@AFOX10900 Who would you say is better at their best, Bonino or Bjugstad?

There's a scenario where it makes sense for Ottawa to take Gudbransson, but they're not taking JJ and they're definitely not taking both.

Also don't see them moving DeMelo

I'd say probably Bonino in the HBK line, but I also think Bjugstad could have a breakout year somewhat this year with a full year in the pens system

Yeah it’s hard to ignore what Bones did with the two speedsters, he was a beast in the playoffs. Overall, I think Bjugstad is better, more skill and hands etc. What about Guentzel and Neal, who is better?

Completely different playstyles, Guentzel is a sniper an Neal was a PWF, hard to tell, depends on the need, but you can't ignore Guentzel's 40 G as a 23 i think, year old

That’s true, but Neal got 40 goals too as a 25 year old. Honestly why is Neal categorized as a power forward instead of a sniper?

I can't say I watched a ton of him in PIT (that was before a really started following hockey) but from what little I've seen of him he's more of a get to the front of the net and annoy the other team and get some garbage goals like Hornqvist, but I could be wrong

Yeah I actually don’t think Neal does that. He actually has a really good wrist shot and one timer, that’s how he scored most of his goals. Obviously a pretty big player who is not afraid to fight and hit. What type of player would you categorize Malkin? A playmaker? Power forward? Sniper?

I'm gonna chime in with my opinion here on a few things. I'd say Bjugstad over Bonino. Bonino was a great piece on HBK, but if you replace Bonino with Bjugstad is the line even better? Nobody can really say, but as the GOAT says I think Jugs has more skill so I'm gonna say him. As for Neal and Guentzel, I think they're actually pretty similar players. Neal knew how to get to the soft spots where Geno could find him and had a great shot. I think you need to give it a couple years to see if Guentzel improves before you really can say, but at this point the Neal-Geno connection in 11-12 was more impressive, as short as it was. But this next year or 2 could easily change my mind.

Thank you for commenting. Yes I agree that Neal and Guentzel are similar in terms of skill and scoring. However, Neal is more physical whereas Guentzel has better hockey sense. That’s what I think separates them. What about Hornqvist and Lucic, who was better at their peak?

I think I'm gonna have to go Lucic, but it also depends on the state of the league. If we're saying current state of the league but those 2 players are at their peaks then I think it's a really close call. Even in Lucic's prime he wasn't a great skater. Not that Hornqvist is a speed demon but neither of them have that much "skill" if you will, but Hornqvist isn't considered a complete anchor (by everyone at least) and is still putting up respectable numbers.