Who would you rather have?

[K-Gun]

Vanek or Kovalchuk? They're 1 year apart, both play LW, and each have 35 points this year.

[BanditsRock11]

Is this thread serious?

[bduff54]

Is this thread serious?

why not? they are both good players.

i take kovalcuk though

[buffalofan19]

I would take Kovalchuk right now because he is the better skater. Both of them are incredible scorers, so that has to be the tie-breaker.

[Smapdi]

Have to go with Kovalchuk, he's a much better skater than Vanek.

[Losman4life7]

i actually went with vanek.. both are them are putting up great numbers but i'll go with vanek b/c of his size..

[K-Gun]

i actually went with vanek.. both are them are putting up great numbers but i'll go with vanek b/c of his size..

Kovalchuk is actually 25lbs heaver than Vanek despite being an inch shorter. But he's a minus 1, and Vanek's plus 18.

I went with Vanek. I don't think he's close to hitting his potential.

[TheAnswer74]

OK..................................wow, I just had a vision of Ilya Kovalchuk and Max Afinogenov on the same line.

Yeah, I would take Kovalchuk mainly because of the style we play. Nothing against Vanek though.

If Max can be +12 over the last 2 years, i think Kovalchuk would be that or higher on this team.

[K-Gun]

OK..................................wow, I just had a vision of Ilya Kovalchuk and Max Afinogenov on the same line.

Yeah, I would take Kovalchuk mainly because of the style we play. Nothing against Vanek though.

Centered by a healthy Timmy. Damn.

[Meathead]

vanek has incredible quick hands and is an absolute treat to watch

but cmon

[Carl J. Ironsides]

I don't turn my back on Sabres; give me Vanek.

[SHINEdown30]

Vanek, a year is a big difference. Just look at this year v.s last year. Vanek got benched in the playoffs, now Ruff would be crazy to bench him, he is one of our best players. I think Vanek has more potential also.

[JLB]

Vanek!!!!

[SabresFan220]

Kovalchuk is pretty greedy, he almost screwed the Thrashers just to get more money out of them. Vanek will want a lot more money after this year, but he won't screw the whole team to get it. Both are amazing players, and right now its hard to say who's better, but Vanek looks like more of a team player now than he was last year.

[Darksyde]

Vanek Pwns

[MillerRocks30]

Vanek Baby!!

[amico1990]

what is this question asking? is it who would you rather have right now, or who would you like to have for awhile (build a team around etc.) Its a tough choice either way but id say kovalchuk

[K-Gun]

Just thought I'd revisit this with the season's final tally:

VANEK: 82 points (42 g/ 40a) and was a +45

KOVALCHUK: 76 points (42g/ 34a) and was a -2

Vanek played in 81 games, while Kovalchuk played in 82 games.

[NY RANGER]

Is this thread serious?

No it's an april fools day joke on easter. just pick one already and don't be a tool about it. they're not avalnache players so they're not old and washed up bandits, fyi.

[NY RANGER]

And for the record, I'd take vanek. He's better.

[SabreGirl]

Just thought I'd revisit this with the season's final tally:

THOMAS VANEK 42g 40a 82p +/- +45

ILYA KOVALCHUK 42g 34a 76p +/- -2

Nice!

Kovalchuk is a fantastic player, but he's undisciplined. He makes boneheaded plays at very bad times. He was "benched" for part of the third period just a game ago. He redeemed himself in that same game by winning on OT, but the message from Hartley was clear. Although Vanek was benched in last year's playoffs, he hasn't been benched this year. That says something about these two players.

Vanek has truly matured and has worked hard to be a great player. When I saw him early in the season, he was lazy and he quit on plays. Now when I watch him, he is a different player. He never quits on a play and he makes a difference because he is hard to keep up with when he skates with the puck. When he works -- he has results.

I love the player he has become. Atlanta can keep #17.

[JLB]

Just thought I'd revisit this with the season's final tally:

VANEK: 82 points (42 g/ 40a) and was a +45

KOVALCHUK: 76 points (42g/ 34a) and was a -2

Vanek played in 81 games, while Kovalchuk played in 82 games.

Cool stats I thought Vanek got his 43rd today.
Still damn good numbers glad we got him.
We better lock him up for a long time.

[number61]

vanek!!!!!!!

[HURLS]

No it's an april fools day joke on easter. just pick one already and don't be a tool about it. they're not avalnache players so they're not old and washed up bandits, fyi.

Hey brainiac, BR11's post was from Dec 2006. Check it out before you insult someone.

[Smapdi]

::Open Mouth; Insert Foot::

Vanek really stepped it up and showed he is among the elite in the NHL. Can't argue with leading the league in plus/minus and potting 42 goals.

[JLB]

10:21 Goal scored by Thomas Vanek (43)
Assisted by Jaroslav Spacek (16) and Maxim Afinogenov (37)

[BanditsRock11]

Hey brainiac, BR11's post was from Dec 2006. Check it out before you insult someone.

Thank you.


Obviously then I felt diffrent. Hind sight being 20/20 right now, I'd go Vanek, for obvious reasons.


The question when the thread was started was not who would you rather have at the end of the 2007 regular season, it was basically then, and I answerd.

[HURLS]

Hell, I think I'd still take Kovalchuk. TV's awesome, but put Kovalchuk in a Slug Uniform and his point total would be higher than it was with the Caps.

[Hockeystud1414]

Thank you.


Obviously then I felt diffrent. Hind sight being 20/20 right now, I'd go Vanek, for obvious reasons.


The question when the thread was started was not who would you rather have at the end of the 2007 regular season, it was basically then, and I answerd.

fair enough. many probably would have done the same, especially if that person is not a sabres fan.

This thread is better to bring up now because it is faiere to judge now that we have two full years of vanek and plenty of kovalchuk. I just feel either way it's a lot fairer to judge now than back then.

[Denverbillsfan]

I'll take Vanek evertime

[Sabres244]

Kovalchuk has the lazy Russian problem. Riff has gotten to Vanek. Vanek is a threat on every shift and has become very responsible on defense too. I think Vanek is an overall better player at the time being.

[voicekiller]

Vanek any day

[jlpubarch]

vanek = better 2-way player...hence walking away with league leading +/-

and you cant' say its cause he has great line-mates...Kovalchuk is on Atlanta's SUPER line...after which their depth fails to hold up very well...precisely why I pick the Rangers to beat them in 6.

[Bay Side]

Vanek...Awsome 2nd year....Where does he peak...this kid can straight up play!!!

[DVS1]

Hind sight makes the choice a little easier now, but I think that I would of chosen VANEK when this was first posted.

[emo]

Hell, I think I'd still take Kovalchuk. TV's awesome, but put Kovalchuk in a Slug Uniform and his point total would be higher than it was with the Caps.

when did he play with the caps?

[Smapdi]

Darcy needs to lock up Vanek this offseason to a longgggggg term deal. He will only continue to get better and better so this offseason would be your best bet to get him at a reasonable price.

There is also the chance that someone could step up and offer him a HUGE contract. I hope Darcy does everything he can to lock up Vanek for years to come.