Hossa or Spezza?

[Vash 0]

Tryin to resolve a debate. Spezza or Hossa, they're both about the same age, so that shouldn't be a huge issue in terms of longevity.

[Vash 0]

Just wonderin, why people are choosing spezza over hossa?

I was hoping to prove that hossa was more desirable as a player.

[DEATHTRON 19]

Because he's a more desirable player than Hossa. You put anyone on the ice with him and hell put the puck on their stick for goals, and every once in awhile he will notch a few goals for himself. Also, he has the attitude to become a real star.

Hossa is good, but you have to put him out with other capable players to achieve results, if you dont he will only get so many points.

Zach (at least the way I see it)

[Cavs019 708]

For every 5 one-dimmensional snipers in the NHL there is probably one playmaker of equal caliber. Thats why he's more desirable. Not to mention he still scores ridiculous goals, and still has a lot more upside than Hossa.

[kosydar 0]

Hossa+Sundin= Cup

[mack 44]

kosy you're krasy

[Eazy_b97 1]

Hossa eventually finds his own end, so I'm going with him.

[thompson77 0]

Reason to have Spezza:

1)Canadian

2)Amazingly clutch in OT and one on ones

3)Sizzle

[Cavs019 708]

Hossa, has "Sizzle," is one of the best one on one players in the league, and point number one is moot. Nice argument.

[pantherfan 0]

Reason to have Spezza:

1)Canadian

2)Amazingly clutch in OT and one on ones

3)Sizzle

Damn those Euros! ;)

Spezza has MUCH more potential

[kosydar 0]

It just comes down to whether you want a goal scorer or a playmaker. Hossa scored twice as many goals as Spezza last year. I'm going to ignore the fact that Hossa is 4 years older because it weakens my argument.

but you have to put him out with other capable players to achieve results, if you dont he will only get so many points.

I think that statement holds a lot more truth with Spezza than with Hossa. Hossa will always score a lot of goals in the NHL, granted he will score more with better linemates. Spezza will always set up great plays, but they're meaningless if nobody can finish them.

[top_shelf_24 0]

Good point Kosy. Again, It's kind of hard to make the argument that Spezza plays better with plummers; while he is on a line with Heatly and Alfredsson.

[mack 44]

In the unlikely event that he would be put on a line with no talent, I think Spezza's capable of scoring himself if need be. Granted it may not be Hossa-like goal numbers but he won't be helpless. I'd take him over Hossa only because I hold grudges.

[Patrick67 1]

Depends on the circumstances IMO.

If you don't have any players to put around him.... Hossa.

If you have a gifted line-up..... Spezza.

[DEATHTRON 19]

It just comes down to whether you want a goal scorer or a playmaker. Hossa scored twice as many goals as Spezza last year. I'm going to ignore the fact that Hossa is 4 years older because it weakens my argument.

but you have to put him out with other capable players to achieve results, if you dont he will only get so many points.

I think that statement holds a lot more truth with Spezza than with Hossa. Hossa will always score a lot of goals in the NHL, granted he will score more with better linemates. Spezza will always set up great plays, but they're meaningless if nobody can finish them.

I just got back from having alot of vodka-redbulls at the club here in grand cayman.....b ut here I go...

I think Hossa is alot like Gaborik. Put Hossa on a team with nobody and he will score 38 or so goals, maybe 40...thats about it. Hes a good player, but withought a supporting cast, he can only carry so much load.

Put Spezza out there by himself and he will still rack up 25 goals and maybe 40 or 50 assists. The thing about Spezza is that he is sort of a double entente. He can score goals if need be, but he can butifully dish off passes to anyone, and they can score or "finish" if they have teir stick on the ice.

I think hes that good, and much better than Hossa, not to mention hes much young and already coming into his prime. Yes, he has Heatley playing on his wing and Heatley is the epitome of a finisher, but still, Spezza can do everything but be a techinically correct skater, backchecker, or fighter.

Zach

[cobrAA 0]

really, i dont know, i tihnk you are right with the hossa/gaborik comparaison, but... i still think spezza, is better alone than hossa alone!

Also, think about it! your talking about nhl players, for any teams. you are sure to get good player that can finish play on the first line of every team!!

[Eazy_b97 1]

Spezza's always had defensive lapses while also being considered a whiner and a baby for much of his career. He as a reputation of sulking when things don't go his way and not adapting his game to better his team. From asking for multiple trades in junior to being benched by Martins in the playoffs.

[kosydar 0]

I personally would just rather have a guaranteed finisher than a set-up man. Its nothing of a Toronto bias from me because I still haven't forgiven Hossa for playing in Ottawa. I did get to see him play in Portland, though.

Eazy- in regards to Spezza being benched in the playoffs. He was like 21 and Pat Quinn did the same thing with Stajan that year when there was no reason to.

[kosydar 0]

Over the past few years I've watched the Sens play quite a bit as it seems like the Leafs play them 20 times a year. Hossa was always the player who I was most afraid of when he had the puck. Not Alfie, Heatley, Spezza, Neil, but Hossa. I think I only watched one or two Atlanta games this year, so I can't speak to much of what he did this year. Was he on a line with Kovalchuk? Regardless, I think being in the same lineup as Kovalchuk hurts Hossa's numbers significantly. He is capable of putting up 50 goals a year, and I think he would do it quite easily except on a few teams (Atlanta, Washington, Vancouver, San Jose).

