Clayton Keller or Zach Hyman?

[SeanMoneyHands]

Who's better?

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[Play]

Boston College fan here who hates Boston University(Kellers old team) , but this is Keller

 

[Regal]

Hyman’s become a legit player who can help you in so many ways. Keller is more naturally talented, but I think I’d take Hyman on my team more often than not. That said, would be interesting to see Keller with some of the talent Hyman has played with

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

In a vacuum it's pretty clearly Keller, but they're very different players so I could see certain scenarios where you'd prefer to have Hyman.

 

[Bouboumaster]

Even for me

 

[Three On Zero]

Keller

 

[biturbo19]

Like others have suggested...Keller is the more purely talented player. More of a true line-driving star. But Hyman is no slouch and if push came to shove, i'd probably take Hyman for the Canucks over Keller. I think it's close enough that there are probably a lot of situations around the league that might lean that way. It's just such a valuable skillset. Not only is he capable of superb productivity, he does so many little things that just help other top skilled linemates be more effective.

 

[banks]

Hyman is seriously underrated in general. And he's done far more than just ride coattails.

But Keller has never in his career had a coattail to ride. He's had to do it all himself, and has done so. I'm a huge fan. The answer here is Keller.

 

[lipstickjunkie]

Classic apples vs. oranges

Kinda depends what you need.

Hyman has had the luxury of playing with at least one, if not two, of some of the most talented players in the league (Matthews, Marner, Nylander, McDavid, Draisaitl) his entire career.

But he's worked his tail off and made himself into a legit top-line player, and is probably the harder commodity to find, as good as Keller is.

So I vote Hyman.

Edit: I guess the actual question of "who's better" might be Keller. But I would take Hyman on my team.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Keller. More of a play driver on his own.

 

[PuckG]

Keller is probably the more skilled and better player but I don’t think he could replace what Hyman’s current role on the Oilers is.

 

[Elvs]

Keller is the better player in a vacuum so I voted him, but if you get to build a realistic contender under the salary cap, Hyman would be one of the best options at what he brings. Meanwhile, I would certainly pick other offensive stars to lead my attack over Keller. That's the best way I can try to put it.

 

[biturbo19]

Keller is the better player in a vacuum so I voted him, but if you get to build a realistic contender under the salary cap, Hyman would be one of the best options at what he brings. Meanwhile, I would certainly pick other offensive stars to lead my attack over Keller. That's the best way I can try to put it.

I think that's an interest way to frame it.

Essentially, Keller might be the more pure skilled "play driver" to lead the attack...but if Keller is your "best player" you've got holes in your roster. Whereas Hyman as well, if he's your best player...well you're in trouble. But i think the context of this comparison makes it fair to consider it as though you're going to have other top skill guys better than Keller. Because otherwise, what are you really building with either of the two?

 

[Regal]

I think that's an interest way to frame it.

Essentially, Keller might be the more pure skilled "play driver" to lead the attack...but if Keller is your "best player" you've got holes in your roster. Whereas Hyman as well, if he's your best player...well you're in trouble. But i think the context of this comparison makes it fair to consider it as though you're going to have other top skill guys better than Keller. Because otherwise, what are you really building with either of the two?

I think this kind of speaks to how “better player” discussions can sometimes be problematic. Often it’s more about fit than anything. And I think Hyman brings more of what you want out of a 3rd-4th best forward on a roster, which is probably where either would sit on a real contender.

 

[norrisnick]

If you're ranking these guys based on who is around them, then you're really ranking the players that are around them. Take everyone else away, Keller is the better choice. It takes a very specific addition of players to suddenly make Keller superfluous and tilt the decision to Hyman.

 

[Regal]

If you're ranking these guys based on who is around them, then you're really ranking the players that are around them. Take everyone else away, Keller is the better choice. It takes a very specific addition of players to suddenly make Keller superfluous and tilt the decision to Hyman.

Right but ultimately who cares who’d be the better forward as the best player on a team going nowhere? Players don’t exist in a vacuum and teams are made up of more than one guy so part of an evaluation should probably be how they’d fit in while building a team. Versatile players who can retrieve the puck, play well with skill guys, be a net front presence, etc, are important. I’d argue he’s a better possession driver too. If Keller is more valuable to Arizona than Hyman would be but Hyman is more valuable to Edmonton, then is Keller actually better? Or is it team dependent? I don’t know if the players needed to swing things are that specific tbh. I’d say most playoff teams would be better with Hyman.

