even during the Cup run years ('08,'09), you could argue that Zetterberg or Lidstrom were just as valuable or better. Zetterberg himself was nominated for a Selke in 2008, played both wing and centre and was an incredible playoff performer, winning a Smythe while shutting down Crosby and almost doing it again in 2009. Datsyuk's playoff numbers pale in comparison to his. Then you have Lidstrom, who I don't think I need to speak for really...and they had Marian Hossa for their 2009 run as well.

As a a Leaf, did Sundin ever have anyone close to a Zetterberg or a Lidstrom? Hell, did he have anything close to even one season of Marian Hossa, or Brian Rafalski? The best teammate Mats ever had in the NHL was Joe Sakic on the Nordiques. Sakic is also unanimously considered to be better than Mats, yet when the two played together, Mats was actually outscoring him by his third season. If the Nordiques never traded Sundin, and proceeded to still get Forsberg they would've been a dynasty and Sundin is probably held in much higher regard overall.

 

[IPS]

I know Datsyuk was on the Red Wings team that won the Cup in 2002, however I don't think he was considered to be a main reason why they won that year. Looking at his playoffs stats in 2002 he had 3 Goals and 3 Assists in 21 playoff games.

He was a 4th liner on a ridiculously stacked Wings team.

 

[LeafsNation75]

He was a 4th liner on a ridiculously stacked Wings team.

Was he really on their 4th line at that time? If so that's something people should take into account when they mention his two Stanley Cups.

 

[Superstar]

You're seriously underrating the Great Jonas Hoglund.

His one 29 goal season really gave Brett Hull a run for the money...if Hoglund had a better centre than Sundin, he would have tied Hull for 50 goals in 50 games...

 

[Superstar]

At least Sundin had Steve Thomas as well on his line and he was a better player then Hoglund.

You mean Steve Thomas the Hall of Famer?

And I love Stumpy as a player.

 

[PromisedLand]

I'm torn on this. I think what Pavel Datsyuk did in his career earns him a nod over Mats. The cups, the small stature and the advanced hockey sense. My favorite player of all time!

This!

My sentiments exactly! Magic Man was SPECIAL!

 

[Menzinger]

Even tbough id still back Sundin, man those peak Wings teams were a lot of fun to watch....

Im curious what their payroll was like lol. Will have to look that up

 

[IPS]

This!

My sentiments exactly! Magic Man was SPECIAL!

Although he had some fantastic point totals they didn't exactly jump off the screen. His overall impact on the ice was insane. He got overshadowed by peaking in the same era as Crosby/Malkin/Ovechkin.

 

[Morbo]

I don't know about that. Datsyuk was well known as one of the league's top stickhandlers. That man could dangle.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I have no issue with that