2007-09-06 09:35:39 · 20 answers · asked by smile99 1 in Sports ➔ Hockey
Well, putting myself into their shoes, I am thinking that Modano has had a better career.
As you point out, their personal numbers are almost identical with a nod towards Sundin.
From a team perspective, Modano has played in 3 Stanley Cup finals (1991, Minny lost to Pittsburgh, 1999, Dallas beats Buffalo, and 2000, New Jersey beats Dallas). He was on the NHL all-rookie team. He has played in 6 all-star games. He was a 2nd team all-star in 2000.
Sundin has never played in the Stanley Cup finals, and only made it to the 3rd round twice (1999 vs Buffalo and 2002 vs Carolina). He has played in 8 All-Star games and been a 2nd team all star twice (2002, 2004)
Modano has 2 International accomplishments, Gold at the 1996 World Cup, and Silver at the 2002 Olympics
Sundin has won gold at the World Championships (1991, 1992, and 2006), and he was the captain of the 2006 Olympic Gold medalists. He also flew in late to help Sweden secure silver in 1993 and 1995, and was on Sweden's 1996 World Up bronze medalists
However, Mats says he wants a cup.............so since Mike has one...Mike wins
PuckDat....I meant 2006....I'm close to 70 now, I thought knocking 4 years off my age was a good thing
2007-09-06 09:52:40 · answer #1 · answered by Like I'm Telling You Who I A 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Why would the stats matter?!
I'm a Swede, but if you are looking at careers, forget the stats.
Modano has a ring and a world cup gold.
Sundin was the first ever Euro to captain one fo the most honorable franchises in hockey, captained the Swedish national team over guys like Forsberg, Lidstrom, Alfie, etc., picked to the Canada Cup All-Star team at the age of 20, won the OG hockey gold (with the best of the best playing), won and several world championships.... etc. etc..
I know Mats is dying to get a ring, while Modano may have won everything he cares about.. or maybe not. Who knows. Take a guy like Forsberg, that guy has won every Cup imaginable... but one.. the one he wants the most now.... The Swedish Championship?!?! The only thing he hasn't won yet. He was close as a youngster. How happy will he be if he retires without it? Did he have a good career?
I'd say Modano prolly had a better career as he will be content when he walks away from the game. Even though Modano's "achievements" are maybe less than Mats', Mats will always have that gaping hole in his heart, as I believe that he will never win a Stanely Cup... sorry Mats.. please make me eat those words.
Stats play no role in rating a player's career the way I see it (What about the great checkers and all-around players like Shane Doan?).
2007-09-07 01:15:35 · answer #2 · answered by anystroem 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
those numbers are pretty much identical. And to the person who siad sundin has set up more goals then modano cold ever hope to get? take a look at those numbers again. How many points apart are they? all of 17. Woo! And only one assist apart. the means that Sundin has set up only one more goal then modano. Wow. I'm awed. you mean modano can't score one more? I'm not really impressed by that logic.
Modano has a cup and three finals. that's the difference. And he's already got the top US goal scorer of all time (until Kane beats it anyway). He's not far from the top American scorer of all time.
Modano wins this one.
2007-09-06 19:54:36 · answer #3 · answered by The Big Box 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am going to go with Modano only because he has a ring. Based on those numbers, they are as dead even as could be. Over 1200+ games, I cannot give Sundin the nod just on 17 points. The only thing that separates the two in my mind is the Cup Modano won.
2007-09-06 16:42:12 · answer #4 · answered by Lubers25 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Modano i belive that modano can catch mats in goals this season(since he managed 22 goals which could have been more had he not been injured for a big part of last season) and he's just about the best american player ever so sweet. and o yea he's lead the stars to consecutive stanley cup final appearances even if they did loose in ot in 2000.
Go Stars and caps
2007-09-06 22:46:29 · answer #5 · answered by Andrew G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say Mats Sundin, but that could be because I am a leafs fan. I know they always loose, but the one person that always pulls the lefs through is Mats Sundin. Some people would say look at the number of goals and you'll get your answer, but I disagree. Mats Sundin wasn't a goal scorer, but he was a team player. He always passed and therefore set-up more goals than Mike Modanno will ever score. So, I would have to say Mats Sundin.
2007-09-06 16:40:18 · answer #6 · answered by hockeygalscores 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Dependes on how you define better career when compairing similar numbers. Sundin's numbers were a lot harder to come by since he has never had linmates (in TO.) that can play up to his ability, so you could make a case for handycapping his total.
Modano has hardware to show for his career. That makes it mean something when its over.
IMO a couple of class players who had comparable careers and achieved success in their own way.
2007-09-06 23:49:45 · answer #7 · answered by cme 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NHL-wise Modano has a cup ring. That makes him more successful.
Sundin does have an Olympic Gold medal though.
Like I'm telling you - Canada won gold at the 2002 Olympics in hockey and Sundin wasn't on that team.
2007-09-06 17:28:38 · answer #8 · answered by PuckDat 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Similar numbers, but Modano's got a cup and has played for the same organization for his entire 18 year career.
Modano gets the nod.
2007-09-07 03:14:14 · answer #9 · answered by zapcity29 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say Modano, but only for a couple reasons...
Modano gave a face and was the face for a hockey franchise located in Texas....brought tons of attention and spread tons of good will throught Dallas and Fort Worth, he is truly beloved by all in Dallas....save for a few guys whose girls he took...just kidding.
And secondly, I live in Dallas so I am partial.
2007-09-06 16:40:23 · answer #10 · answered by Phil M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