Has there been a decline in good two-way forwards?

Question

With the way today's game is played you really need some two-way forwards to help out on defense. I don't see as many as I used to.

Who would you say is the best two-way forward right now?

Answer 1

I agree with you, but I think that is more a product of a couple things. First is the watered down play that is the result of having 30 teams, there simply isnt the talent from top to bottom of most rosters so players dont feel the pressure to develop a 2 way game if they are very good at one discipline. The other that might draw down that skill even more is the salary cap, bottom line is the stars will get their money so the mid level guys who have a chance to develop 2 way games will more and more be squeezed out of the NHL because they can make more money oversea's and teams bring in cheaper minor league career type options who will play for basically the minimum.



The best 2 way guy I see right now is Henrik Zetterberg. He is an elite scorer (92 points last year) and over the past 2 years he is a cumulitive +56. He isnt physically dominating on defense like a Cam Neely type but he is positionally excellent and reads the ice better than any forward I see. And he is far stronger along the boards than most people realize.There are a few others that come to mind who are very good, just not at the consistant level of Hank.

Answer 2

Hi



I think there is several good if not great two way players in the league today. Kate's list looked good to me. I actually disagree with you on Shanahan being the example of a two way player. When I want an example I want some one like Zeterberg and his game changing play on Crosby in the playoffs then in same game having a highlight reel goal.



I think to a degree the defensive part of being a two way player has changed and goes unnoticed by many causal fans, much the same way people underestimate what Lidstrom does because he isn't physical.



Thank You

Answer 3

Isn't night to night virtually the saem thing as a nightly basis? All the players that Kate mentioned are amazing defensive forwards. And they all have consistently proven themselves as amazing two way forwards. True, you really don't see as many power forwards as there were back in the 90's but there is still a relatively large amount of them.

Answer 4

If you want to see a surplus of a two way forward then you just have to watch the right games and find a defense first team...



Best two way forward even tho he is hurt is brendon marrow that is why he wears the C he is hurt right now but the guy is just as much defense as he is offense and even madano now that he is older is pretty good at getting a hit in here and there

Answer 5

There are still quite a few good ones out there.......



Pavel Datsyuk

Henrik Zetterberg

Marian Hossa (who doesn't get enough credit for his two-way play)

Rod Brind'Amour

Jere Lehtinen

Kris Draper

Sergei Fedorov

John Madden

Jay Pandolfo

Mike Richards

Daniel Paille

Jordan Staal

Ryan Malone

Michael Peca

Joe Sakic

Answer 6

atropov, poni, hagman and kulemin