Iginla vs. Nieuwendyk: Who was the better player?

[CliffFletcher]

Iginla was the more dynamic offensive player. Niewendyk could play a shut-down centre role, and was one of the better face-off men and penalty killers in the league. I'd give the edge to Niewendyk for his all-around game.

[FlamesAddiction]

Nieuwendyk was better in my opinion.

But as far as the trade goes, it was pretty even. Dallas got a few years out of Nieuwendyk (and a Cup), and we got almost a full career out of Iginla. You couldn't ask for more especially considering that our hand was forced.

[JD]

Both were great players but were very, very different. Nieuwendyk came into the league and made an impact immediately. Back-to-back 50-goal seasons, important face-off man, Stanley Cup. He was an impact player from year 1 all the way to retirement. Iginla took about 5 years to come into his own. But when he did, we was considered one of the top 3 players in the league, if not the best for some period of time.

So since they ended up with fairly similar stats, I'd answer the question by saying Nieuwendyk had sustained success and impact for a longer period, while Iginla had the higher peak.

We were lucky to be able to watch both play for us at the Saddledome.

[bubbsy]

tough comparisons, as i think Nieuwendyk played on better rosters nearly his entire career than Iginla.

I think both the stars/flames would do the trade over again knowing how things played out, which speaks to how great each player was and how they fit into the franchises needs over the short and long terms.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

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

I say Forever a Flame.

I say Forever a Flame should be fired into the sun.

[LouCypher]

Nieuwendyk gets my vote as much as I love Iginla. 3 cups with 3 different teams and played a key role. Conn Smyth Trophy in New Jersey, Dallas really didn't go anywhere in the playoffs when Joe was injured, when he was healthy he put them over the top then went to the Devils and was such a key guy there. He didn't need to be the "man" anywhere he played but Nieuwendyk still found a way to be a key on every team he was on. Hand eye coordination was unreal, great at faceoffs and an absolute clutch performer.

[dissentowner]

I would say early Iginla was the best. Before he lost all the muscle and weight and he was a beast, man was an unstoppable machine. After he shed the weight and the beast mode it is not even remotely close, noodleknees for the win.

[Flash Walken]

Win-Win trade.

Nieuwendyk though is the better player. Impact player over a 20 year career in all 3 zones.

[1stLand]

Its a close one.

But I would give the edge to Newy.

3 Cups and in my opinion he was a better team player.

Teams never had to try and trade for pieces to compliment him and his production.

Iginla a better International Player by far though with 2 Olympic Golds and played more of an important role

[ricosuave]

OK, so how about Nilsson vs Nieuwendyk vs Iginla

[Resolute 14]

"Better team players" don't quit on their teams despite valid contracts.

Iginla. Nieuwendyk was a big part of his cup teams, no doubt, but he won the Cup with stacked teams. Iginla carried the Flames on his back for many years in a way Nieuwendyk never could. In terms of offensive production, Iginla never had the support Nieuwendyk did, nor did he spend his first five seasons in the free-for-all systems of the late 80s/early 90s.

In the end though, we're comparing two Hall of Famers, so you really can't lose either way.

[Stay Golden]

Strange comparrison, i relaize they are linked because of the trade but Iggy meant much more to the overall team than Neiwy. Iginla was the focal point player to the Flames with the rosters he was on. Neiwy on the other hand was a great #1 Center but his complimentary line mates were far much more deeper and balanced than Iggy ever had the luxury of playing with.
Iginla had to carry the team far much more than Neiwy ever had to.
Put it this way if Iggy could have played with Nieuwendyk or a Center of Nieuwendyk's calibre the Flames have 1 or 2 more Lord Stanley's.
The Calgary Flames as an orginization failed not just Iginla but themselves and the fans by not delivering a #1 Center all these years. They rode Iginla instead of committing to bringing that Niewendyk Center we so desperately were missing for years. Instead they relied on Iginla to help make just 2nd line Centers better.
I am pretty sure that Iggy helped everyone he played with have personal best goals and assists seasons.

[1stLand]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

"Better team players" don't quit on their teams despite valid contracts.

Iginla. Nieuwendyk was a big part of his cup teams, no doubt, but he won the Cup with stacked teams. Iginla carried the Flames on his back for many years in a way Nieuwendyk never could. In terms of offensive production, Iginla never had the support Nieuwendyk did, nor did he spend his first five seasons in the free-for-all systems of the late 80s/early 90s.

In the end though, we're comparing two Hall of Famers, so you really can't lose either way.

You bring up valid points about playing on stacked teams, but I don't think Iginla carried the Flames on his back with exception of the 2004 cup run.

When you say 'carry a team on his back' I think you mean achieving Team success due to an exemplary personal effort.

Iginla never really got the Flames over the Hump.

Since 1996-97 to 2013 The Flames made the playoffs only 5 years during that span and only made it past the 1st Round Once.

Terrible Team success. So I really disagree with Iginla carrying anyone on his back.

Again, with exception to the 2004 cup run. But even then arguments can be made that other players were very instrumental to that success such as Gelinas & Kipprusoff as well as the unsung heros such as Stephane Yelle

[Resolute 14]

Wayne Gretzky in his prime could not have gotten those teams into the playoffs, so I put zero stock into that argument. Jarome Iginla is not an inferior player because Al Coates and Craig Button were inferior GMs.

[Grimbl420]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

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.

Game winning goals
Nieuwendyk = 93 regular season & 13 playoff Total - 106
Iginla = 84 regular season & 5 playoff Total - 89

Stats are pretty much a wash, but considering that Nieuwendyk has way more playoff games played and had a far better supporting cast than Iginla for the majority of his career, I have to give the edge to Iginla.

Nieuwendyk was a Centre, so faceoff wins is not really a fair comparison.

[Bertuzzied]

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.

I just want to puke looking at these two pics.

[JD]

Originally Posted by 1stLand

Iginla never really got the Flames over the Hump.

Since 1996-97 to 2013 The Flames made the playoffs only 5 years during that span and only made it past the 1st Round Once.

Terrible Team success. So I really disagree with Iginla carrying anyone on his back.

I know you're strictly talking about Iginla, but in the context of this comparison, let's not forget the Flames, post-1989, were one of the biggest bunch of choke-artists in professional sports, save for the Buffalo Bills of the same era. Joe Nieuwendyk was a leader of that team and he was surrounded by some extraordinary talent, and they simply could not get the job done.

If Iginla didn't carry the Flames on his back, Nieuwendyk certainly didn't either.

But again, let's not make this seem like we're bashing either player. They were both great players and a lot of fun to watch.

[Cuz]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Did Nieuwy ever record a Howe hat trick?

Iggy all the way.

I don't think Nieuwendyk ever did, but he did have a 5 goal game (and in that same game, tied the NHL record for goals in a period with 4)

[Enoch Root]

both post-apex...

don't want either

[Hockey_Ninja]

Never saw Joe play but I for some reason thought this thread would turn into a huge pissing match.