Nick Bjugstad vs Brock Nelson vs Anders Lee

[IceManCat]

Crazy to think this thread is on the cusp of being 8 years old

 

[SI90]

Ironically Bjugstad was touted as the "goalscorer" with an incredible shot.

Sucks because I really think the injuries affected him.

I remember that playoff series against the islanders he looked amazing.

 

[57special]

Ironically Bjugstad was touted as the "goalscorer" with an incredible shot.

Well, he does have a great shot, and his uncle is a great shooting coach, but i always thought the hype about him with the Gophers was OTT. Erik Haula outscored him there.
Bjugstad was always considered a "beast" because of his size, but anyone who knew anything about the two growing up would know that Lee was always the true physical force of the two, though both were huge.. Very strong on his skates, and in general.

 

[IceManCat]

Well, he does have a great shot, and his uncle is a great shooting coach, but i always thought the hype about him with the Gophers was OTT. Erik Haula outscored him there.
Bjugstad was always considered a "beast" because of his size, but anyone who knew anything about the two growing up would know that Lee was always the true physical force of the two, though both were huge.. Very strong on his skates, and in general.

I would echo that, I would say Bjugstad's biggest issue is his physicality along with general IQ.

 

[boredmale]

Lee 343 gp, 124 g, 83 a

Nelson 398 gp, 99 g, 89 a

Bjugstad 362 gp, 82 g, 97 a

And the beat goes on. Would caution anyone about to crow about Lee's present dominance. If this thread has taught us anything, it's that we need to be humble when asserting our opinions.

But ndgolden was Lee's biggest backer from Day 1, does he have the right to brag

 

[LordNeverLose]

This thread is always a fun bump. Crazy to see all the people saying Lee would never be more than grinder and that he didn't belong in the conversation. Now he's unquestionably the best of the 3.

 

[Mogo]

I would echo that, I would say Bjugstad's biggest issue is his physicality along with general IQ.

His hockey IQ is horrible. I used to be a huge Bjugstad fan.

 

[Riseonfire]

I would echo that, I would say Bjugstad's biggest issue is his physicality along with general IQ.

If you replace Bjugstad with Nelson the sentence is still true. Nelson's wrist shot is deadly, but also super slow. Worse than a spirit bomb slow.

 

[Lundell4Prez]

Bjugstad’s IQ is very low.. skill is there if the light ever turns on.

 

[blinkman360]

Crazy to think how far Lee has come. Hopefully we lock him up - soon. Can't take seeing another one of my favorites leave.

 

[57special]

But ndgolden was Lee's biggest backer from Day 1, does he have the right to brag

Yes, as long as he understands that HE might look like an ass 3 years from now. Some of the arguments on this thread are Comedy Gold, though.

 

[Castle8130]

You could still argue that bjugstad is better than Nelson. Bjugstad just has his little moments of looking amazing.

 

[57special]

You could still argue that bjugstad is better than Nelson. Bjugstad just has his little moments of looking amazing.

Sure, but Nelson was also called an amazing two way player, and references were made how he outplayed JT at camps. Like I said, funny stuff.

At this point, both Nelson and Bjugstad have to be considered disappointing relative to early expectations. Bjugstad has the excuse of injuries, at least. It's not like their careers are over...still time for a breakout of some sort.

 

[saintunspecified]

NYI haven't helped Brock Nelson's development at all. I think his game really took a step back when Nielsen and Okposo left. Before then, Nelson was gravy scoring on the wing. After he was counted on to be a center, a role that just doesn't fit who he is.

I really believe that Lee will be a 25-35 goal scorer for a long time in the NHL. Injuries can change everything, but his combination of skill and strength is rare. If anyone can score 20 goals into his late 30's a la Dave Andreychuk, it's Anders Lee.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Sure, but Nelson was also called an amazing two way player, and references were made how he outplayed JT at camps. Like I said, funny stuff.

At this point, both Nelson and Bjugstad have to be considered disappointing relative to early expectations. Bjugstad has the excuse of injuries, at least. It's not like their careers are over...still time for a breakout of some sort.

I have been writing recently about the impact Trotz might have on Nelson because the opinions back in the day of Nelson having a two way game aren't false, it's just his development. Went from a two way center outlook to a 'better on the wing' forward.

Curious to see if Trotz can make him a defensive player again.

 

[LordNeverLose]

NYI haven't helped Brock Nelson's development at all. I think his game really took a step back when Nielsen and Okposo left. Before then, Nelson was gravy scoring on the wing. After he was counted on to be a center, a role that just doesn't fit who he is.

I really believe that Lee will be a 25-35 goal scorer for a long time in the NHL. Injuries can change everything, but his combination of skill and strength is rare. If anyone can score 20 goals into his late 30's a la Dave Andreychuk, it's Anders Lee.

I'm also in the camp of thinking he's a better winger, but Nelson's best stretch as a pro came centering Lee and Strome

 

[saintunspecified]

I'm also in the camp of thinking he's a better winger, but Nelson's best stretch as a pro came centering Lee and Strome

It's a good point. The thing was, Strome facilitated that line from the wing, and that was definitely the high point of his career.

 

[57special]

Remember when Strome was this young, untouchable player for NYI?

 

[seafoam]

Remember when Strome was this young, untouchable player for NYI?

Yeah, good times.

49 points in 37 AHL contests followed by a 50 point campaign in 81 NHL games. I think any team's fanbase on here would have been hyping up a prospect who had done that, and was a top 5 pick to boot.

 

[North Country]

Islanders need to take the chains off Nelson and let him showcase his offensive abilities.
Lee is simply out muscles smaller players and is a positioning genius.
Bug's hockey IQ is just fine and had a very solid season. Look for him to gain major confidence and take off stats wise if he continues to stay healthy. Wheeler really started coming in to his own around the same age.
The best is still to come for all three of the Minnesota boys.

 

[Riseonfire]

It's a good point. The thing was, Strome facilitated that line from the wing, and that was definitely the high point of his career.

Thought he could be Kane-lite as the playmaking winger. Onto Ho-Sang now I guess.

 

[boredmale]

Can I change my answer from Lee to Nelson?

 

[SI90]

Can I change my answer from Lee to Nelson?

Epic thread lives!!!! All 3 just played in a playoff series!!!!

The isles Minnesota Duo is ahead!!!

 

[Lays]

Can I change my answer from Lee to Nelson?

Lee>>Nelson

 

[Thrasymachus]

I feel like this deserves a little bump.

Islanders have now locked up Lee and Nelson. Lee's totals understandably suffered without someone like Tavares on his line, but Nelson had a career year.

Will these contracts bite the isles down the line? Remains to be seen.

I still think that Bjugstad can turn the corner.