Comparing Players: Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Max Pacioretty vs Phil Kessel

Nov 26, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing

(81) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 8, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward

(67) heads up ice against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

In my humble opinion this was the hardest of the pairs to decided between. Their games are as different as they are alike, but the main difference between the two players has been the fact that Phil Kessel really does put up more points then only a handful of players in the NHL. That is consistent production for a guy that people often call soft and inconsistent. Meanwhile you have Pacioretty, who is among the league leader in goals over the last few seasons as well. The knock on Pacioretty is that he often goes into slumps where he doesn’t drive the net with regularity and only shoots from the outside. He’s streaky, but when he goes on a tear, he lights the lamp at a rabid pace.

So what would your rather? A consistent point producer who is great on the powerplay or a streaky sniper who is also a top-notch penaltykiller?

Max Pacioretty‘s stat line: 13 goals, 9 assists, 22 points, 3 PP points, +12, 18 pim, 11.8% shooting, 19.08 minutes/game

Phil Kessel‘s stat line: 15 goals. 14 assists, 29 points, 10 PP pointss, -1, 6 pim, 16.1% shooting, 18:22 minutes/game

Next: Who is better? Galchenyuk or Kadri?

Alex Galchenyuk vs Nazem Kadri

Nov 13, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward

(27) carries the puck into the Boston Bruins zone during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 15, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center

(43) stops with the pick and looks to make a pass during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The reason I picked these two players wasn’t because they are in the top 2 forwards, but because they represent the future of both teams at the center ice position. Both were drafted very high, and both have struggled with inconsistency so far in their young careers. The thing to remember when even trying to compare these two players is the fact that they have much higher ceilings than probably any other forward in either of the two storied franchise’s systems. Both teams have brought along the players very slowly, almost painfully slow for us fans, and the fact that they still are both under 17 minutes a game shows how the cautious approach is being used. At this point the only real thing that separates the two young stars is 1 inch and roughly 10 lbs.

So what would you prefer? The kid who sometimes puts his foot in his mouth or the kid who hasn’t been jaded as of yet?

Alex Galchenyuk‘s stat line: 6 goals, 12 assists, 18 points, 4 PP points, +1, 17 pim, 9.0% shooting, 16:33 mintues/game

Nazem Kadri‘s stat line: 7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points, 2 PP points, +6, 10 pim, 10.9% shooting, 16:40 mintues/game

Next: Who is better? Subban or Phaneuf?

P.K. Subban / Dion Phaneuf

Nov 16, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman

(76) takes a shot in the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 6, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman

(3) skates around his net with the puck as Vancouver Canucks right wing

(14) gives chase at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Canucks 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Both teams need their rearguards to not only be able to defend but also push the pace by creating a strong transition game and put up healthy offensive numbers if they’re to be successful. When looking at which D-man plays the most pivotal role on each team it was an easy choice to choose the who fits that bill. The players couldn’t be more opposite if they tried, with Subban being a silky smooth skater, who loves to handle the puck in both ends, but also looks for the big hit. Compared to the steady presence of Phaneuf, who isn’t fleet of foot, but relies on strong instincts and a bomb from the point to produce points for his team. Both players tend to hog the spotlight a little to much during press conferences and everything they do, good or bad, always gets blown out of proportion. The biggest difference here is that one of them has a Norris trophy and may contend for more in the future, while the other was once thought to have that potential but the game may be a little too fast for him to every be more than a top-flight minute eater who anchors the defense.

So what would you prefer? The fast skating, free spirited kid or the savvy vet who eats a ton of minutes?

P.K. Subban‘s stat line: 7 goals, 12 assists, 19 points, 3 PP points, -1, 34 pim, 12.5% shooting, 25:06 minutes/game

Dion Phaneuf‘s stat line: 1 goal, 14 assists, 14 points, 8PP points, +14, 48 pim, 2.2% shooting, 23:29 minutes/game

Next: Who is better? Markov or Franson?

