I hate to disagree with my brethren here, again, Taveres is the type of centre I build a team around, but hall is the type of winger you can win a cup with. He reminds me in every way of young Messier, just not a centre. Again, its relative...if I'm starting a team I want JT (since I build up the middle), but Hall is an elite winger, and he's still just a kid. (I know so is JT). Both teams are lucky to have them.
- mykokes

How dare you use the words "elite" and "Hall" in the same sentence... pray for forgiveness!!!

Statistics can be clouded by the contributions of teammates that inflate the production of ones game. In the assessment that "Hall had a better season" because he had 2 more points and 12 less goals is extremely biased and hilarious. You Oiler fans are down right embarrassing to be comparing Hall to Tavares lmaoooo. Now, look at the goal column, then watch an Islanders game, and their record when Tavares gets a point, then realize how much more crucial he is to his team then Taylor Hall. Tavares carries teams on his back, Hall has yet to prove he's in the elite echelon of the league. Now, compare Hall to Duchene and be a little more realistic. Even then, Duchene is better.
- Rysko81

If you're suggesting that RNH and Eberle inflated Hall's statistics last season, you're sadly mistaken. Both were injured and not themselves.

I hate to disagree with my brethren here, again, Taveres is the type of centre I build a team around, but hall is the type of winger you can win a cup with. He reminds me in every way of young Messier, just not a centre. Again, its relative...if I'm starting a team I want JT (since I build up the middle), but Hall is an elite winger, and he's still just a kid. (I know so is JT). Both teams are lucky to have them.
- mykokes

I would take Tavares if I had to pick

Tavares brought his team into the playoffs... getting 5 points in 6 games.. at least giving Pitts more of a challenge then people thought would happen. Im having a tough time finding Hall on the playoff scoring list.....

Hall is good.. but come on
- kneughter

Tavares made it in year 4 Hall has not been to year four yet
I don see Tavares with 2 memorial cup MVPs

Not that I necessarily disagree with you, but explain how you use the method of 'actual hockey knowledge' to incontrovertibly demonstrate that Hall isn't in the same league as Tavares. Of what does 'actual hockey knowledge' consist?
- Morris

Play the game, know the game, understand what one does to make a difference in the game, and you can dissect the difference between a superstar, and somebody who is not quite there yet. All i see in here are stats, when we are comparing players who play with completely different players at completely different skill levels (Tavares plays with far less skill surrounding him), and one that plays in a counter attack system (Tavares+the Islanders), while the others team players a more fast paced, stretch the ice attack (Hall+the Oilers). That is the understanding that your statistics don't take into account. It is when you put them both on the same team, like team Canada, where a player like Tavares can contribute and do whatever his coach asks, where you notice the true difference in these players. You see that Tavares does things with and without the puck, that make him such a constant threat. Hall has the intangibles to become a player like Tavares, he's fast, skilled and he has heart, but Tavares is far beyond just those assets. He's one of, if not the smartest player in the league. With and WITHOUT the puck. He can be a down right unstoppable force, something Hall has not proven he can be yet.
-
EDIT: Teams have a MUCH harder team shutting Tavares down then Hall at this point, and seriously its not even close.

I hope McDavid enjoys cacti.

Play the game, know the game, understand what one does to make a difference in the game, and you can dissect the difference between a superstar, and somebody who is not quite there yet. All i see in here are stats, when we are comparing players who play with completely different players at completely different skill levels, and one that plays in a counter attack system (Tavares+the Islanders), while the others team players a more fast paced, stretch the ice attack (Hall+the Oilers). That is the understanding that your statistics don't take into account. It is when you put them both on the same team, like team Canada, where a player like Tavares can contribute and do whatever his coach asks, where you notice the true difference in these players. You see that Tavares does things with and without the puck, that make him such a constant threat. Hall has the intangibles to become a player like Tavares, he's fast, skilled and he has heart, but Tavares is far beyond just those assets. He's one of, if not the smartest player in the league. With and WITHOUT the puck. He can be a down right unstoppable force, something Hall has not proven he can be yet.
- Rysko81

How dare you use the words "elite" and "Hall" in the same sentence... pray for forgiveness!!!
- OilDerek

When you guys make the playoffs, he's going to be your leader. I've watched this kid for years------I've been enticed for awhile, the only knock on him is he isn't a centre, but I'm not going to call him less of a player just because he's not a centre.

Tavares made it in year 4 Hall has not been to year four yet
I don see Tavares with 2 memorial cup MVPs
- Oilers42

Memorial Cups?!?! They mean nothing damn it!

"Hockey knowledge" is the truest measure of a players worth.

Pfft... amateur!

I hate to disagree with my brethren here, again, Taveres is the type of centre I build a team around, but hall is the type of winger you can win a cup with. He reminds me in every way of young Messier, just not a centre. Again, its relative...if I'm starting a team I want JT (since I build up the middle), but Hall is an elite winger, and he's still just a kid. (I know so is JT). Both teams are lucky to have them.

Again this is a dumb debate, both are great players, among the best at each of their positions.
- mykokes

I'm just saying that's it's silly for people to say that Hall isn't in the same class/league as Tavares.

Good post again btw...

P.S. I really like the look of your team... I think they're going to do some damage in the near future. Leaf fans are in store for some exciting hockey, and lord knows, they deserve it!

