Backstrom or Kane?

[jkud 0]

Personally, I would not want to be picking first between the two of them.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I would take backstrom every time, but I live in DC and see all his games.

He has fantastic vision, great hockey sense, great situational awareness and while he doesn't look big is hard as hell to knock off the puck.

He plays the corners hard, and this year he is shooting more with a result that he currently has 28 goals. He is 4th in the league in scoring.

As for the head to head comparisons, Kane doesn't play the PK, Backstrom plays about a minute a game (and growing, that's his season average but he hardly played it at all at the start of the year). HE plays 3.41 a game on the PP, and about a minute a game overall more than KAne (Kane is comparable in PP time at 3.14, so about half a minute less)

Backstrom has more goals, and more assists and plays more situations.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to say Kane isn't a great player, because he is, but Backstrom is to me, one of the best players in the league, and highly under rated because of Ovechkin being on the same team.

Disclosure: Backstrom is my favorite Cap and player in the league so again, I may have a bias built in

[furlanitalia 1]

Backstrom seems a little more well rounded.

That said Kane has ridiculous speed, bug I think I'd still take backstrom.

[ryanhockey21 0]

Backstrom

He is a better allround player than Kane, he is on the pk,pp, and top line. His numbers are better but some of that is because he plays with Ovechkin. He is also bigger than Kane, both are great players.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Backstrom

He is a better allround player than Kane, he is on the pk,pp, and top line. His numbers are better but some of that is because he plays with Ovechkin. He is also bigger than Kane, both are great players.

I actually think some of Ovechkins numbers are because he plays with backstroms.

I am serious, he has an awareness and ice presence that reminds me of when Maradonna was at his peak and would put the ball into seemingly empty space and there would be someone perfectly timed to break the offside trap and away they go.

Also, as this video shows, he is not afraid to go to the net, he has some grit in him to match the skill

[jkud 0]

To me the argument agaisnt Backstrom is that he plays with Ovechkin. But yesterday Backstrom was the best player on the ice when Ovi got tossed. I don't buy that he plays PK and Kane doesn't. That is a coach decision. Chicago is filled with great PK players and Backstrom probably wouldnt kill if he were in Chicago. The only clear advantage Kane has, skill wise, is that he is faster. They both have great hands, great shots and great puck possession skills. I think backstrom's vision may be a tad better, not to say Kane's vision is bad, but Strom's vision is probably top 5 in the league (Crosby, Sedins, Thornton, maybe Kaberle). I still don't know who I'd take. So close to call. They are the best "small players" in the league I think (omitting Crosby). Maybe Parise?

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

To me the argument agaisnt Backstrom is that he plays with Ovechkin. But yesterday Backstrom was the best player on the ice when Ovi got tossed. I don't buy that he plays PK and Kane doesn't. That is a coach decision. Chicago is filled with great PK players and Backstrom probably wouldnt kill if he were in Chicago. The only clear advantage Kane has, skill wise, is that he is faster. They both have great hands, great shots and great puck possession skills. I think backstrom's vision may be a tad better, not to say Kane's vision is bad, but Strom's vision is probably top 5 in the league (Crosby, Sedins, Thornton, maybe Kaberle). I still don't know who I'd take. So close to call. They are the best "small players" in the league I think (omitting Crosby). Maybe Parise?

Kane plays with Toews, Hossa and people don't point to that as a detriment. Backstrom would be elite on any team.

Boudreau mixes up his lines a lot, although he is settled now for the most part, but earlier in the season Backstrom was seeing ice time with Flash and Fehr too, and both are having career years.

As I said in my prior post, I think Ovechkin benefits just as much from having Backstrom on his line as Backstrom does with ovechkin

[IniNew 53]

Kane plays with Toews, Hossa and people don't point to that as a detriment. Backstrom would be elite on any team.

Boudreau mixes up his lines a lot, although he is settled now for the most part, but earlier in the season Backstrom was seeing ice time with Flash and Fehr too, and both are having career years.

As I said in my prior post, I think Ovechkin benefits just as much from having Backstrom on his line as Backstrom does with ovechkin

I'm sorry, but Toews and Hossa are not the players that Ovechkin is. Neither Toews nor Hossa would ever draw as much attention as Ovechkin if on the ice at the same time. Like everyone else is saying, not taking away from either of these players and I also believe Backstrom is the better of the two. But playing with Ovechkin has definitely helped him alot, if not anything else, atleast with his developement. Not having to deal with people focusing on him as much early in his career.

[jkud 0]

Kane plays with Toews, Hossa and people don't point to that as a detriment. Backstrom would be elite on any team.

Boudreau mixes up his lines a lot, although he is settled now for the most part, but earlier in the season Backstrom was seeing ice time with Flash and Fehr too, and both are having career years.

