Pat LaFontaine Versus Alex Mogilny

[GlitchMarner]

Two formers Sabres. Each was a top ten scorer in the NHL twice. One is in the HHOF and the other isn't. Who was the better player?

Click to read more...

 

[Gurglesons]

Mogilny career wise. Lafontaine peak.

People are going to look at the straight numbers and Lafontaine’s 91-93 run, but Mogilny lead the league with 72 goals and then put up a couple dominate seasons in Toronto in the dead puck era along with actually being on two Stanley Cup Finalists.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Mogilny

 

[ESH]

Mogilny career wise. Lafontaine peak.

People are going to look at the straight numbers and Lafontaine’s 91-93 run, but Mogilny lead the league with 72 goals and then put up a couple dominate seasons in Toronto in the dead puck era along with actually being on two Stanley Cup Finalists.

I wouldn’t call anything that Mogilny did in Toronto “dominant”

 

[Gurglesons]

I wouldn’t call anything that Mogilny did in Toronto “dominant”

What exactly was his performance in the 02 playoffs and 02-03?

Bizarre take to be honest. Mogilny was very good the first two years of that contract and then had pretty significant surgery in 03-04. Just because the team underachieved in those years doesn’t mean Mogilny did.

 

[The Abusement Park]

I think Mogilny was the more talented player, but Lafontaine better maximized his ability in the NHL. But it’s pretty close.

 

[ESH]

What exactly was his performance in the 02 playoffs and 02-03?

Bizarre take to be honest. Mogilny was very good the first two years of that contract and then had pretty significant surgery in 03-04. Just because the team underachieved in those years doesn’t mean Mogilny did.

The bizarre take is calling either of those things dominant. Yeah he had a good season in 02-03. 11 points in 20 games in the playoffs though? Good job, 8 goals in 20 playoff games is solid.

If you think that’s dominant then that’s fine I guess. No point in arguing how we separately define dominant

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

It’s Lafontaine but Mogilny is super underrated and he should be in the HOF

 

[Gurglesons]

The bizarre take is calling either of those things dominant. Yeah he had a good season in 02-03. 11 points in 20 games in the playoffs though? Good job, 8 goals in 20 playoff games is solid.

If you think that’s dominant then that’s fine I guess. No point in arguing how we separately define dominant

He was one of the best 20 forwards in the league that year in the twilight years of his career

 

[BKarchitect]

I think Mogilny was the more talented player, but Lafontaine better maximized his ability in the NHL. But it’s pretty close.

Agree with this. Lafontaine obviosuly one of the best Americans to ever suit up. But Mogilny’s talent is underrated at this point. I forget who it was but they interviewed some former Canucks player from back in the day at one point who had played with and against both Mogilny and Bure and was asked who the more talented player was and he said Mogilny no question.

 

[Subway Schenn]

Almo.

 

[LongWayDown37]

It’s Patty, even in a shortened career. Mogilny is one of my all time favorite players though. And his story of escaping the iron curtain to get here is a thing of legends.

 

[Canadiens Ghost]

La-la-la-la-Lafontaine.

 

[Byron Bitz]

A better question would be, who drove the offence when they played on a line together?

 

[Esko6]

Pat Lafontaine the ASMR superstar.

 

[GoldenKnight]

Mogilny was the better player but Lafontaine ended up having the better career.

 

[Regal]

I think they were pretty close. LaFontaine was better in their one big season together, and was more consistently good, but I think Mogilny was probably more talented. People bring up the injuries for LaFontaine, but he played a bunch of full seasons with the Isles and wasn't exactly lighting the world on fire and Mlgilny had his share of injuries too.