I won't say anything about Spezza's prime because like you said we most likely haven't seen it yet. He will probably get more points on a yearly basis. Playing on the best line in the league doesn't hurt that total either, especially as a playmaker. I'd take a guy who will get 40 goals and 40 assists over a guy who gets 20 goals and 75 assists in this case because I think Hossa is capable of creating much more by himself than Spezza is.

[Meathead 0]

Over the past few years I've watched the Sens play quite a bit as it seems like the Leafs play them 20 times a year. Hossa was always the player who I was most afraid of when he had the puck. Not Alfie, Heatley, Spezza, Neil, but Hossa. I think I only watched one or two Atlanta games this year, so I can't speak to much of what he did this year. Was he on a line with Kovalchuk? Regardless, I think being in the same lineup as Kovalchuk hurts Hossa's numbers significantly. He is capable of putting up 50 goals a year, and I think he would do it quite easily except on a few teams (Atlanta, Washington, Vancouver, San Jose).

I won't say anything about Spezza's prime because like you said we most likely haven't seen it yet. He will probably get more points on a yearly basis. Playing on the best line in the league doesn't hurt that total either, especially as a playmaker.

Yeah he and Kovalchuk played with Savard.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Is that some Toronto bias hate coming through?  I'm probably the same w/ any promising Islander players, so I can't say much

Don't play even try that, Hossa is also the person who took out Berard's, my favourite player at the time, eye. Spezza been a shit since juniors. Go back and look at his time in Mississauga. Spezza has a history of underachieving when it counts. He was young when he was benched by Martins, but comparing him to Stajan doesn't work overly well. Stajan wasn't a second overall pick and Stajan will never be able to put up those points. Quinn admits not playing Staj was a mistake as well. If you want to add in another let down from him look at his WJC apperances. His stats weren't bad, but his play wasn't at the level it could have been for a person with his talent. It's like he expected to be the #1 pick and didn't care anymore. Spezza has always had someone else to blame for his problems. In juniors it was the team and he could bolt, in the WJC is was the size of the ice and his surrounding players (while also the refs), now in the NHL its Martins. Even Murray put in a few words about his defensive play this season.

Hossa may not have the raw talent, but he busts his balls to get tot he net and makes things happen. He is still extrememly talented, just not as much as Spezza.

I'm also pretty sure Kovalchuk and Savard were together without Hossa. Hossa got PP time with them, but was on a different line. They tried to balance their scoring, spreading Bondra and Mellanby on the other lines I believe.

[DEATHTRON 19]

I dont think its fair to compare Spezza of the past, he WASNT playing with top guys until THIS year. So add that into all your bashing. Also I think the year he spent in the AHL was good for him, did him alot of good. Spezza was right on for the sens most when they needed him this year, which was the second round of the playoffs. He was out there scoring a goal or two. I think Spezza has matured quite a bit, but still has alot to learn. You guys saying you have watched him for the past few years would know how far he has come. I didnt hear too much from him this year saying anything about anyone else, hell, I didnt hear anything from him all year. He just played the game.

Zach

[srv2miker 0]

I see Spezza as a player who makes those around him better. Hossa is not. Hossa will put up numbers on an individual basis that are superior to Spezza (as far as pure scoring is concerned). But my feeling is that Spezza will elevate the play of a team with his playmaking that Hossa cannot.

Look at it this way: Hossa will score 40 goals, Spezza will score 30, but he will add at least 10 goals extra to his two line mates. Hockey is a team sport, and if I'm building my team I want guys who lift the performance of the entire unit.

I would agree Spezza is young, and has had questionable play in the past. But the same knocks were made about Lemieux and others; it required them to age and mature before they truley embraced the team concept and became champions.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Fair enough, Eazy...

As I said, I can't agree at all.  When it counted in the NHL playoffs this past year, he got 14 pts in 10 games despite the Sens dissapointing run.

The guy is 23, and his overall game will continue to polish.  I don't have much patience for the other allegations you describe about him not being a great teammate, etc....But I can't say I have heard much about that until now.

Look at the points, then look at the plus minus. Playing on the best line, possibly in all of hockey, and being a -1. He's always put up enough points to stay out of trouble, but has never been a leader or really a clutch player.

I see Spezza as a player who makes those around him better.  Hossa is not.  Hossa will put up numbers on an individual basis that are superior to Spezza (as far as pure scoring is concerned).  But my feeling is that Spezza will elevate the play of a team with his playmaking that Hossa cannot.

Look at it this way:  Hossa will score 40 goals, Spezza will score 30, but he will add at least 10 goals extra to his two line mates.  Hockey is a team sport, and if I'm building my team I want guys who lift the performance of the entire unit.

I would agree Spezza is young, and has had questionable play in the past.  But the same knocks were made about Lemieux and others; it required them to age and mature before they truley embraced the team concept and became champions.

What the basis for this? That one is a scorer and one isn't? Take into consideration Hossa will get dirty infront of the net, take 2-3 D-men with him and leave 2 players open. Spezza is a better passer, but there are a number of ways to open up lanes for others on the ice with you.

[kosydar 0]

Alright I'm going to end this right now. This is completely ignoring the player's potential because its just that, potential. Also keep in mind that there are twice as many wingers in the league as centers.

Who I would want for the 06/07 season at wing before Hossa-

1. Jagr

2. Ovechkin

3. Iginla

4. Zetterberg

5. Naslund

6. Gagne (maybe)

7. Cheechoo (maybe)

Who I would want for the 06/07 season at center before Spezza

1. Thornton

2. Staal

3. Sundin

4. Sakic

5. Sundin

6. Crosby (gasp)

7. Forsberg

8. Richards

9. Datsyuk

10. Marleau

11. Lecavalier (maybe)