First 3 seasons: Kaprizov or Kovalchuk?

[SeanMoneyHands]

Who was better? Kovy had two 50 goal seasons in his first 3 seasons as a Thrasher.

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[Love]

Who was better? Kovy had two 50 goal seasons in his first 3 seasons as a Thrasher.

He actually had zero 50 goal seasons in his first three years as a Thrasher. But he was also much younger than Kaprizov. This is comparing a teenager to a guy in his mid 20s.

 

[lawrence]

Kinda different since Kovalchuk had to step in an 18 year old in a young struggling franchise.

 

[Mrb1p]

Kovalchuk, much younger, lower scoring league and just a dominating force. Im thinking Kap doesn't reach his peak either, he was awesome.

 

[BlueBull]

Kovy had two 50 goal seasons in his first 3 seasons as a Thrasher.

 

[Buck Naked]

Kaprizov is only 7 points behind Kovalchuk's first three seasons total. With two thirds of a season to go. He's gonna slaughter Kovie's first three seasons.

 

[NyQuil]

What Kovalchuk did as an 18 year old trumps Kaprisov in this case.

 

[Buck Naked]

What Kovalchuk did as an 18 year old trumps Kaprisov in this case.

He did what Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also did. Would you put him over Kaprizov as well?

 

[MardyBum]

Kovalchuk. 5 years younger in a lower scoring era, his numbers are more impressive.

 

[Strong Hearts]

Kaprizov is only 7 points behind Kovalchuk's first three seasons total. With two thirds of a season to go. He's gonna slaughter Kovie's first three seasons.

Kovalchuk spent the first three seasons of his career (2002-2004) in the dead puck era. To compare these two using raw point totals isn't fair to Kovalchuk.

 

[kp61c]

I would take Kaprizov at their peaks. Kovalchuk was as dumb as a rock.

 

[NyQuil]

He did what Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also did. Would you put him over Kaprizov as well?

Sorry, I meant starting as an 18 year old.

Ilya Kovalchuk

01-02 - 65GP 29G 22A 51 PTS
02-03 - 81GP 38G 29A 67 PTS
03-04 - 81GP 41G 46A 87 PTS

0.49 GPG 0.90 PPG

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

11-12 - 62GP 18G 34A 52 PTS
12-13 - 40GP 4G 20A 24 PTS
13-14 - 80GP 19G 37A 56 PTS

0.22 GPG 0.72 PPG

 

[Buck Naked]

Sorry, I meant starting as an 18 year old.

Ilya Kovalchuk

01-02 - 65GP 29G 22A 51 PTS
02-03 - 81GP 38G 29A 67 PTS
03-04 - 81GP 41G 46A 87 PTS

0.49 GPG 0.90 PPG

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

11-12 - 62GP 18G 34A 52 PTS
12-13 - 40GP 4G 20A 24 PTS
13-14 - 80GP 19G 37A 56 PTS

0.22 GPG 0.72 PPG

Psssst, newsflash. You said "what Kovalchuk did as an 18-year old." But I guess his 18-year old season ran for three seasons.

 

[NyQuil]

Psssst, newsflash. You said "what Kovalchuk did as an 18-year old." But I guess his 18-year old season ran for three seasons.

Newsflash, I updated my response - re-read your quote.

Using “first three seasons” is a convenient way to compare apples to oranges in any case where you have a mature rookie.

How about Makarov’s first three seasons?

 

[bobbyking]

kovalchuk . defense doesn't exist today

 

[Buck Naked]

Newsflash, I updated my response - re-read your quote.

Using “first three seasons” is a convenient way to compare apples to oranges in any case where you have a mature rookie.

How about Makarov’s first three seasons?

It doesn't matter if you updated, my answer was to your first post which clearly said that what Kovalchuk did as an 18-year old was more impressive than what Kaprizov is doing right now. That's why I compared one season, and one season only.

 

[NyQuil]

It doesn't matter if you updated, my answer was to your first post which clearly said that what Kovalchuk did as an 18-year old was more impressive than what Kaprizov is doing right now. That's why I compared one season, and one season only.

How is your answer to my "first post" when it's clearly in your quote?

In any event.

I would still take Kovalchuk's 29 goals over Nugent-Hopkins.

I think most people would.

Kaprisov rookie season as a 23 year old:

55GP 27G 24A 51 PTS

Kovalchuk rookie season as an 18 year old:

65GP 29G 22A 51 PTS

Yeah, marginally better on a much better team.

I'm pretty satisfied with my response.

 

[ThatGuy22]

Unfair comparison...raw who was better, it's clearly Kaprizov even if you adjust for Era.

More impressive probably kovalachuk

 

[EverTheCynic]

Never liked Kovalchuk's game. One dimensional perimeter shooters just don't do it for me. Brett Hull never did. Kovy didn't either.

 

[AKL]

I mean there's zero doubt Kaprizov has been better in the first three seasons.

Kaprizov has averaged 1.2 points per game while Kovalchuk averaged 0.9. So in terms of the poll question, this should be lopsided for Kaprizov.

 

[Stephen]

I like Kaprizov much more as a player and the Wild are far superior to the 2000s Thrashers, but the circumstances are totally different vs Kovalchuk.

Under different circumstances Kovalchuk could have very plausibly had an Ovechkin lite career. Had he not gone home to the KHL, he would have easily approached the 600 goal mark and 1000 points would have been a slam dunk.

 

[VainGretzky]

I mean there's zero doubt Kaprizov has been better in the first three seasons.

Kaprizov has averaged 1.2 points per game while Kovalchuk averaged 0.9. So in terms of the poll question, this should be lopsided for Kaprizov.

The different eras in the lower-scoring league and the age difference are big differences in starting your career at 23 after playing in another pro league than at 18, but I will say Karpriov is a much more shiftier and dynamic player than Kovalchuk who was more straight-line speed and shot, Kaprizov is a very fun player to watch

 

[Regal]

I mean there's zero doubt Kaprizov has been better in the first three seasons.

Kaprizov has averaged 1.2 points per game while Kovalchuk averaged 0.9. So in terms of the poll question, this should be lopsided for Kaprizov.

It’s closer than the numbers due to league wide scoring. Kovalchuk was 22nd in points per game among those with 100 games and was 2nd in scoring and 1st in goals in his best season, while Kaprizov has been 9th in points per game among those with 100 games and was 5th in both goals and points in his best year. Still Kaprizov for better player though obviously, but Kovalchuk’s seasons might be more impressive given his age and how much more young players seemed to struggle in the league at that time.

It’d be an interesting comparison if it was a 20-25 year old Kovalchuk, though I think I still prefer Kaprizov’s game

 

[Xspyrit]

Answer is Kaprizov but unfair poll

 

[SensFan4lyfe]

Kovalchuk and its not even close lol