Yeah, neither was anyone else until a few months ago.
I realize there's a 6 year age gap, but go ahead and poll GMs and ask if they'd rather have Kuznetsov or Matthews centering their top line.
Tom Wilson was a 1st round pick because some teams (like the Caps) like goons with some skill mixed in. I mean, are we supposed to herald him because he's not a completely worthless pylon out on the ice, but beats people up and makes a bunch of cheap shots, but can manage to pass Ovi the puck?
OK, besides watching games, what authority am I supposed to subscribe to? I mean, my view on Kopitar probably isn't great, but I've seen Kuznetsov for at least 40 games by now, and he's good, but not top 10 center material.
how isnt backstrom close offensively? he has 20p in playoffs playing on 1 hand. Before the injury backstrom had as many points as ovechkin kuzentsov.
I'm curious as to what qualities you look for in a top 10 center and which of those you think Kuznetsov has or is lacking.
i went to caps board and backstrom isnt very popular there. The most underrated player in the league for sure.
Let me be clear, the people that play with Ovi usually look good as playmakers. Backstrom is a better C than Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov is a superb C, but not a top 10 C, because of all the people I mentioned before. He has potential to be a top 10 C in the league, but that assumes they give him another good wing whose goal is scoring and not hitting.
My curiosity stands. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with you right now, but I'd like to know how you thought your list through.
If your view is accurate, it's pretty despicable that Caps fans have turned on Backstrom. As a fan of a division rival, I've viewed him like Bergeron and Toews over the years.
I rattled off 10 guys I'd rather have as my 1C and he was on it because he's been a consistent performer.
While I realize it's a different GM now, the Caps traded Forsberg for Martin Erat, so their evaluation of talent in the FO isn't winning my fandom.
Did you see the post that I quoted? I didn't say it, but I said if that's the case, it's pretty gross. He is one of their best players over the past 10 or so years, so it would be pretty bad if the fans are fading him now.
Well, you won't find a perfect GM in the league. That's why we have VGK in finals.
Glad he's still popular amongst the base, but let's not compare him with Walter Payton, because one is in the football HOF and the other won't have a chance to get in to the hockey HOF.
Where did this McPhee guy come from? Totally out of no where...
I don't troll the Caps board, so that's good to hear. You wouldn't be the first fanbase to turn on a franchise player, though, so nothing shocks me. The Pens are going to trade Crosby, Malkin or Letang depending on what month it is.The guy you quoted has a massive hard on for Backstrom and hates Kuznetsov. Obviously he would say that Caps fans have turned on Backstrom. Trust me, we all love Nicky
