Other than Phil Kessel, who is the NHL's best two way forward?

Question

BQ: Best two way forward on your favorite team?

Answer 1

I feel partial to saying Mike Richards.



Sure he's not the most talented like Pavel Datsyuk but I feel like he's got all the skills and intangibles to being one of the best two-way forwards in the league. On top of that unlike Datsyuk, Richards is physical and can get under players skin something Bergeron (who I think is the second best) and Datsyuk (most talented) lack.



Also not to mention he's the first player in history to win a Memorial Cup, Calder Cup, and Stanley Cup in NHL history.



However, I think I may have let my bias opinion get in the way.



BQ: They all suck but if I had to pick one it would be Brayden Schenn



Edit: Couturier disappointed this year I know he's only 20 but he only showed up six times all year and that was ironically enough against the Penguins. He was invincible every other game.

Answer 2

I realize that your Kessel reference was a tongue in cheek remark but in 2013 Kessel's defense improved immensely under Carlyle's tutelage. As for Timmy's references both were written before the last season. As an example in the playoffs this year Toronto as a team was -5. Kessel was +3.



Best two way forwards are always incorrectly chosen for the Selke Trophy. The finalists this year are two way players. Datsyuk, Toews and Bergeron.



BA: Nazem Kadri? (+15) but he rarely plays in defensive situations. So how can he be two way?

Answer 3

Pavel Datsyuk for two way play. Patrice Bergeron for pure defense.



BQ: Sean Couturier; no question about it. Tough year for him and the whole team, but at 20 he has looked very impressive.



I do agree that he's a bit overrated as he has only been in the NHL for about 2 years, but without a doubt I can see him becoming a force in the NHL down the road.

Answer 4

I think the obvious answer is patrice bergeron



I think the best measure of two way is plus minus...

In his entire 10 season he has only gone negative once and last year he led the league with plus 36



thats like not even real... PLUS THIRTY SIX



he also won the selke because of it, on top of it he consistently leads the league (or is in the top few) with faceoff win percentage, hes been around 65 for three years in a row



And to top it all off and to make his plus minus even more impressive, he is one of the league leaders in penalty kill time,



P.S,

I have nothing but respect for phil kessel, but in seven years in the nhl he has only 6 positive years, granted his one positive year he got a 23 which is damn good



Of course Pavel datsyuk is also great, he is usually way up there for steals and plus minus, (also his best year he went plus 41)



so its between datsyuk and bergeron, but I think bergeron takes it

Answer 5

Personally i believe it is a toss up between Bergeron and Toews. Probably Bergeron though if I was forced to pick.

Also, don't put too much weight on +/- as a stat, it ignores powerplays and penalty-kills for the most part and has been shown to vary widely from season to season. (obviously if a player is consistently a + rating they are doing something right).

Answer 6

Pavel Datsyuk

BQ: Tomas Plekanec

Answer 7

Pavel Datsyuk is the best two way forward right now, Patrice Bergeron as well.



BQ: Jonathan Toews

Answer 8

Jonathan Toews

Answer 9

Since when in the he!! was Phil Kessel ever considered to be a "Two way forward" by anyone? Nevermind the NHL's best...Kessels defense is not good by anymeans. Never was, and probably never will be. He is often criticized for not playing defense.



http://www.torontosun.com/2013/01/14/leafs-kessel-must-pick-up-his-defence



http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/07/columnist-randy-carlyle-should-rip-phil-kessel-for-bad-defense/



Those are 2 different Toronto based website ripping Kessel for his lack of defense. I dont know what planet you are on, or what Kessel you have watched but he has basically no defense at all. Did you not see the game when Chara stickhandled around him for a goal? Chara of all people stickhandling around Kessel? Thats how bad his defense is.



Two way player? LOL



Patrice Bergeron is the best 2 way player.

Answer 10

Sam Gagner, Will breakout into star when Oilers figure things out.

BQ Brendan Gallager

Answer 11

Easy for me, Anze Kopitar