Quote:
Originally Posted by Oil Stain
I wasn't talking stylistically, more so how the different players fit into the different tiers of the NHL hierarchy.
Kane has been ahead of Gaudreau on every statistical level since their draft day. He was well over ppg in two separate seasons by the time he was Johnny's age. I'd say the comparison to the Hawks breaks down further after that.
I feel like Statsny and Backes are more on the level of Monahan and Backlund. Toews was considered a top 3-5 center in the show until recently.
Flames don't have anything like Hossa.
Keith wins Norris trophies. I feel like the Flames guys are good but not at that level. More like the St.Louis trio. Highly regarded but not the best of the best.
That's how I see Calgary as well. Gaudeau is the game changer. A good amount of capable forwards. A solid top 3 defence. And a goalie tandem.
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The differences are not as great as you are suggesting.
Put a Panarin with Gaudreau and he is a point per game player
If the Flames win a cup or had won a cup in the last couple years, Giordano is in the Norris discussion along with Keith.
The Flames' big 3 on D is as good as the Hawks' big 3, or at least pretty close.
The biggest difference between the teams is the notoriety that comes with playoff success. And yes, that is earned. But once established (which is a TEAM achievement), those players tend to get more credit relative to their peers than is probably warranted.
If the Flames were to make a deep playoff run, all of a sudden the comparisons above become very pertinent.