Quote:
Originally Posted by Flash Walken
A poster posited that Iginla was the greatest goalscorer of the Dead Puck Era, a position I disagreed on. I argued that Nieuwendyk likely has a similar goals total over that same amount of time (the aforementioned 'Dead Puck Era') and likely had a higher goals per game.
You've compared Iginla's entire career to that of Joe's waning offensive days, and the comparison doesn't look that great.
Even with crediting Iginla with his most fruitful offensive seasons compared to Nieuwendyk's offensive decline, Nieuwendyk is still only .06 off of Iginla's Career goals per game total? This is somehow a dominant statistic?
Is the argument really that Iginla's entire goal scoring career is only .06 better than Nieuwendyk's declining offensive years during the lowest scoring period in hockey? At 37, Nieuwendyk put up 22 goals in 64 games when a Prime Iginla was scoring 41 in 81.
In 2005-2006, Nieuwendyk at 39 and utterly broken down scored 9 less goals than Iginla in 17 less games.
|
Well, most of this is between you and the other poster, I mainly just gave the numbers. But for all you want to argue that Niewuendyk was "waning", the truth is, this time frame encompasses most of Joe's prime as well, so please stop being disingenuous with the "Nieuwendyk's decline vs. Iginla's prime" argument.
I would also point to the caveats, which you completely glossed over - the fact that Niewuendyk played on vastly superior teams. Teams with better players to draw off top opposing defencemen, and to set up more goals for Nieuwendyk to both score and assist on.
I've never argued that this comparison is a blowout, but the numbers argue that Iginla is the better offensive player. Also, we well know how Iginla turned Craig Conroy from a checking-line centre into a 70 point player. IMO, he was also the one driving the bus on Cammalleri's 50-goal season. Did Nieuwendyk make anyone better like that? (this, btw, is not a flippant question. But I can't think of anyone offhand.)
There is also the trophy case.
Nieuwendyk won the Calder. Iginla finished second in his rookie year. Both made their respective All-Rookie Teams. Both have won the Clancy. As mentioned, Nieuwendyk has a Conn Smythe, while Iginla fell one un-reviewed goal short.
After that, the comparisons end. Iginla has been named to four post-season All-Star teams. Nieuwendyk, zero. Nieuwendyk was named to play in four All-Star Games. Iginla has played in six, turned down a seventh, was injured for an eighth, and would have played two or three more if not for Olympic breaks. Nieuwendyk never led the league in goals or points. Iginla has, twice and once respectively. Iginla won the Lester B. Pearson and was jobbed out of the Hart. Iginla won the NHL Foundation award. He also won the Messier, but that one is irrelevant since Nieuwendyk's career ended prior to its creation.
For those that trumpet the Stanley Cup/team success argument, Iginla has two Olympic Golds to Nieuwendyk's one. Iginla also has a WJHC, WHC and world Cup title, against Nieuwendyk's lone silver medal at the worlds.
-----------------------
CliffFletcher - I grew up on the 80s/90s Flames. Watched both players throughout their entire careers. We were extremely fortunate to have both. But of the two, Iginla was better.