Has McDavid Surpassed Malkin's Career Yet?

[The Gr8 Dane]

Yes he has but he's going to surpass everybody outside of Crosby and Ovechkin imo

 

[Rodgerwilco]

It basically comes down to how one defines "better" career.

If your idea of having a 'better' career is to have sustained success and win championships while playing at a high level, then obviously Malkin has had the "better" career.

If you're focusing more on individual quality of the player and individual accolades, then it's going to McDavid, even this early in his career. Malkin has had stretches of being the best in the league, but McDavid has been at the top of the list for quite some time now, longer than Malkin for sure.

Most pens fans will say Malkin because of the former reason. Most oilers fans will say McDavid because of the latter. It ultimately comes down to someone's opinion of what you're looking for.

 

[Regal]

drai had 1 less point with 1 less leg

And Crosby was right there with Malkin. So what? There’s more to compare to gain context than one player

 

[Midnight Judges]

If I'm a GM, and I have a choice to get everything Malkin has contributed to the Pens, or I can have everything McDavid has contributed to the Oilers, I'm taking Malkin pretty easily.

That said, McDavid is a near certainty to surpass Malkin under this same criteria. Give it time.

 

[Miro4Norris]

Eras matter but so do games played. Comparing straight totals is pretty flawed when one player played an extra round. McDavid’s points per game was a bit better relative to the other top scorers, but also in a smaller sample. There really isn’t a lot separating the runs

I know but what makes it legendary is that he went all the way. Also, when they get further they will face better teams which lowers the ppg. I'm sure there are many guys with insane ppg after 1/2/3 rounds. However, Connor got zero Conn Smythe votes unlike other 9 guys. If someone had legendary playoffs this year it's Makar with unanimous Conn Smythe win.

 

[Miro4Norris]

Just not a serious take at all
You think one playoff run of 3 more points makes up for the massive difference in individual success?

Nah but 3 cups and one of the best playoffs ever with Conn Smythe makes it up as I said originally. Malkin has also almost twice more regular season points if we're talking about regular seasons.

 

[Hockeyholic]

I think we all agree Malkin and McDavid will be enshrined into the HHOF someday. Both have lived up to their draft status.

I think McDavid has the better career in terms of points, records, recognition, and accolades.

Greater? Malkin. 3 cups. One legendary CS performance. Great PO performer. Top 5 NHL Russian of all time.

 

[TheStatican]

NO. But admittedly it is getting close already...

 

[tarheelhockey]

Mcdavid is around Lafleur levels at this point.

Yep, Lafleur is a really good comparable to McDavid and I don't know anyone who puts Malkin over Lafleur.

Through age 25

Lafleur: 1 Hart + 1 Hart Finalist, 3 First + 0 Second All Star RW, 1 Ross, 1 Smythe, 3 Cups
McDavid: 2 Hart + 2 Hart Finalist, 4 First + 1 Second All Star C, 3 Ross, 0 Smythe, 0 Cups

Age 26-28

Lafleur: 1 Hart + 1 Hart Finalist, 3 First + 0 Second All Star RW, 1 Ross, 0 Smythe, 2 Cups
McDavid: TBD

After age 28

Lafleur: Nothing noteworthy
McDavid: TBD


Lafleur is always going to have the edge in Cups because he played for arguably the strongest dynasty of all time. Outside of the playoff argument, McDavid already has an equal or slightly better set of hardware, and the margin is going to become quite clear within the next year or two. He also can't help but have a better post-28 career than Lafleur, who largely self-destructed. We are at the precise point in time where Lafleur's dynasty advantage still carries enough weight to make it a real debate, but that will be over pretty soon.

 

[93LEAFS]

Malkin. But, McDavid will pass him in time. He really needs that cup and conn smythe, but even without that his individual numbers and accolades will likely get him there barring some dramatic fall off.