They are not elite. In fact, they aren’t even underrated. Probably overrated in some circles.

We have never seen them play apart for an extended period of time at the NHL level. If either or both of them were truly elite players, they could play dominant hockey on separate lines.

Ovechkin scores with anyone on his line. Crosby and Malkin can play together on the PP, apart and even strength, and always produce regardless. Datsyuk and Zetterberg are dynamic together, but when separated, create a whole different matchup problem for the opposition. Richards and Carter are very similar.

I want to see the Sedins play apart. I need to see Henrik pass to another winger and help him have a career year, and see Daniel flank a different centerman and show some scoring instinct.

They are very nice players, I think almost anyone would love them on their team, but therein lies the problem—you’d love THEM on your team, not one or the other.

Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 09/15/09 at 10:10 AM ET

164 points between two people on one line?  I’d call that elite scoring.

They still creep me out, though.  I keep expecting their eyes to glow red and them to levitate about an inch off the ground.

Posted by Hippy Dave from San Francisco by way of Detroit on 09/15/09 at 10:21 AM ET

Don’t give me actual point totals, Hippy Dave, I need Corwick and Fensi, er, I mean Corsi and Fenwick numbers…

Posted by dash_pinched from Rumour Mill Bay on 09/15/09 at 10:26 AM ET

I don’t know, would they be elite if they were baseball players?

I think the Sedin twins are elite in that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.  I do believe the deserve the contracts they got in Vancouver, but it’s a big gamble since there are now twice as many body parts to get injured.  I don’t believe either of them are as good without the other.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 09/15/09 at 10:37 AM ET

They still creep me out, though.  I keep expecting their eyes to glow red and them to levitate about an inch off the ground.

I’ve seen their heads spin while sitting on the bench.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don’t live up to my expectations on 09/15/09 at 10:47 AM ET

164 points between two people on one line?  I’d call that elite scoring.

I don’t disagree… but J.J. says it best…

I think the Sedin twins are elite in that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

If I were a GM, it’d be tough to justify giving both of these guys big money, because what happens if one goes down for an extended period of time? Does that mean your 164 points are cut to 82, or are they cut to 60? There’s absolutely no way to tell because these two guys have never stood on their own.

They are a great pair. Sure, they are an elite duo. But they are not, in and of themselves, elite.

Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 09/15/09 at 11:03 AM ET

I wonder if one makes the Hall of Fame, would he decline induction if the other doesn’t make it.  Kidding aside, 164 points I think is a little misleading considering that many of those points would occur with a goal and an assist, or two assists on the same tally.  Compare them Gretzky/Kurri, Lemieux/Jagr, even Oates/Hull in their prime (We’re talking elite).

Posted by Gumby from the city with more ruins than rome on 09/15/09 at 11:38 AM ET

The Sedin’s are elite forwards in the same way Taco Bell is an elite restaurant.

At 3 in the morning just after a bender, you’d pay something like 7 million bucks a year over the next 5 years for a couple of those chili-cheese burritos, you’re just going to end up on the toilet for a day or two afterwards as a result.  But right then, right in the moment?  Heaven.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 09/15/09 at 12:33 PM ET

Apparently career point a game players are nobody’s, according to some tards above.

Posted by Ryan27 from Nah on 09/15/09 at 12:50 PM ET

Apparently career point a game players are nobody’s, according to some tards above.
Posted by Ryan27 from Nah on 09/15/09 at 01:50 PM ET

I hope you don’t think that the Sedin twins are career point per game players.  Last year was the only season that either of them were point per game.  They’re good hockey players, not elite.

Posted by Gumby from the city with more ruins than rome on 09/15/09 at 02:16 PM ET

Agree 100%, Gumby.

Look, last year was a very nice year for the Sedin’s.  Of course, the more cynical might point to that season being a contract year rather than evidence of sudden improvement, but that’s probably neither here nor there.

The problem with the Sedin’s and this discussion of ‘elite’ is that it’s really tough to match them up against the best two forwards on -insert name of top 6 conference team here- and not have to pick the other guys.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 09/15/09 at 02:28 PM ET

At 3 in the morning just after a bender, you’d pay something like 7 million bucks a year over the next 5 years for a couple of those chili-cheese burritos, you’re just going to end up on the toilet for a day or two afterwards as a result.  But right then, right in the moment?  Heaven.

HockeyInHD, you’re my hero.

I agree with a lot of the folks here, they’re a unique situation in that they’re greater than the sum of their parts.  But so long as they remain healthy, and together, I think we’re going to keep seeing a 1.0 PPG ratio going forward.  Otherwise, all bets are off.  I’d say 5.5M/yr. each.  No more.  Unless taco bell is included.

Posted by Hippy Dave from San Francisco by way of Detroit on 09/16/09 at 12:29 AM ET

In my opinion, the sedins are great players, but not in the same elite status as guys like Nash, Staal, Crosby. Ovechkin.  The main reason is because it is hard to see how they will play when separated.  They have almost never played with out each other, except for a few sparse times during a period.  However, their durability speaks for itself. 

Since entering the NHL in 2000-2001 the twins have combined for a total of 24 games missed with henrik missing 10 games over his entire career and Daniel missing 14.

That said, accidents do happen and it would be interesting to see how well they do without each other.

It should also be noted that they have increased their point totals every year since they have joined the NHL with the exception of one year 2008-2009 the year we missed the playoffs.

The sedins have improved dramatically since the lock out, and are totally worth the contracts they are receiving at this point.  If they continue to improve they are a bargain, no doubt.  They were severely underpaid for the longest time, now they finnally have some recognition and i hope they run with it.  Time will tell if they ever make it to elite status.

Posted by Luongo-is-my-hero on 09/16/09 at 12:40 AM ET