Lol so you pass over the better player for a better "leader?" Toews is a winner because he played with Kane, Keith, Sharp, Seabrook, etc. aka arguably the best team in the NHL for a few of Toews' seasons. Stamkos on CHI is just as good a "leader" and just as much a winner.
- isles10289

You are so wrong! Must not have seen Toews play much. The guy is a beast in front of the net, he wins the puck battles in the corners. He keeps the other guy from scoring as well. He can score and can set the other guy up to as well. (remember the pass to Bickle to tie the game in game 6) He plays the PP and the PK very well I will say. Captain Serious is an elite player in the NHL not just a great leader. But he is that as well. What you should have said is man are Kane, Keith, Sharp, Seabrook lucky to be playing with Jonathan Toews. You forgot Hossa. He kinda helps a little also.

Additionally, I understand that scoring goals is a necessity to winning games. But you cant look past the fact that stopping a goal is equally important. Toews has the ability to do both more so than Stamkos. And if scoring goals (and keeping the opposition from scoring goals) is important to winning games, then what is winning games important for? If you follow this trail far enough, you get to a relatively obvious conclusion that is the ultimate goal of doing anything on the ice is to win the Stanley Cup. Because of this, it is impossible to omit winning Cups from a MAJOR factor in who is the better player. No, Colin Fraser is not better than Stamkos. But when comparing two players who are similar in talent level, yes, Stanley Cups is a major factor in determining who is better. It is not the only factor, but to disregard it altogether is incredibly foolish and shortsighted.

EK can we get a Nash vs Tavares vs Hall blog? That should be fun to see. All our fan bases have been arguing who is better for a couple of weeks now

sigh....(actually reads article) Yeah that makes more sense. I go with Stamkos. Scoring like his is very rare and if a real team is built around him, look out. If you put Stamkos in CHI they still win 2 cups. Toews is a great leader and two-way player but ask Bergeron how that worked out all those years Boston sucked ass. Stamkos is going through a similar issue, his team has a lot of holes.

As for the D, I'll take Suter. A true #1 D is a must have for winning a cup. For example Chara or Keith.
- glove_was_stuck

Bergeron was more offensive minded and not a very solid 2-way center back when Boston sucked. Once Bergeron developed a more complete game and gave up some of his offense for exceptional defence, Boston became a contender...

other things helped too, like Chara and Thomas, but the Bruins success coincides greatly with Bergeron's lower offensive numbers.

Since when Is babcock the smartest Hockey guy in the world. It comes down to opinion who you think is more valuable to a team, but in terms on who is the bigger generational talent I think the edge goes to the 50 goal scorer who plays on a pretty bad team.
- mighty13duck

been widely accepted as one of them (on a very short list) for quite a while now.

is this a serious question?

Since when Is babcock the smartest Hockey guy in the world. It comes down to opinion who you think is more valuable to a team, but in terms on who is the bigger generational talent I think the edge goes to the 50 goal scorer who plays on a pretty bad team.
- mighty13duck

I guess watching hockey isn't your thing. Cool.

So a player who scores goals is more important than a player who scores goals, leads, kills penalties, makes everyone around him better, top 5 in faceoffs, and on and on. Good luck with that.

been widely accepted as one of them (on a very short list) for quite a while now.

is this a serious question?
- Big_Lightnin

There are many great coaches, players etc. from the past that can say a lot. Doesn't mean much. I think some people are overvaluing his opinion. Toews is a great player but hes not the best. May not even be top five

I guess watching hockey isn't your thing. Cool.

So a player who scores goals is more important than a player who scores goals, leads, kills penalties, makes everyone around him better, top 5 in faceoffs, and on and on. Good luck with that.
- robhawks

Not what I said. Also many of those things you said also are shown by Stamkos.

Not what I said. Also many of those things you said also are shown by Stamkos.
- mighty13duck

Not at the same level.



And yeah, maybe don't listen to the guy that coaches the Number #1 (Canada) hockey team in the world.

This is getting too redundant. The message isn't getting across because Stamkos scores more goals he is obviously better. No need for anybody to comment any more. Stamkos does "1" thing better. End of story.

Not at the same level.



And yeah, maybe don't listen to the guy that coaches the Number #1 (Canada) hockey team in the world.

This is getting too redundant. The message isn't getting across because Stamkos scores more goals he is obviously better. No need for anybody to comment any more. Stamkos does "1" thing better. End of story.
- robhawks

Let me ask you would you consider Toews second best in the world?

Let me ask you would you consider Toews second best in the world?
- mighty13duck

A lot of people have him top 5. Personally I take Stamkos. It's easier to find a Toews-lite so to speak like a Chris Drury like player to anchor your 2nd line and take the big defensive shifts, than it is to find a 60 goal scorer. Both players are easily franchise players though

A lot of people have him top 5. Personally I take Stamkos. It's easier to find a Toews-lite so to speak like a Chris Drury like player to anchor your 2nd line and take the big defensive shifts, than it is to find a 60 goal scorer. Both players are easily franchise players though
- sbroads24

He scored 60 goals once.

Plenty of snipers out there too. Easy to find Stamkos-lite. Probably easier to find a goal scorer rather than someone who does literally everything in hockey at a high level.

Here's a question: Can you name something Toews isn't good at?

Or

Who would have a longer list of "so-so/average" hockey essentials?

[quote=robhawks]He scored 60 goals once.

Plenty of snipers out there too. Easy to find a Stamkos-lite. Just about any player that scores is Stamkos-lite. Same thing can be said about Toews. HE DOES EVERYTHINGGGGGGGGGGG.

Probably easier to find a goal scorer rather than someone who does literally everything in hockey at a high level.

Here's a question: Can you name something Toews isn't good at?

Or

Who would have a longer list of "so-so/average" hockey essentials?


Edited. Ooooops.

He scored 60 goals once.

Plenty of snipers out there too. Probably easier to find a goal scorer rather than someone who does literally everything in hockey at a high level.

Here's a question: Can you name something Toews isn't good at?

Or

Who would have a longer list of "so-so/average" hockey essentials?
- robhawks

Toews is a top 10 NHL player. IMO Stamkos is top 3. What I meant was its tougher to find a franchise goal scorer like Stamkos. They usually are generational talents. If I were building a team and could choose 1 player, I would take Stamkos and then focus on getting a Mike Richards type player to play the tough minutes Toews plays. Either way you really can't go wrong with either player

He scored 60 goals once.

Plenty of snipers out there too. Easy to find Stamkos-lite. Probably easier to find a goal scorer rather than someone who does literally everything in hockey at a high level.

Here's a question: Can you name something Toews isn't good at?

Or

Who would have a longer list of "so-so/average" hockey essentials?
- robhawks

How many times has Toews even scored 35 goals? 0. Stamkos is a better power play guy, better skater, faster, better shot, better offensive awareness. Stamkos is also a leader and will be our future Captain for a looongg time, scores more goals, gets more assists, is highly regarded as the 2nd best player in the whole world (one could argue him or Malkin). but what does the whole world know right? you're right man. Toews is just SO much better. not to mention, one of the most exciting guys in the league!

Toews is a top 10 NHL player. IMO Stamkos is top 3. What I meant was its tougher to find a franchise goal scorer like Stamkos. They usually are generational talents. If I were building a team and could choose 1 player, I would take Stamkos and then focus on getting a Mike Richards type player to play the tough minutes Toews plays. Either way you really can't go wrong with either player
- sbroads24

Yeah I agree with you man. Like ive said a bunch of times, this is no knock on Toews at all. Extraordinary player. I just don't know how you don't pick Stamkos in this situation lol.

