Iginla vs. Nieuwendyk: Who was the better player? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Jets4Life · 10-23-2013, 12:38 AM

There is a debate going on another forum about the 1995-96 trade between the Stars and the Flames, which of course, sent Nieuwendyk to Dallas, and brought Iginla to the Flames. The general consensus is that Dallas won the trade, and that Nieuwendyk was a better player than Iggy.

What is your opinion, and why?

CMPunk · 10-23-2013, 12:46 AM

Well the Stars won a cup with Joe, so they got what they wanted.

Overall I'd say they were about even. Nieuwendyk has more Cups, but Iginla has more international awards

Cali Panthers Fan · 10-23-2013, 12:46 AM

Iginla. Franchise leader in games played, points, goals, and 2nd to Al MacInnis' amazing career of assists. Face of the franchise and captain for a long time. First ballot hall of famer. Put his team on his back single-handedly in 04. Put up a crazy amount of points without any legitimate help and often facing the other team's top defenders regularly. This isn't even bringing up his international success.

Iginla's career could have been even bigger in another franchise. Nieuwendyk was an excellent player, but blended in wherever he went and wasn't quite the same impact player and leader once he left Calgary.

MissAvery16 · 10-23-2013, 12:47 AM

Monahan

OILFAN #81 · 10-23-2013, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Nieuwendyk was an excellent player, but blended in wherever he went and wasn't quite the same impact player and leader once he left Calgary.

He was a impact player for Dallas. He led them to the Stanley Cup in 98-99 and was great in those playoffs. He won the Conn Smythe that season.

Corral · 10-23-2013, 12:52 AM

good trade for both teams. everybody wins. But tainted slightly by the fact the trade marked the beginning of the dark ages for the Flames - which would last until 2004.

byronkentgraham · 10-23-2013, 01:02 AM

So far they are fairly close in terms of career numbers.

When you consider who they played with to get those points and when they played Iginla is a better player.

Who won the trade? Dallas. They got their cup. Calgary never did with Iginla.

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Mister Yamoto · 10-23-2013, 01:03 AM

Who won the trade? Both teams. Dallas got a great player in his prime who played a key part in their cup win. Calgary got rid of a holdout and a player who become the face of the franchise. Good deal for both.

Who was the better player? Iginla.

Wolven · 10-23-2013, 01:09 AM

Is this about who is the better player or who won the trade?

Ignoring the trade for a second, I would have to give the nod to Iginla for being the better player. Even though Iginla is still playing and likely will for a number of years, right now both guys have very similar career stats in the NHL.

Nieuwendyk had 564g and 562a for 1126p in 1257 games.
Iginla has 530g and 576a for 1106p in 1232 games.

The difference though is that Nieuwendyk was playing in the high flying 80s where guys were putting up 199 point seasons and "scoring was easy". Iginla put up those stats in a much more stingy NHL where goals were hard to come by.

Both players are great and have obviously put together amazing careers but I would think that if these guys were the same age, at the same time, playing in the same NHL, that Iginla would come out on top.

DownhillGoat · 10-23-2013, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissAvery16

Monohan

fyp

But seriously, the trade was pretty even in the long run, but I'd say Iggy was the better player. Taking away the similar stats, Iginla sold tickets. I'm not sure the same could be said about Niewendyk.

Jacks · 10-23-2013, 01:15 AM

Did Nieuwy ever record a Howe hat trick?

Iggy all the way.

Jets4Life · 10-23-2013, 01:20 AM

Iginla's most goals: 52 (2001-02)
Goals per game that season: 5.37

Nieuwendyk's most goals: 51 (1987-88)
Goals per game that season: 7.47

Since Nieuwendyk had a huge advantage, as there were 2.1 more goals scored in 1987-88 than in 2001-02, let's even the playing field:

Iginla 52 in 2001-02 =

trackercowe · 10-23-2013, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacks

Did Nieuwy ever record a Howe hat trick?

Iggy all the way.

I think Joe can make due with his own hat trick. Also don't forget Nieuwendyk was on the 2002 team, and was Canada's best forward on the 1998 team that lost to the Czech's. Even internationally he might at least equal Iginla's production.

Mister Yamoto · 10-23-2013, 01:46 AM

So should the Flames retire 25? Forever a Flame? Or neither?

I say Forever a Flame.

Jacks · 10-23-2013, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trackercowe

I think Joe can make due with his own hat trick. Also don't forget Nieuwendyk was on the 2002 team, and was Canada's best forward on the 1998 team that lost to the Czech's. Even internationally he might at least equal Iginla's production.

Cup pictures don't swing things IMO. Nieuwy played on some pretty stacked teams. Iggy played on a mediocre team almost his entire career.

An extreme example. Charley Huddy won 5 cups and Ray Bourque won 1 cup, who was better? Obviously Nieuwy is much closer to Iggy than that but I think Iggy was the more dominant player.

Think of it this way, you have the choice to choose either as a rookie. If you have a glaring need for a centre then you probably choose Joe, otherwise you choose Iggy IMO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

So should the Flames retire 25? Forever a Flame? Or neither?

I say Forever a Flame.

Neither, he didn't exactly leave on good terms.

Kobasew7 · 10-23-2013, 02:02 AM

Iginla is the better overall talent. Iginla put up those numbers with no help, lets remember in his prime the best Centre he played with was Marc Savard before he got going in ATL and Boston, and Craig Conroy (we all remember how much #### people cried when that trade to get him went down). Nieuwendyk was ALWAYS surrounded by more talent, and his stats are about the same as Iginla's.

Dallas got their Cup, Nieuwy got a big contract he wanted, and everyone walked away happy.

Trade = Push
Talent = Iginla

Caged Great · 10-23-2013, 02:55 AM

Nieuwendyk for me.

Iginla was terrible from about 06-07 on in his half of the rink. Nieuwy was always reliable as a center in both ends of the rink.

At their individual peaks (Iginla 01-02 through 05-06) Iginla was the better player, and was one of the top 3 or 4 players in the NHL during that period.

Robbob · 10-23-2013, 06:03 AM

it really is situational. Flames made the best of a bad situation and ended up trading a very good player for a player who ended up as a franchise player. Both teams got what they wanted. Iginla in the end imo is the better player. It is similar to the Brett Hull trade, clearly Hull was a better player, but that trade was significant in the flames winning the cup.

FlamingHomer · 10-23-2013, 06:19 AM

Nieuwendyk for the first half of the season, Iginla for the second half.

EVERLAST · 10-23-2013, 06:37 AM

both great players but at the end of the day when the chips were down and clutch goals were needed, faceoffs won and such ...Neiwy for me all the way.