Sundin ranks 29th in all-time GVT in the NHL and, adjusting for scoring levels, he is 17th on the...

Sundin ranks 29th in all-time GVT in the NHL and, adjusting for scoring levels, he is 17th on the all-time points list. He is the longest-serving European captain in NHL history. Among other amazing stats, he is one of only two players (with Marcel Dionne) to score 20 or more goals in his first 16 (!) seasons. Despite his lack of playoff success, he should be a slam-dunk Hall-of-Famer, and remembered as one of the 50 or so best players ever to lace on skates.

Puck Prospectus' Tom Awad gives Leafs fans a little more data to use as back up the next time someone wonders if Mats Sundin is a Hall of Famer.

over 2 years ago PPP 38 comments 0 recs |

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I would be surprised if Sundin isn’t a first ballot hall of famer.

by Huey2k2 on Oct 30, 2009 1:08 AM EDT reply actions

He’ll likely be in a tough tough class.

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by PPP on Oct 30, 2009 1:58 AM EDT up reply actions

he’s got Sakic… and who else?

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Oct 30, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Guys that don’t get in over the next three years. Could have Dougie in his class at least.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Oct 30, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Sundin and Dougie going in the same year would be awesome

There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"

by Matt_Roberts on Oct 30, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

What the heck is GVT?

I also think Ovechkin will join that club. He may even start his own club. 30 goal in his first 16 seasons are pretty much a lock, 40 is a possibility (with the exception of an injury / lock-out shortened season(s)). Although it’s hard to predict how the game will be played in 10+ years; or if Ovechkin goes all Yashin on the NHL and decides he’d rather not earn his money.

by Belligerent Burkie on Oct 30, 2009 1:14 AM EDT reply actions

A mainstay of Puck Prospectus’s metrics is “Goals Versus Threshold” (GVT). The stat blends an array of offensive and defensive figures to measure the value, in terms of goals, a player contributes above what the marginal player would over the course of the season. A marginal player is one that could be replaced with a player of equivalent skill, e.g. from the minors. For instance, Evgeni Malkin had an offensive GVT of +18.9, a defensive GVT of +4.5 and a total GVT of +23.4 for the 2008-9 regular season, meaning that Malkin was worth 23.4 goals more than a marginal player over the course of the season, or worth about 0.3 additional goals per game. In the team context, GVT refers to performance above an NHL average team. For the regular season, the Detroit Red Wings had a +30.8 offensive GVT, a +15.1 defensive GVT, a -21.5 goaltending GVT, for a +24.4 total GVT. Therefore, at even strength, Detroit was 24.4 goals better than the average team.

Even Godzillas Need A Home

by Robot Godzilla on Oct 30, 2009 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Phenomenal summary

Seriously, well done on explaining GVT. That site is still in its infancy, especially on making terms and stats easily accessible to curious observers.

Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell

by bkblades on Oct 30, 2009 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions

The Abridged Version:

Mats Sundin was properly, genuinely and incontrovertibly awesome. So there.

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by article1 on Oct 30, 2009 1:55 AM EDT reply actions

Mats Sundin is 14th all-time in points/per game from the ages of 34 to 40. Higher than Steve Yzerman, Ron Francis, and Brett Hull amongst countless others. His consistency as a point per game player, especially even in his advanced years was remarkable.

Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell

by bkblades on Oct 30, 2009 2:28 AM EDT reply actions

Overrated

Sundin will be remembered by me as one of the most overrated players of all time. If he played for any other team his name would be Ollie Jokinen. He can thank his Leaf jersey when he gets in the hall.

by Johnny Bower's Pokecheck on Oct 30, 2009 3:57 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Did you miss the part about how his stats put him among the top players in the game?

Life as a Toronto Sports Fan?... *sigh*... It is what it is...

by JohnnyG on Oct 30, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions

15 career regualr season overtime goals

If he played for any other team his name would be ~~Ollie Jokinen~~ Jaromir Jagr, Sergei Federov, or Patrick Elias.

by general borschevsky on Oct 30, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Or he can thank his 500 goals, being the first European selected first overall, and other achievements

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Oct 30, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

I disagree. As much as I hate to say it, if he would have stayed in Quebec he would have had much more success. Probably like 700 career goals, 3 Cup rings to go along with his Olympic gold medal.

by Another Good Kingston Boy on Oct 30, 2009 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Yea... he would've had attained all those

as a member of the Colorado Avalanche

by PLAYOFFS!!!1 on Oct 30, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions

I miss Mats so much

:,(

by PLAYOFFS!!!1 on Oct 30, 2009 8:29 AM EDT reply actions

Sundin = awesome. that is all!

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by blindfolded tank driver on Oct 30, 2009 8:41 AM EDT reply actions

A phenomenal player

and a very good person. And that some ppl in Toronto can´t aknowledge what he did for the Leafs over so many years is astounding.
And for a Swede like me; very sad.
sob
Mats is sporting a full beard nowadays – hows that for a ´stache!??

"I woke up from my work nap for THIS!?"

by SweKool on Oct 30, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions