Quote:
Originally Posted by Haplo
I'd say Sundin was a top ten player for longer than Iginla. He just never had the absolute break out year(s) where he'd be top 3 and in the running for trophies.
But I think being 7th in all time GWGs, a PPG player over his career and his great international record warranted a first year induction.
Not being able to bring Toronto a cup seems to bring him down in a lot of peoples eyes, but he didn't have much of a supporting cast for most of his years. Kinda like Iginla.
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Sundin's top years came in the run-and-gun era, but I think you inadvertently hit on the difference between the two. Sundin was a steady, well above average forward for much of his career. Jarome Iginla was a steady, well above average forward who had several elite seasons.
Both have the gold... Sunding has three world champs and an Olympic gold. Iginla has a World Champ, two Olympic golds, World Cup, WJHC. In fact, one of the reasons why Scott Niedermayer is held out as being so great is the fact that he is the only player in history to win every major NA and world championship one can get - Memorial Cup, WJHC, Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold, WC/CC Gold, World Championship. Iginla needs only a Stanley Cup to match.
In terms of individual awards, Iginla's ability to be elite sets him apart. Sundin won the Messier and was named a second team All-Star a couple times. Iginla was all-rookie, 3x first team and 1x second team All-Star, 2x Richard, Art Ross, Lester Pearson, Messier, Clancy and was screwed out of the Hart.
Iginla > Sundin. But that is not to say that Sundin should not have been a first ballot HHOF. I do have a hard time putting him before Shanahan, however.