Expansion Team - First pick, Bergeron or Kopitar

[Darren_Kennedy]

I asked a similar question recently from a fantasy perspective. In this case I'm interested in your take from a "real" hockey perspective.

There have been multiple moments this playoffs were analysts have declared Bergeron might be the best 3 zone player in the game. While he's certainly incredible, I'm not sure which way I lean when it comes to Kopitar.

Both are Corsi machines and can contribute offensively. If you're the new GM for the Seattle Sonics (ok, it's not an original expansion team name) who do you take first?

[Axeman33]

I think I prefer Kopitar but its close. He's 2 years younger then Bergeron and has a bit more offense in his game. Bergeron is a FOW beast and can help a game with that aspect alone, but its not like Kopitar is a slouch himself. Kopitar is sneaky good on the defensive end himself.

For me, I would go with Kopitar but I wouldn't begrudge anyone who went with Bergeron.

[Dikoi]

Definitely Kopitar for me as well, higher offensive upside and can still be a Selke trophy candidate every year.

[Pengwin7]

Great player comparison.
In my Dobber PRO league roto pool this year, I drafted both Kopitar and Bergeron.

As REAL-NHL-value goes... it's always hard to grade these two... two of the NHL's 10 best overall REAL-VALUE forwards, IMO.
I really don't know...
It's a coin flip for me.
I can't take a side... I'd honestly call it a draw. (and I hate fence-sitters)

If I'm a GM, and I'm forced to pick, I think I'd go with the slightly higher-offensive-scoring talent... Kopitar.

[The Bottlenecker]

Great player comparison.
If I'm a GM, and I'm forced to pick, I think I'd go with the slightly higher-offensive-scoring talent... Kopitar.

Higher offensive talent and two years younger...go with Kopitar. It pains me to say that because I think Bergeron is awesome, but you see why I (and the other guys) went with Kopitar.

[Darren_Kennedy]

I think I prefer Kopitar but its close. He's 2 years younger then Bergeron and has a bit more offense in his game. Bergeron is a FOW beast and can help a game with that aspect alone, but its not like Kopitar is a slouch himself. Kopitar is sneaky good on the defensive end himself.

For me, I would go with Kopitar but I wouldn't begrudge anyone who went with Bergeron.

The age difference is interesting. Normally I wouldn't put a tonne of stock in it, yet the fact that Bergeron is nearing 30 (the dreaded 30) is enough to consider it a factor

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Definitely Kopitar for me as well, higher offensive upside and can still be a Selke trophy candidate every year.

I wonder if Bergeron has another strong offensive year in 2014-15 whether we think of the gap being smaller than it is today

[Darren_Kennedy]

Great player comparison.
In my Dobber PRO league roto pool this year, I drafted both Kopitar and Bergeron.

As REAL-NHL-value goes... it's always hard to grade these two... two of the NHL's 10 best overall REAL-VALUE forwards, IMO.
I really don't know...
It's a coin flip for me.
I can't take a side... I'd honestly call it a draw. (and I hate fence-sitters)

If I'm a GM, and I'm forced to pick, I think I'd go with the slightly higher-offensive-scoring talent... Kopitar.

On a completely unrelated note, both are also enjoyable guys to play as in NHL 14 (apologies for the non gamers out there, hard not to get lost on a tangent). I probably lean towards Kopitar as well. Although there is an argument Bergeron has the similar offensive upside, but hasn't been unleashed, playing more of a defensive 2C role in Boston