As I said in my prior post, I think Ovechkin benefits just as much from having Backstrom on his line as Backstrom does with ovechkin

I know Backstrom would be elite on any team. But he would not have as many points playing with Hossa as he does playing with Ovechkin. And Fleishman and fehr aren't having career years because of Backstrom?

I do agree that Ovi benefits from having a left hand passer like Backstrom, no question. But Ovechkin could probably score 50 playing with Morrison right?

[kovyperron5727 0]

Kane without question.

[TBLfan 25]

Right now Backstrom, hands down.

I hope Kane starts really impressing but right now he just doesn't seem to be in that elite category.

[furlanitalia 1]

It seemed everyone was pretty unanimous towards Backstrom, and while they're both great players why do you pick Kane kovyperron5727?

[mack 44]

Although I'd still go with Backstrom, I would strike the argument that he's on the PK and Kane isn't. It's been mentioned CHI has a good PK unit already, but WSH has one of the worst in the league so I don't know how much water that holds. Regardless, Backstrom still backchecks like a demon and I'd easily take him between the two.

[psh 25]

Kane impressed in the Olympics, but at this stage, Backstrom is a much more complete player. There are lots of comparisons to Forsberg out there, but I'd say he reminds me more of Alfredsson in his prime.

Their point totals are comparable, but Backstrom is doing better in both overall points AND goals even though he has a reputation as a playmaker. And, Backstrom is doing much better in the +/- column, +18 to +31. I know that is a disputed stat, but since we're comparing two players on elite teams, I think the comparison holds some water--and it suggests what many have already observed: Backstrom is one of those rare elite scorers who is willing to play full out on the defensive side of the puck.

[furlanitalia 1]

Kane impressed in the Olympics, but at this stage, Backstrom is a much more complete player. There are lots of comparisons to Forsberg out there, but I'd say he reminds me more of Alfredsson in his prime.

Their point totals are comparable, but Backstrom is doing better in both overall points AND goals even though he has a reputation as a playmaker. And, Backstrom is doing much better in the +/- column, +18 to +31. I know that is a disputed stat, but since we're comparing two players on elite teams, I think the comparison holds some water--and it suggests what many have already observed: Backstrom is one of those rare elite scorers who is willing to play full out on the defensive side of the puck.

And that's what I think is the difference. Just look at the Philly game the other day where Kane casually skated off with 5 seconds left. Why was he changing!!!??? Was he that tired?

[pwrfwd26 0]

After watching the Olympics Kane hands down. This might have to be my american bias :D

[n3ss 0]

anyone see backstroms game winner vs chicago? hrrrmph

[vek 0]

Washington could put an absolute slug on his line and Backstrom would set him up for 30 goals.

There's something about Kane that strikes me as a bit too immature and individualistic. I think you could build a team around Backstrom, but Kane is more of an accessory, albeit a talented one.

[mack 44]

Washington could put an absolute slug on his line and Backstrom would set him up for 30 goals.

Knuble's at 25 so this is will be proven true by April.

[Hidious 0]

After watching the Olympics, i'd go with Kane. But that may be because i haven't seen any Blackhawks game this season.

[slapshot2 0]

Backstrom, but Im biased, being a Caps fan for 10 years now.

Unbelievably well rounded, and he still has potential. I remember Bruce told him he needs to start shooting. Last year he was more of an assist man but really started shooting this year a lot more and has made great progress. It's a joy to watch him create plays and set up the other caps on the ice.

[Nightcast 0]

Backstrom, there both great players but it seems that Kane at times just floats around the ice and doesn't work hard. When he does want to play thats a different story.

[jkud 0]

Knuble's at 25 so this is will be proven true by April.

Knuble always get around 30 goals. Playing with Backstrom and Ovi, you definitely wouldn't expect his numbers to drop!

Looks like it above 80% for Backstrom right now. I am surprised at how overwhelming that is. I would go with Backstrom because he is more complete and he dominates both open ice and the boards with the puck. He also plays solid D. I would say kane is more explosive and more of an "open-ice" threat though. He has gamebreaking ability.

What if we started a new topic; Backstrom or Toews!?

[furlanitalia 1]

Toews, for his leadership on a team. If there already was a solid leader then I'd probably take Backstrom again.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Toews, for his leadership on a team. If there already was a solid leader then I'd probably take Backstrom again.

I think the Toews/Backstrom debate would be a lot closer than the Kane/Backstrom one seemingly is here.

Personally, I'm a biased caps fan, so I still take Backstrom, but honestly, you really can't go wrong with either. Toews is stronger and more bullish at times than backstrom, apart from that their games are fairly similar, although I would give a slight nod to Backstrom for vision/set up.

Both have high high high hockey intelligence and great instincts.