Byfuglien and Del Z or Burns and Gardiner

[JHouly]

Points only, keeper's league.

My choice for my last 2 D Man are coming to this.

I have to choose one of those two options.

Option A: Byfuglien (considering he will still be available at D position) and Del Zotto

or

Option B: Brent Burns and Jake Gardiner

Thanks!

[His Dudeness]

Interesting choice. I think it's a question of your risk tolerance - if you want to swing for the fences then go Buff/Del Zotto because Buff (counting as a D) is the highest value, but Del Zotto is the riskiest of the 4 given his terrible season last year (although he could totally rebound). If you want to play it a bit safer, go Burns/Gardiner.

[ex_factor]

Buff = Burns
Gardiner > Del Zotto

Option B.

[vitun-tyhmä]

Burns/Gardiner

[His Dudeness]

Buff - 56 points last season; 2 other 50+ points seasons.

Burns - 48 points last season; 2 other 40+ point seasons; never a 50 point season.

They're the same age (within a few weeks).

So just so we're clear, Buff does not equal Burns.

[jcairns]

Buff - 56 points last season; 2 other 50+ points seasons.

Burns - 48 points last season; 2 other 40+ point seasons; never a 50 point season.

They're the same age (within a few weeks).

So just so we're clear, Buff does not equal Burns.

I came here to say this exact same thing. Thanks for covering it!

[ex_factor]

Buff - 56 points last season; 2 other 50+ points seasons.

Burns - 48 points last season; 2 other 40+ point seasons; never a 50 point season.

They're the same age (within a few weeks).

So just so we're clear, Buff does not equal Burns.

Buff had 0.71 points per game last season, Burns had 0.69. That is close enough for me to deem them equal. I wouldn't be shocked at all if Burns had more points than Buff next season, and i wouldnt be shocked if buff had more points, but either way, they'll be close. So, just so we're clear, in my opinion, the difference between next season them will be negligible.

On the other hand, i would be shocked of MDZ was as productive as Gardiner.

[His Dudeness]

I can't disagree with a fact on the points per game stat. But points per game isn't a category in JHourly's league - total points is the category. Don't get me wrong, Burns is a great player, but Buff is the better play in a points only league. It is possible that Burns out-points Buff, but it's unlikely. The difference is more than negligible.

I agree that it would be a bit of a surprise if Del Zotto out-pointed Gardiner, but a shock? Probably not. They're both 24 year old guys, one of whom has a 40 plus point season, and the other is Gardiner. And I live Gardiner (I own him). But it wouldn't be a shock if Del Zotto bounces back.

[Zorro]

Byfuglien is a forward now, so not sure how you can still have him as a dman.. And Del Zotto seems have lost all confidence..

I would want to grab Gardiner for his potential and hope Burns becomes a dman again..

[dejeanneret]

Burns/Gardiner for me. Because neither of them is MDZ.

[havanablast21]

Buff had 0.71 points per game last season, Burns had 0.69. That is close enough for me to deem them equal. I wouldn't be shocked at all if Burns had more points than Buff next season, and i wouldnt be shocked if buff had more points, but either way, they'll be close. So, just so we're clear, in my opinion, the difference between next season them will be negligible.

On the other hand, i would be shocked of MDZ was as productive as Gardiner.

Last year... JUST TO BE CRYSTAL CLEAR...Burns was posing as a D last year when he put up those PPG ratios. This year the roles are reversed... Burns is back on the blue line and Buffy will be winging it and posing as D. If you think that burns on D can out point Buffy on the Wing... We'll then, I can't do much to help you.

But regarding the OP... Burns and Gardiner for me... DelZ is too much a question mark.

[mugien]

With Timonen going down, I'm going to go with Buff/MDZ here. Philly can't afford to not play him, even though he's barely an NHL D-man.

[CHunter]

Burns and Gardiner for me....Del Zotto being the weakest piece in option A....

[NikW71]

For some reason I believe Buff was more effective on the point as opposed to playing wing on the third line. Would love to see how his points by position is broken down if you can find such a thing.

Picking the Burns/Gardiner side. Think Jake is gonna break out this year

[Savvy1982]

Burns/Gardiner for me. Because neither of them is MDZ.

My reasoning as well.

The risk is so high with MDZ - you're better off with Burns/Gardiner - they might not put up Big Buff numbers, but you know what you're getting.