[Cage Match Tournament] #3 Kopitar vs. #6 Benn

[metaldude26]

This here is round one of the Lemieux Bracket. Remember, this poll is for a points only keeper league. Make sure you get caught up by reading the article on the front page to see the full bracket but for now cast your votes and comment away, we want to hear what you have to say!

Here are links to the other polls this round:

#1 Steven Stamkos vs. #8 Bobby Ryan
#2 John Tavares vs. #7 Marian Gaborik
#4 Phil Kessel vs. #5 Tyler Seguin

[tgraveline]

I went with Benn here. I feel like Kopitar has been around awhile (he's still just 24 versus Benn being 22), but he just hasn't consistently put up the numbers I keep hoping he will. He gets the hot stretches, and he's surrounded by even more talent than before. I think Benn has the ability to create more scoring than Kopitar on an individual level and I think we're still just seeing the tip of the iceberg that is Benn.

[Fast Tony DeNiro]

Tough call but went with Benn. I do think Kopitar has 90+ talent but it's been awhile now he's been stuck around 75-80 and just hasn't been able to break through. I'm not sure Benn has that upside but I'll take him for the chance he can go higher than Kopi.

[FV1986]

With bias, I voted for Anze Kopitar since I have him in a keeper league. If he ever "wakes up" though, I think he would leave Benn in the dust.

[hockeyrobot]

VERY interesting one here. I like Benn though even considering it's a points only.

[keytolife]

Close matchup. Points only i decided to go with the pure upside and voted Kopitar, but i could flip a coin

[Carcillo]

Kopitar is more proven and has higher points upside. Got to go with him.

[Kofax]

Shocked that so many are gonig with Benn. This is his first season of really producing, while Kopitar has done it for a couple in a row now and has a higher ceiling. Looks like Benn is the 'sexy' pick.

[pittshamblyuins]

Agree with Kofax here...surprised so many went with Benn...remember this is a points only match-up. I think over the next 10 years in a points only format...Kopitar wins at least 7 of those seasons. Benn will have better peripherals perhaps...but Kopitar here in a heartbeat for me.

[ginblossoms]

One consideration here is that Kopitar has been getting prime offensive minutes with LA's best "offensive" players. Meanwhile, Benn was not top 6 last year (3rd center behind Ribeiro/Richards) and has been paired with Ott most of this season. And yet he still produces.

This and the aforementioned point regarding different trajectories of their careers. If they were stocks, Kopitar has not met his "earnings" expectations, and Benn is still in growth mode.

[Hardyvan123]

Kopitar is more proven and has higher points upside. Got to go with him.

This is why I took Kopitar, his off year this year aside, but either way this is the last round either guy lasts IMO.

[phickey]

Got to go with Kopitar here, but I like this matchup. Agree for all the reasons Kofax mentioned. With 1 good season for Benn, I have to follow Dobber's golden rule and go with proven over potential. Kopi is a run-n-gun coach away for 90.

[bigbabybuda]

It is hard for me to even comprehend that Benn could be leading Kopitar in this vote. I will be happy to take Kopitar over him everyday...