Pretty much in that order, although I might bump Bergeron a spot.Gainey
Carbo
Datsyuk
Toews
Fedorov
Yzerman
Bergeron
Zetterberg
Stone
Kurri
Sakic
ROR
Elias
Modano
Buchnevich isn’t on Zibanejad’s level defensively. He’s been great on the PK this season but for overall defensive play Zibanejad is more proven and is better. Zibanejad is also one of the few centers in the league that play both PP1 and PK1, a list thats >5Buchnevich is our best defensive forward and one of our best offensive forwards.
His first NHL season AV was making xenophobic Russian jokes about his defense. Now Buch’s scoring short handed goals against AV’s worst in the league defense. Serves that perennial loser right.
Buchnevich isn’t on Zibanejad’s level defensively. He’s been great on the PK this season but for overall defensive play Zibanejad is more proven and is better. Zibanejad is also one of the few centers in the league that play both PP1 and PK1, a list thats >5
I’ve never seen Buchnevich make a play close to how Zibanejad bullied Dillon, strips the puck from him in his own zone, and then snipes the game winner. This isn’t even an outlier for Zibanejad, he can turn his defense into offense with a switch and creates numerous chances offensively with his defensive play. Buch is better in his own zone and positioning himself to poke at passes or loose picks but you would never see Buchnevich cleanly strip guys routinely like Zibanejad canZibanejad is also good defensively. I think Rangers fans are too tough on his defensive stats. He's better defensively than the stats suggest, but I'd give Buchnevich a slight advantage defensively due to a better hockey sense on the defensive end and better defensive stats in recent seasons. It's close though.
From the three you stated, I'd also include Lafreniere. While Kakko and Lafreniere might be lacking so far in points, I thought both were very good defensively last season.
Including PK
This thread is partially in honor of the recent Selke finalists who have made tremendous efforts this season
Wow very sad! I don't think there are too many Kings fans on here :-(It really took 43 posts for Kopitar's name to come up? wow