Sundin vs Koivu….
Ok, anybody who’s ever read my posts knows that I’m not your typical Leaf fan that thinks Forsberg is coming to Toronto along with Roberts and Bertuzzi. I don’t think everyone in hockey wants to play in Toronto and I think it’s ridiculously ignorant to think otherwise.
But when it comes to Habs fans comparing Koivu to Sundin…PLEASE STOP DREAMING. Koivu is a fantastic player and I would absolutely love every minute of having him as a member of the Leafs but he’s not comparable to Sundin; he’s just not.
Sundin has the ability to control the pace of a game (when he’s on the ice), Sundin is almost NEVER beaten off the puck and he rarely if ever gets injured and when he does he comes back a couple weeks early every time. Sundin makes the players around him better ie: Hoglund, Ponikarovski, Tucker.
Koivu is a good player, he would make any team much better to have him, he’s a very confident and worthy leader and has the ability to make the players around him learn and grow…but he does not have the ability to change a game the way Sundin can.
Please realize that I am not trashing Koivu, not in the slightest bit but I am sick of reading comments where people compare the two players and even go as far as suggesting a 1 for 1 swap with Montreal and Toronto…maybe the Habs fans would welcome that deal but no sober leaf fan would ever even consider it.
I’m not going to compare point totals because Sundin obviously will win that comparasin with or without Koivu’s injuries, I’m not going to compare points per game average because I don’t think Koivu’s style asks for a high point total, he’s a leader and is garaunteed to get you 65+ points; which is fantastic…he’s just not in Sundin’s category and if you think otherwise you’re kidding yourself.
Out of any 32+ year old players and up I don’t think there’s a single one I would trade Sundin for….anybody want to suggest there’s a 32+ year old out there that would better fit the Leafs or any other team than Sundin? If Forsberg was as healthy and reliable as Sundin he’d probably be the only one.
Jagr – do you really want all his drama and occasional lack of effort if he is unhappy
Sakic – pretty damn close but he’s what; 38 or so?
Selanne – Hmmm, close but he’s not the power forward or leader that sundin is.
Again I am not trashing Koivu, I would love to do a 1 for 1 with Montreal and send them Belak and a 4th rounder for him. I am just trying to drill home that Koivu is not comparable to Sundin.
PS – I’m kidding about the Belak trade……..I wouldn’t throw in the 4th rounder.
Again I’m kidding.