If there is one thing I can’t stand it is unfounded bashing of great hockey players, especially when that players name is Mats Sundin. My comrade in blogging has decided to put forth the idea that Markus “The Human Playoff Disappearing Act” Naslund ranks higher on the Swedish meatball scale than the dedicated Leafs captain. This is even more stupid than the TSN decision to put Tie Domi on T.V. (Really, what insight can this guy have on the game? Are they going to do a special called “The Insiders Guide to Cheap shots? At least Roenick has the balls to something interesting and is the only guy there who wouldn’t be afraid to tell Domi off. At one point this year I think I saw Domi sniffing McGuire’s crotch! A blushing McGuire then went on a 30 second monologue about how Domi was a great presence in the locker room and how happy everyone at TSN is to have as part of the team). Back to the Swedes…..
A simple comparison will prove how much better Sundin was, is AND will be. First some stats. Sundin, who is only 2 years older, has 1243 career points in 1231 games. This includes 12 seasons of 30 goals or more and 5 seasons with at least 50 assists (for more see the link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/34/career . Those are stats worthy of a Campbell’s Chunky commercial and the Hockey Hall of Fame. Naslund has totaled 768 points in 953 games to date http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/533/career . It is true that Naslund has had a better single season that Sundin but he was also playing with better players. In the 2002-03 season Naslund was on a line with Todd Bertuzzi who was at his man-crushing peak. Sundin was lined up with Alex “Dangles” Mogliny and Gary Roberts who were sharing a groin and a back!
After the lockout Naslund has averaged less than a point per game while Sundin has averaged more than one per night. The rule changes should have made it easier for a guy with his “burst” and “agility” to score so why the decrease in productivity? I think that Naslund is ready to call it quits and take his millions back to Sweden where he can marry a blonde and yodel across the fjords. He has never shown an edge in his game and has never shown up in the playoffs. This is a guy who plays hockey for the money, not for the love of the game.
1 comment:
Naslund has gone further into the playoffs with less than Sundin has.
He has never had a winger half as good as Mogilny, nor has he had a winger with the grit and hockey smarts of Gary Roberts.
He certainly has never had - till this year - a goalie as good as say, Curtis Joseph or Eddie Belfour.
It's not going to happen for Sundin in Toronto. Sign and trade him. Lets not make the McCabe mistake twice. Give him the Ray Bourque goodbye....
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