Andrei Markov vs Cody Franson

Nov 5, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman

(79) shoots on the Buffalo Sabres net during the first period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 14, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman

(4) shoots the puck against the Colorado Avalanche at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

In theory I took the next 2 most important d-men from each club. As the Montreal Canadiens haven’t fully given in to he youth movement on the back-end, it leaves it to the savvy old vet Markov to shoulder the load for a season or two more. Meanwhile the Leafs have allowed Franson to take up a more important role than he ever had with Nashville. This is purely a case of experience vs youth, although Frason completely dominates Markov in size, measuring a towering 6’5″ compared to just 6’0″. Markov unlike Franson is used in all situations of the game and his ice time is almost 3 mintues more per game. Franson isn’t a slow player by any account, but he does have more speed that the aging Markov who has obviously lost a step or three over the last couple of years and numerous surgeries. The thing to remember in this comparison is that you’re looking at a player trending towards the apex of his career, while the other is finishing a career as a top-flight offensive d-men.

So what do you prefer? The big bodied young offensive minded d-man, or the wise old powerplay general?

Andrei Markov‘s stat line: 3 goals, 10 assists, 13 points, 6 PP points, +0, 10 pim, 5.9% shooting, 24:29 minutes/game

Cody Franson‘s stat line: 4 goals, 13 assists, 17 points, 6 PP points, +8, 12 pim, 9.3% shooting, 20:50 minutes/game

Next: Who is better? Price or Bernier?

Carey Price vs Jonathan Bernier

Dec 6, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Montreal Canadiens goalie

(31) in goal against the Dallas Stars in the second period at American Airlines Center. Dallas won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 26, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie

(45) guards the net against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

It’s hardly fair to compare a goalie who has been the defined starter to a goalie who is just coming into his own after battling for his spot. But in reality that is exactly what Price had to do when Jaroslav Halak was with the Habs. Jonathan Bernier is a fine starter who appears ready for the spotlight that comes with playing in a hockey market that will tear you apart every time you let in one questionable goal. Bernier has not only stolen games this year, but he’s stolen games that the Leafs have had no right getting a single point out of, much less win. That is the mark of a good goalie. The mark of a great goalie is one who steals games on a consistent basis making a team appear much better in the standing than perhaps where their team should actually be. That is the only difference between Bernier and Price at the moment, as Price has been able to steal more points in the standings on a lower scoring team than Bernier has with his high powered offense.

What would you prefer? The proven a top 5 goalie in the league, or one who has the potential to maybe get there?

Carey Price‘s stat line: 15 Wins, 8 Losses, 1 OT, 710 shots against, 57 goals against, 2.44 GAA, .920 save percentage, 2 shutouts

Jonathan Bernier‘s stat line: 11 Wins, 6 Losses, 3 OT, 625 shots against, 51 goals against, 2.63 GAA, .918 save percentage, 1 shutout

Next: How did I score them?

My Picks 

So who would I choose if given the choice? Here are my picks;

Max Pacioretty vs Phil Kessel

Hardest one for me personally, but in the end Phil Kessel is really one of the few top scoring forwards in the entire league, and the Habs would be a better team with that much more of a scoring threat.

Alex Galchenyuk vs Nazem Kadri

I think that although their point totals are very similar, I believe that Alex Galchenyuk is everything you want in a first line center. His ability as a game breaker is too good to not have.

P.K. Subban vs Dion Phaneuf

I love speed, and I love the flair that PK Subban brings to the rink every game, every shift and every single press conference. This team would be so much less fun to watch without him here.

Andrei Markov vs Cody Franson

I honestly feel dirty about picking Cody Franson, but Markov’s best days are behind him, and I think that the Habs would be a better team with the towering Franson than with the wily old vet. If they were both in their prime this choice would have been much more difficult.

Carey Price vs Jonathan Bernier

This really isn’t even a battle from my perspective. Price is a proven commodity and still very young. There is a reason that he was the starter for Team Canada, and he won a gold medal proving his mettle on literally the largest stage in the world. Until Bernier pulls the Leafs into the playoffs kicking and screaming, I can’t even consider him inside the top 10 goalies in the league, much less the top 5.

In the end it comes down to the masked men between the pipes to settle the tie-break in my mind.

Feb 27, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goaltender

(31) stops Toronto Maple Leafs center

(84) on a penalty shot during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Feel free to comment on who your picks are, and as always like and share our posts here at awinninghabit.com!

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