Quote:
Originally Posted by dissentowner
I strongly disagree that Tij Iginla is a better player than Cayden Lindstrom regardless of position on ice.
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But, why?
Tij is 6 months younger than Cayden. Cayden is 3 or 4 inches taller, and 20ish lbs heavier.
Tij and Cayden had similar production through this year. 1.31 ppg for Tij and 1.43 for Cayden. 0.73 gpg for Tij, 0.84 for Lindstrom. Cayden had the injury to shorten his season. Tij got better over the season and played very strong playoffs and WJC. Tij was starting with a new team this year where Lindstrom grew up in his team, so I tend to lean that the mid season on is more accurate to Tij's potential.
Going back in time is interesting, too. A lot of people say Tij is the riser but IMO Lindstrom was pretty unheralded in the upper echelons of this draft class until the start of this season.
In 22-23 both players played for Canada at the WHC-17; Tij on team red and Lindstrom on team white. Tij had 7 pts in 7 games where Cayden had 4 in 6. White was the better team, Catton dominated this tournament, but Ryder Ritchie and Henry Mews both outproduced Lindstrom.
Lindstrom had the better season in the dub, but there was a lot of talk about how uncomfortable Tij was in seattle.
Going back two years, 21-22, Tij and Cayden played on the same team in the WHL cup, and each posted 3 points in 5 games. Hitman Carson Wetsch outproduced both of them. In season, Cayden played in the CSSHL U17 league for most, moving to the U18 league for a short 4 game stint and only putting up a point. 0 points in 6 whl games.
Conversely, iginla played the whole season in the U18 league, put up 48 points in 32 games, and 26 goals- almost the same amount of points Cayden put up in the U17 league same year. Iginla also played 3 games in the whl and got a point.
Overall, I'd say these players have a very, very similar offensive profile. I personally give the advantage to Iginla- we saw it more directly and more recently in pressure situations, he's younger, and he doesn't have the injury worries.
Outside of size I would struggle identifying an area where Lindstrom is clearly a better player.