How many times has Toews even scored 35 goals? 0. Stamkos is a better power play guy, better skater, faster, better shot, better offensive awareness. Stamkos is also a leader and will be our future Captain for a looongg time, scores more goals, gets more assists, is highly regarded as the 2nd best player in the whole world (one could argue him or Malkin). but what does the whole world know right? you're right man. Toews is just SO much better. not to mention, one of the most exciting guys in the league!
- BoltsFan4Life

Everything you said is about goals.

Actually, Toews is highly regarded as the best player in the world not named Sydney.

I get it, goals and offense seems to be some people's viewpoint. Many people said, including me, that Stamkos is better offensively

Toews is a generational player. Toews is someone who (here we go again) excels at everything. Of course Stam has more goals, that's all he is required to do. Toews plays all situations on off/defs.

Something to consider, how would Stamkos numbers be if he played the type of defense/3 zone play that Toews does?



Once again, Stamkos is better offensively.

Toews is better all-round.


THERE IS MORE TO HOCKEY THAN GOALS.

Everything you said is about goals.

Actually, Toews is highly regarded as the best player in the world not named Sydney.

I get it, goals and offense seems to be some people's viewpoint. Many people said, including me, that Stamkos is better offensively

Toews is a generational player. Toews is someone who (here we go again) excels at everything. Of course Stam has more goals, that's all he is required to do. Toews plays all situations on off/defs.

Something to consider, how would Stamkos numbers be if he played the type of defense/3 zone play that Toews does?



Once again, Stamkos is better offensively.

Toews is better all-round.


THERE IS MORE TO HOCKEY THAN GOALS.
- robhawks

Their is more to hockey than goals, but considering the wide gap in offensive production between the two your point doesn't hold much weight. If they both were close in goals and points and Toews had all his other intangibles I would agree, however Stamkos has many more goals and points than Toews over the last few years.

EK can we get a Nash vs Tavares vs Hall blog? That should be fun to see. All our fan bases have been arguing who is better for a couple of weeks now
- mighty13duck

Nash is not the same level as Hall or JT
Gaborik on the other hand is close...

Their is more to hockey than goals, but considering the wide gap in offensive production between the two your point doesn't hold much weight. If they both were close in goals and points and Toews had all his other intangibles I would agree, however Stamkos has many more goals and points than Toews over the last few years.
- sbroads24

FYI someone did the math on points per minute on the ice a couple pages ago, and believe it or not, the two are virtually tied. So I wouldn't think Toews concedes even the offensive part of the equation that quickly.

Without even looking I can guarantee that Stamkos would be at best, break even in +/- while Toews is always among the league leaders...

So uh... if you want the guy that scores you 7 and gives up eight, and I take the guy that scores 7 and gives up 3, I'll see you guys at the draft...

Nash is not the same level as Hall or JT
Gaborik on the other hand is close...
- Danformo

Wait, are you saying Hall and JT are on the same level?

Wait, are you saying Hall and JT are on the same level?
- abware

Impossible.

Impossible.
- laughs2907

FYI someone did the math on points per minute on the ice a couple pages ago, and believe it or not, the two are virtually tied. So I wouldn't think Toews concedes even the offensive part of the equation that quickly.

Without even looking I can guarantee that Stamkos would be at best, break even in +/- while Toews is always among the league leaders...

So uh... if you want the guy that scores you 7 and gives up eight, and I take the guy that scores 7 and gives up 3, I'll see you guys at the draft...
- busmaster

Thank you. A sign of intelligent life.

Actually I totally forgot about +/-. Another thing Toews excels at.

I posed a question a while back that no one has answered yet.......Can you name me something that Toews is not that great at?

You can build your team around Pavel Bure, or you can build your team around Steve Yzerman. Frankly, the Yzermans win cups. The Bures don't (barring they pull a Robitaille/Hull last ditch run). You see teams trying to build around these types again and again, but the formula is no good. Bure was a great player and a hella fun to watch, but I've got to go with Yzerman.

(So, in the same spirit, I am going with Toews because Stamkos isn't the type you build your team around.)