OT: Who was the better player Fedorov or Datsyuk?

[InjuredChoker]

Fedorov. despite Fedorov's reputation for slacking in the regular season, their career PPG is pretty close, but Fedorov took it to another level in the playoffs. The guy was a beast.

and fedorov played basically always elite level defense during the regular season, though he didn't push as offensively after 96. maybe it was all those hard post-season losses.

and fedorov's ppg is lowered by his twilight years which shouldn't be knock against him.

peak, career, all fedorov. 120 points. second in scoring only to great one while playing elite D and winning selke.. also playoffs, yeah not close.

 

[InjuredChoker]

I still think 97 conn smythe should have gone to fedorov, not vernon.

 

[JPE123]

I'm starting to think, with how close this poll is, that many forum members didn't see prime Fedorov play. Feds was a better offensive player. Defense they are close, but we played Feds at defense because he wanted more icetime and he was a damn good DMan. Creativity goes to Datsyuk. But Feds was one of the fastest players to play the game, ever. Slap shot and wristshot goes to Feds big time. Didn't he win a hardest slapshot competition at an allstar game?

I think you're right. Memories tend to fade with time also. Some may not remember what a beast Feds could be. Pavel's experience is more fresh in the mind. I'm guilty of it myself so I went back and looked at some Federov video. Guy was an absolute stud

 

[Detroit Sports*]

I'm starting to think, with how close this poll is, that many forum members didn't see prime Fedorov play. Feds was a better offensive player. Defense they are close, but we played Feds at defense because he wanted more icetime and he was a damn good DMan. Creativity goes to Datsyuk. But Feds was one of the fastest players to play the game, ever. Slap shot and wristshot goes to Feds big time. Didn't he win a hardest slapshot competition at an allstar game?

I think Fedorov has him in D too.He played as a D man.Anyone remember want he was top 4? When he played D?

 

[Sentinel]

I agree. People who are voting Dats have either never watched Feds play or can't get over his departure.

 

[DarkReign]

Fedorov

Sergei was better at everything, except incredibly flashy dangles. He shot harder, skated faster, was just as good a passer and could have played goalie if he had to.

Bigger, stronger, faster, just as skilled...better.

 

[PullHard]

Fedorov's peak > Datsyuk's peak IMO.

 

[SoupNazi]

Fedorov's peak > Datsyuk's peak IMO.

Looking at the stats, it really isn't even debatable. Fedorov's peak was better than Datsyuk's by quite a bit.

 

[PullHard]

Looking at the stats, it really isn't even debatable. Fedorov's peak was better than Datsyuk's by quite a bit.

I guess the argument for Datsyuk would be his consistency and longevity.

 

[ArGarBarGar]

I guess the argument for Datsyuk would be his consistency and longevity.

Didn't Datsyuk get hammered by fans during his early years for being a good regular season performer but poor playoff performer?

 

[DarkReign]

I think Fedorov has him in D too.He played as a D man.Anyone remember want he was top 4? When he played D?

He was a second pairing dman, iirc, and it didnt last long...less than a season, but he played well. Lidstrom was prime then and he was paired with Murphy.

Maybe my memory is fuzzy...googled.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1004779/index.htm

 

[InjuredChoker]

Didn't Datsyuk get hammered by fans during his early years for being a good regular season performer but poor playoff performer?

it's still a bit of a knock imo.

he was amazing in 11. especially phoenix series. one of the best performances by single player.

very disappointing against hawks last year, good against the ducks.

meh against the preds.

otherwise solid between, disappointing before his second cup win. looking at stats he seemed to be pretty good in 07 but i recall him being pretty underwhelming against the ducks.

 

[PullHard]

Didn't Datsyuk get hammered by fans during his early years for being a good regular season performer but poor playoff performer?

Yeah, but it looks likely that he will still be a top player well into his late 30s/early 40s(?) (how old will he be when this extension is up?)

Yes Datsyuk started out slow in regards to playoff production, for sure. I think that his performances from 2007-2011 help to make up for that, but it doesn't make it go away.

 

[RedWingsNow*]

Fedorov's peak happened before the onset of the dead puck era, right?
Too close to call for me.

 

[Hammettf2b]

Gonna have to go with Fedorov on this one. It really isnt close for me.

 

[Johnz96*]

Looking at the stats, it really isn't even debatable. Fedorov's peak was better than Datsyuk's by quite a bit.

Are you serious???
Everybody's stats were better then by quite a bit because for the sake of parity bettman allowed the goalie equipment to get bigger and bigger, leaving less net to shoot at, restricting talent and skill to give weaker teams a better chance of winning games and minimizing blowouts.

 

[ashenhigh]

Datsyuk is my favorite player and has been since #19 retired, but I gotta go with Fedorov on this one. At his best, Fedorov was one of the all-around best players I have ever seen play hockey.

 

[19 for president]

I like Dats more, but Feds wins this. Regular season they are very close. Feds did more on natural talent while Dats did more on effort (Which really says something about how talented Feds is). In the playoffs though its all Feds. He may be one of the most consistent/best playoff performers of all time. I mean when all was said and done he had 4 back to back 20 pt playoffs, and then got back to 19 pts during the 01/02 run. Add to the fact that this was done in the low scoring 90s and its even more impressive.

 

[BinCookin]

I voted Yzerman !

 

[Mount Suribachi]

Fedorov - skating, size, slap shot, wrist shot, one timer, playoffs
Datsyuk - stickhandling, backhand, regular season
Tie - defense

Dats is my favourite, but Sergei is the better player.

 

[TatarTangle]

This is a lot closer than what I thought it'd be. If this poll was on the main board I think it'd be different.

Fedorov AINEC

 

[aar000n]

Fedorov was able to hang and outscore gretsky Dats does not have the shot accuracy that Federov had.

 

[InjuredChoker]

This is a lot closer than what I thought it'd be. If this poll was on the main board I think it'd be different.

Fedorov AINEC

main board? main board thinks crosby> every center except gretzky and lemieux. well in some cases over both of them.

 

[TatarTangle]

main board? main board thinks crosby> every center except gretzky and lemieux. well in some cases over both of them.

Talent wise they have a point for the former. The latter is ridiculous on their part. But anyone who denies Crosby's talent shouldn't be discussing hockey.

Fedorov gets 9/10 votes on the main board, I believe. As he should. It's no knock to Datsyuk but there aren't too many players from any era that I take before Fedorov. Guy could do everything at an elite level. I still take his stride and skating over Bure, Coffey, Orr, etc etc etc

 

[Bench]

Fedorov is the greatest Russian to ever play.

That about sums it up for me.