tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247110025633553000.post4208090572262640143..comments2013-01-17T19:31:40.474-05:00Comments on A Capital Offense: Backstrom vs. ForsbergUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247110025633553000.post-57391520614209118132010-07-05T21:30:15.957-04:002010-07-05T21:30:15.957-04:00I appreciate the feedback, and you are right, this...I appreciate the feedback, and you are right, this was the dead puck era we are talking about, to a point. <br /><br />In 1995-96, there were:<br />2 60+ goal scorers<br />8 50+ goal scorers<br />18 40+ goal scorers<br />2 140+ point scorers<br />5 115+ point scorers<br />12 100+ point scorers<br /><br />The league leader scored 69 goals and 161 points. <br /><br />In 2009-10, there were:<br />0 60+ goal scorers<br />3 50+ goal scorers<br />7 40+ goal scorers<br />0 140+ point scorers<br />0 115+ point scorers<br />4 100+ point scorers<br /><br />The league leaders scored 51 goals and 112 points. <br /><br />And yes, Forsberg drew the tougher checking assignments later in his career, but not while he was a rookie. It is invariably easier to produce goals from your top line when you have an effective second line, much like having two consecutive power hitters in your baseball lineup, like Manny and Papi in Boston. <br /><br />I would agree that Forsberg was a physically dominant forward, and he was allowed to hit back in the same way he was assaulted, and those rules that let him be assaulted surely contributed to his defensive prowess when he did the same thing to others. As for the most physically dominant of his era, that is arguable (see: Lindros, Eric; Tkachuk, Keith; Shanahan, Brendan; Messier, Mark; Roberts, Gary; Neely, Cam). To be sure, I often thought an Alex Ovechkin-Peter Forsberg comparison might be in line while I was writing this. If there is one thing he lacks from Forsberg, it is the physical side, but I'm not complaining as I'm sure it contributed to Foppa's injury problems. <br /><br />You are absolutely correct that a straight stats comparison is of limited value, hence the comparison of league rank, ranks on his team, ranks among rookies, ranks in team history, etc.<br /><br />I appreciate all the feedback and I like the discussion. Please keep it coming. I'd love to see your reasoning behind your comment. <br /><br />Please remember, I am comparing their production and development over their first three NHL seasons, I am not comparing Backstrom to Forsberg later in his career (at least not until next year). I know Backstrom has a different playing style than Forsberg, too, and a much different presence on the ice. They are each unique in their styles, it is their effectiveness and dominance I am comparing.Andy Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00169399446095295475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247110025633553000.post-53191955870777656332010-05-21T06:23:21.694-04:002010-05-21T06:23:21.694-04:00I'll second Jimmy...I like Backstrom but he...I'll second Jimmy...I like Backstrom but he's no Peter Forsberg. I think I have seen all Forsberg's games since Qubeck and many of Backstroms and trust me he's no Forsberg. Just as simple as that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247110025633553000.post-54889874120623050242010-04-22T12:53:46.790-04:002010-04-22T12:53:46.790-04:00Interesting piece, unfortunately it has a hugely f...Interesting piece, unfortunately it has a hugely flawed premise - it was Forsberg, and not Sakic, who invariably drew the other team's toughest D. Also, Forsberg played in the dead-puck era, so a straight stats comparison is of limited value. Guys like Pronger, Matvichuk, Hatcher, etc. were literally allowed to assault him on almost every play and the refs just invariably swallowed the whistle. <br /><br />In his time, Forsberg was the most physically dominant player in the game - not a matter of opinion, but objective fact, as evidenced by what opposing players (Mario Lemieux, Keith Jones, Ray Ferraro, Ron Francis, Ray Bourque, etc.) said about him, or which defensive assignments he drew from opposing coaches (Ken Hitchcock, Scotty Bowman, Sutter, etc.). <br /><br />I love Backstrom, but he's no Peter Forsberg - but that's no shame, few if any in hockey history are.Timbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03604421630411006474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247110025633553000.post-17552777642102382082010-04-22T08:51:21.716-04:002010-04-22T08:51:21.716-04:00Awesome, awesome post.Awesome, awesome post.Jack Hazardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17125145876262181832noreply@blogger.com