Let's explore this without assuming Nyquist/Brunner is going to step into Hudler's spot, and Cleary doesn't have resurgence to his average 20 goals, he went from 26 to 12, personally I feel he's going to have a bounce back year, but I digress.
So let's use P/G just to account for injuries etc. and use PPG to assign lines.
Zetterberg(.84)/Datsyuk(.96)/Franzen(.73)
Bertuzzi(.54)/Filpulla(.81)/Sammy(.57)
Sedin(.93)/Sedin(.99)/Higgins(.61)
Burrows(.65)Kesler(.64)/Booth(.48)
So as we see Sedin/Sedin outscore Z/D, but doesn't ..12 more ppg account for the defense gained? I don't think so, but if you do then add Franzen's production over Higgins. I'd take our line personally just from defensive purposes, but they are pretty even just offensively.
Second line, Burrows better than Bertuzzi in everyway, clear win there. Kesler verse Filpulla, interesting, Filpulla had a much better season 66 points to 44, and defensive while Kesler is elite, Filpulla isn't that far behind, I'd say the .17 ppg difference tilts it in favor of Fil based on just last season, but Kesler has a better past sure, but if you accept that then why can't datsyuk go back to 97 points? Booth verse Sammy, this surprised me, wow did Booth struggle just 30 points in 62 games, Sammy might not be much better but he had 31 on Florida in 54 games. I'd give the edge to sammy even career numbers Sammy has .10 advantage.
Better? Possible given what you think defense is worth etc. But way better top 6? I definitely don't see that.
Pittsburgh has a better top 6, no doubt about it, but looking at their defense is a laughing stock, and Pittsburgh is my second favorite team haha.
Blackhawks! i'm interested in this one
Zetterberg(.84)/Datsyuk(.96)/Franzen(.73)
Bertuzzi(.54)/Filpulla(.81)/Sammy(.57)
Sharp(.93)/Toews(.97)/Hossa(.95)
Kane(,80)Bolland(.49)/Stalberg(.54)
D/Z = Sharp/Toews ? Maybe I'm not sure, Datsyuk Zetterberg are both very good defensive players, Toews is very good aswell, Sharp is average. I'll give the edge to chicago.
Hossa>Franzen by a lot. First line pretty clear is Chicago.
Second line If you compare it as a whole it's about equal, kane>Filpulla but Sammy/Bert are more production than Bolland/Stalberg
Once again Chicago probably has a better top 6, but way better? probably not, the only team that has a way better top 6 are Pittsburgh, and they lack in the bottom 6/defense, and Fleury was a train wreck.
My apologies I didnt mean to say "way better" but IMO all three teams top 6 are more soild then the Red Wings top 6 Espesially with how we do not really know what we are getting with Nyquist and Brunner.