 

[AvroArrow]

They bring totally different skillsets but if I need a guy for the playoffs I'm taking Hyman all day. Gritty, plays the PP, elite on the PK, phenomenal defensively, can ship in offensively, great along the boards. He plays that gritty grinding game you need if you want playoff success.

On the other hand if I'm a team like say the Islanders, who have a solid goaltender and a good system, they need the extra offensive firepower, i'd take Keller.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Is this even a comparison? Keller, naturally.

 

[La Bamba]

As others said, Keller is probably better in a vacuum but Hyman is an incredible player. Smart, simple, and hard working

 

[82Ninety42011]

Keller better player easily but Hyman in much better situation. I'd add Hyman is underrated hard working player that's made for the playoffs. Keller is just more talented,

 

[Wallet Inspector]

Keller would be a 100 point player if he got to play on Mcdavid's wing and the Oilers PP1.

 

[Voight]

In a vacuum it's pretty clearly Keller, but they're very different players so I could see certain scenarios where you'd prefer to have Hyman.

Yea, like if your teams #1 centre was named McDavid

 

[norrisnick]

Right but ultimately who cares who’d be the better forward as the best player on a team going nowhere? Players don’t exist in a vacuum and teams are made up of more than one guy so part of an evaluation should probably be how they’d fit in while building a team. Versatile players who can retrieve the puck, play well with skill guys, be a net front presence, etc, are important. I’d argue he’s a better possession driver too. If Keller is more valuable to Arizona than Hyman would be but Hyman is more valuable to Edmonton, then is Keller actually better? Or is it team dependent? I don’t know if the players needed to swing things are that specific tbh. I’d say most playoff teams would be better with Hyman.

Everyone, because that would define who is actually better between the two players. Being a puck retrieval guy that crashes the crease means you have chemistry with a specific pairing of players, but that doesn't make you better. Otherwise Holmstrom would considered better than a ton of guys he really shouldn't because he brought a unique skillset to play with the Wings' skill guys.

 

[biturbo19]

Everyone, because that would define who is actually better between the two players. Being a puck retrieval guy that crashes the crease means you have chemistry with a specific pairing of players, but that doesn't make you better. Otherwise Holmstrom would considered better than a ton of guys he really shouldn't because he brought a unique skillset to play with the Wings' skill guys.

I think that's hugely reductive regarding Hyman's skillset. He's not just a specialist net front garbage man. He's a legitimately talented high IQ high skill forward in his own right, who just happens to have a bit more of a "grinder" mentality than Keller. It's really more of a "stylistic" issue.

Where Keller might be better suited to be the primary puck possessor /puck handler on a line...that puts him in a situation where he's going to be at his best when he's the "best player on his line". But i'm not sure if he's good enough to be the "best player on the best line" on a contender.

Whereas Hyman's style of play doesn't require him to have the puck on his stick nearly as much to be his most effective self. It's more about digging up pucks, getting open supporting play, and just generally playing responsible complementary hockey. The perfect complement to the "best player on the best line of a contender". A more natural fit than Keller who is potentially going to be dueling with that linemate for puckhandling time to play his most effective game.

 

[norrisnick]

I think that's hugely reductive regarding Hyman's skillset. He's not just a specialist net front garbage man. He's a legitimately talented high IQ high skill forward in his own right, who just happens to have a bit more of a "grinder" mentality than Keller. It's really more of a "stylistic" issue.

Where Keller might be better suited to be the primary puck possessor /puck handler on a line...that puts him in a situation where he's going to be at his best when he's the "best player on his line". But i'm not sure if he's good enough to be the "best player on the best line" on a contender.

Whereas Hyman's style of play doesn't require him to have the puck on his stick nearly as much to be his most effective self. It's more about digging up pucks, getting open supporting play, and just generally playing responsible complementary hockey. The perfect complement to the "best player on the best line of a contender". A more natural fit than Keller who is potentially going to be dueling with that linemate for puckhandling time to play his most effective game.

Hyman was a 0.54 point per game forward until he got to join the McDrai show at the age of 28. And it's not like he was playing on a team bereft of talent.

Keller, at a younger age, is a 0.79 points per game for his career and he's never played with a forward better than he is.

Over the last 3 seasons Keller has a .99 point per game and Hyman a .92 point per game and again, Keller doesn't get to play with McDrai. So through what convoluted lens is Hyman playing better and/or a better player?

Imagine a world where Keller gets say... Barkov and Rantanen as his center and opposing winger. You don't think he'd figure out a way to put up more points than he is with his current linemates?