Is Bergeron the Best Two way Player in the Game?

[captaintek33]

The more I watch him play, the more convinced I am that there is no one better at doing all of the little things, both offensively and defensively, than Patrice Bergeron. Maybe it's just because I see every game he plays, and I don't get to watch other teams as much, but am I wrong? Is there anyone better?

Obviously, there are more talented players who score more points (Crosby, Malkin, Kane, etc). But those guys, although not butchers defensively, are probably not going to win any Selke Trophies any time soon....

Help me out here. Is there any better two-way, three zone player, who kills penalties, AND plays the PP AND wins 60% of face-offs AND makes their 20 year old defensively suspect linemate a
+35? Who would even be in the conversation? I guess Datsyuk... Giroux, maybe (?) Eric Staal (?)...

[Shaiza]

Jonathan Toews is the best 2 way center in the game right now. Bergeron is top 3 in my opinion, in terms of excellent two way play.

[captaintek33]

Oh yea... I forgot about Toews... Good call!

[Seguin]

Crosby is the best 2-way center by my definition

[OneManIsNoMan]

I'd go Toews, Datsyuk, Bergeron

[NeelyforPres]

Tough not to put Crosby at the top of the list after watching him twice recently.

[Shaiza]

Everyone has their own definition of a 2-way center, which is totally fine. I believe Crosby doesn't belong in the conversation though, in my definition.

[OneManIsNoMan]

Gotta go with Shaiza on this. The one thing they stressed in the Pitt games was DB trying to keep Crosby away from Bergeron. Offensively Crosby is the best center in the game, defensively not so much.

[Seguin]

Tough not to put Crosby at the top of the list after watching him twice recently.

Agreed. It's Crosby head and shoulders above the rest, then id go Datsyuk, Toews, and Bergy.

[captaintek33]

Crosby is the best two way center in the same way that Bobby Orr was the best defenseman... The best way to play defense is to have the puck, 200 feet from your goalie... Crosby is the best offensive player in the league, which makes him a good all around player.

But, I don't know how you can put Crosby's play when his team doesn't have the puck in the same conversation as Bergeron's. I say Bergy is the best in the business without the puck, and the only reason I'd put Toews ahead of him overall in this conversation is because Toews is damn good without the puck, but is better than Bergy with the puck... Crosby is the best in the league when his team has the puck, and is pretty good, but not GREAT, without it.

[Seguin]

Orr was good defensively as well, that's why he's in the conversation for the best to ever play the game.

Crosbys defensive game obviously isn't as good as Bergerons, but Bergerons offensive game isn't on the same planet at Crosbys.

The term 2-way just makes it seem like we're trying to elevate Bergy for no reason. When comparing players it's not like we just disregard defensive game.

[Shaiza]

Orr was good defensively as well, that's why he's in the conversation for the best to ever play the game.

Crosbys defensive game obviously isn't as good as Bergerons, but Bergerons offensive game isn't on the same planet at Crosbys.

The term 2-way just makes it seem like we're trying to elevate Bergy for no reason. When comparing players it's not like we just disregard defensive game.

I get what you're saying. People, including me, tend to think more defensively when the term 2-way is used. It really should be the combination of both offensive and defensive play. The real question is, what's the difference between the defensive play between the players along with the offensive play? Which player has the bigger difference?

I put more emphasis in the defensive side of things and I value Bergeron's play there more than Crosby's. By a big margin in that department. Obviously Crosby has the upper hand offensively though.

[NeelyforPres]

Even if Crosby is just average defensively (which I think he's better than average) he's at the top of the list because he's just so much better than everyone else offensively.

I feel he doesn't get enough respect for his two way play because he's such a scorer.

Is he as good as Bergeron defensively? No.

[dynasty7961]

Bergeron is definitely up there. Love watching him play.

I'm on the Iginla to Boston wagon Shaiza!

[Seguin]

Even if Crosby is just average defensively (which I think he's better than average) he's at the top of the list because he's just so much better than everyone else offensively.

I feel he doesn't get enough respect for his two way play because he's such a scorer.

Is he as good as Bergeron defensively? No.

Pretty much this. Otherwise the question changes to best defensive forward who's also a top line forward