Zetterberg-Sundin-Bertuzzi vs. Elias-Modano-Alfredsson

[SillyRabbit]

OP:

Which line would be better at their peaks?

HF:

“Here’s a 10 season sample size comparing their numbers.”

The first line is better at their peaks.

 

[silkyjohnson50]

OP:

Which line would be better at their peaks?

HF:

“Here’s a 10 season sample size comparing their numbers.”

The first line is better at their peaks.

Lol. 10 years is beyond most primes let alone peaks.

 

[Lateralous]

This thread just confirms that Patrik Elias is the most underrated player of the last few decades.

 

[rotiman187]

Live the Bertuzzi hate in this thread. Dude was a monster during his peak.

 

[The Tourist]

Bertuzzi sticks out like a sore thumb because he only had 2 great seasons followed by a huge drop off. He really doesn't belong in a comparison with these other players.

Raw Career PPG stats

Player	1.10+	1.00	0.90	0.80	0.70	Total
Sundin	3	7	6	0	1	17
Modano	3	7	4	1	2	17
Alfredsson	3	5	3	1	3	15
Zetterberg	2	4	2	3	1	12
Elias	2	2	3	3	4	14
Bertuzzi	2	0	0	2	1	5

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

* Sundin and Modano's stats are inflated slightly by starting a half dozen years during the tail-end of the video game stat era.

I would actually argue Modano's stats are down because he played for Gainey and Hitchcock during his prime years. Under a different head coach he probably has a few more 40-50 goal years in the mid 90's.

 

[trentmccleary]

I would actually argue Modano's stats are down because he played for Gainey and Hitchcock during his prime years. Under a different head coach he probably has a few more 40-50 goal years in the mid 90's.

Modano had one 40+ goal season in his entire career during a high scoring season. I can't see anything in his career stats that indicates his stats were ever hurt by his playing situation.

 

[Regal]

Modano had one 40+ goal season in his entire career during a high scoring season. I can't see anything in his career stats that indicates his stats were ever hurt by his playing situation.

The stats wouldn't show that though if Modano peaked while on a defensive team that stifled his offense. I don't think the effect was that dramatic as the team usually still scored a decent amount, but he probably would score a bit more at his peak if he was in the same situation as a couple other guys here. Elias is the one who would be more affected.

 

[garbageteam]

That first line would be absolutely devastating if they had a time machine (and maybe the ability to change the rules to fit certain playstyles that worked for that era). 07-08 Zetterberg with 02-03 Bertuzzi alone is monstrously scary, put any capable second line winger that has some chemistry with them and you probably have one of the very best lines in the NHL in the season. Essentially there is your WCE, except I think Zetterberg's peak was better than Naslund's so it's even stronger. Then add Sundin either the 95-96 or 01-02 season version and it's basically unstoppable with plenty of size, grit and skill in one line.

The second line is obviously elite when you take Alfredsson's amazing 05-06 season and match him up with two perennial top forwards in the league. But absolute career peak vs peak they just won't match up to what that first line could do. I don't think Modano was ever a top-10 scorer in any season AFAIK. Elias had an extremely impressive career as well but neither of those players were ever in the "best in the league" conversation.

If we went up to career the conversation changes dramatically, as line 1 has basically one dead weight for career achievement.

 

[Regal]

That first line would be absolutely devastating if they had a time machine (and maybe the ability to change the rules to fit certain playstyles that worked for that era). 07-08 Zetterberg with 02-03 Bertuzzi alone is monstrously scary, put any capable second line winger that has some chemistry with them and you probably have one of the very best lines in the NHL in the season. Essentially there is your WCE, except I think Zetterberg's peak was better than Naslund's so it's even stronger. Then add Sundin either the 95-96 or 01-02 season version and it's basically unstoppable with plenty of size, grit and skill in one line.

The second line is obviously elite when you take Alfredsson's amazing 05-06 season and match him up with two perennial top forwards in the league. But absolute career peak vs peak they just won't match up to what that first line could do. I don't think Modano was ever a top-10 scorer in any season AFAIK. Elias had an extremely impressive career as well but neither of those players were ever in the "best in the league" conversation.

If we went up to career the conversation changes dramatically, as line 1 has basically one dead weight for career achievement.

Modano finished 8th, 14th, 9th and 10th in a 4 season span from 99-00 to 02-03. He was also 4th in points per game in 97-98 but only played 52 games. Elias was also 3rd in scoring in '01. I don't think Sundin was any closer to best in the world conversations and if Zetterberg and Bertuzzi were it was only for really small samples (Zetterberg's '08 playoffs, and Bertuzzi's 40 game second half of '02).

 

[trentmccleary]

I don't think Modano was ever a top-10 scorer in any season AFAIK.

Here are all of their Top-10's

Player	T10 G	T10 GPG	T10 Pts	T10 PPG
TB-03	3	4	5	7
HZ-08	5	5	6	5
DA-06	9	10	4	3
DA-08	9	7	9	4
TB-02		7	3	1
MS-02	2	7	4
PE-04	4	4	6
PE-01	10		3	8
MM-00	8	9	8
MM-94	8	7
DA-04			7	9
MS-03	8	8
MS-97			7	10
MM-98				4
HZ-11			8
DA-02	9
MM-02			9
MM-03			10
PE-12			10
MS-98	10

[TBODY] [/TBODY]