I would take Tavares if I had to pick
- French-Connection

Because elite centres are much harder to find, and you're more likely to win a cup with them. And I'm on board with that.

Memorial Cups?!?! They mean nothing damn it!

"Hockey knowledge" is the truest measure of a players worth.

Pfft... amateur!
- OilDerek

And the World Juniors? Who led Canada to Gold? Who failed to be a team player, and underachieved to a silver? Yeah.

Hall --> +5 on a -9 team

Tavares --> -2 on an even team

Play the game, know the game, understand what one does to make a difference in the game, and you can dissect the difference between a superstar, and somebody who is not quite there yet. All i see in here are stats, when we are comparing players who play with completely different players at completely different skill levels (Tavares plays with far less skill surrounding him), and one that plays in a counter attack system (Tavares+the Islanders), while the others team players a more fast paced, stretch the ice attack (Hall+the Oilers). That is the understanding that your statistics don't take into account. It is when you put them both on the same team, like team Canada, where a player like Tavares can contribute and do whatever his coach asks, where you notice the true difference in these players. You see that Tavares does things with and without the puck, that make him such a constant threat. Hall has the intangibles to become a player like Tavares, he's fast, skilled and he has heart, but Tavares is far beyond just those assets. He's one of, if not the smartest player in the league. With and WITHOUT the puck. He can be a down right unstoppable force, something Hall has not proven he can be yet.
-
Teams have a MUCH harder team shutting Tavares down then Hall at this point, and seriously its not even close.
- Rysko81

I think it's time we introduce you to Laughs sister.

Memorial Cups?!?! They mean nothing damn it!

"Hockey knowledge" is the truest measure of a players worth.

Pfft... amateur!
- OilDerek

Because elite centres are much harder to find, and you're more likely to win a cup with them. And I'm on board with that.
- mykokes

if Sid doesnt stay healthy this year he could be the guy that leads the league also, he is coming now into his prime..as for teams needing centres to build around??..I know the feeling all too well

And the World Juniors? Who led Canada to Gold? Who failed to be a team player, and underachieved to a silver? Yeah.
- Rysko81

Past achievements mean nothing fool.

See how that works...?

I'm just saying that's it's silly for people to say that Hall isn't in the same class/league as Tavares.

Good post again btw...

P.S. I really like the look of your team... I think they're going to do some damage in the near future. Leaf fans are in store for some exciting hockey, and lord knows, they deserve it!
- laughs2907

I worry a lot about the clarkson signing, it screams RA Richardey/Josh Johnson to me. I hope I'm wrong. Other than that, I like the goalie move, gives us two goalies I like. Though this Kadri/Franson thing is getting on my nerves.

Statistics can be clouded by the contributions of teammates that inflate the production of ones game. In the assessment that "Hall had a better season" because he had 2 more points and 12 less goals is extremely biased and hilarious. You Oiler fans are down right embarrassing to be comparing Hall to Tavares lmaoooo. Now, look at the goal column, then watch an Islanders game, and their record when Tavares gets a point, then realize how much more crucial he is to his team then Taylor Hall. Tavares carries teams on his back, Hall has yet to prove he's in the elite echelon of the league. Now, compare Hall to Duchene and be a little more realistic. Even then, Duchene is better.
- Rysko81

what's confusing me is you're at once impugning stats for how they can be cherry-picked and then cherry picking stats to demonstrate your point:
1) goals scored
2) record when Tavares gets a point.

There's an irony to this as well.

Tavares has 112 goals in 291 games (0.38 goals per game). Hall has 65 goals in 171 games (0.38 goals per game).

Irony number 2.
Islanders record when Tavares scores: 20-7-2 (4-10-5 when he doesn't score)
Oilers' record when Hall scores: 18-8-4 (1-14-3 when he doesn't score)

Hall seems right there with Tavares by those measures

Hall --> +5 on a -9 team

Tavares --> -2 on an even team
- laughs2907

who led their team into the playoffs??

what's confusing me is you're at once impugning stats for how they can be cherry-picked and then cherry picking stats to demonstrate your point:
1) goals scored
2) record when Tavares gets a point.

There's an irony to this as well.

Tavares has 112 goals in 291 games (0.38 goals per game). Hall has 65 goals in 171 games (0.38 goals per game).

Irony number 2.
Islanders record when Tavares scores: 20-7-2 (4-10-5 when he doesn't score)
Oilers' record when Hall scores: 18-8-4 (1-14-3 when he doesn't score)

Hall seems right there with Tavares by those measures
- Morris

You are simply amazing!!

EDIT: Teams have a MUCH harder team shutting Tavares down then Hall at this point, and seriously its not even close.
- Rysko81

The stats say otherwise.

And this "not even close" stuff is silly.

I worry a lot about the clarkson signing, it screams RA Richardey/Josh Johnson to me. I hope I'm wrong. Other than that, I like the goalie move, gives us two goalies I like. Though this Kadri/Franson thing is getting on my nerves.
- mykokes

Johnson played good last night and RA the other

who led their team into the playoffs??
- French-Connection

In year 4... Hall has yet to play year 4.

Stamkos did not lead his team to the playoffs... That does not devalue the worth of Stamkos.

You are simply amazing!!
- OilDerek

hey man, if the numbers weren't right there. I'm not saying stats tell all, but we HE says those stats are really telling, I couldn't help myself