Nikita Kucherov vs. Evgeni Malkin

[WarriorofTime]

Point's speed and the threat of his speed opens a lot of things up for Kucherov. And the defense and goalie on TB gives him more leeway to cherrypick.

This is just a weird comment, given that Malkin has dominated with bottom 6 players and won the Art Ross and Conn Smythe, while Kucherov has been blessed with great on ice support almost his entire career

Having Sidney Crosby on a powerplay and to eat the top matchups doesn’t hurt.

 

[authentic]

Having Sidney Crosby on a powerplay and to eat the top matchups doesn’t hurt.

Crosby was only around for 22 games in Malkin’s best season though.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Crosby was only around for 22 games in Malkin’s best season though.

Oh yeah. Best season for sure. Mostly played with Kunitz and Neal, right?

 

[bambamcam4ever]

Having Sidney Crosby on a powerplay and to eat the top matchups doesn’t hurt.

It's good for the team, not good for individual points. I'm pretty sure Kucherov's power play point totals would drop if he had to share the puck with Crosby.

 

[Bijelo]

Both players amazing. I vote Malkin. The old one have won three SC.

 

[KareemTrustfund]

Having Sidney Crosby on a powerplay and to eat the top matchups doesn’t hurt.

In that case , Kucherov must have been racking up the points against easier matchups in his first five years.

 

[daver]

Having Sidney Crosby on a powerplay and to eat the top matchups doesn’t hurt.

What was Malkin's PPG in 11/12 and in 07/08 when Crosby was out of the lineup?

 

[WarriorofTime]

What was Malkin's PPG in 11/12 and in 07/08 when Crosby was out of the lineup?

I agree it’d likely be higher if Crosby never existed but at the same time, he was still receiving first line type of ice time throughout his career in a 1B role. As far as linemates, Crosby had Kunitz, Dupuis and Guentzel at even strength, Malkin had Talbot, Neal and Hornqvist. Advantage Crosby but also the tougher matchups (like number one defenseman and matchup center types). That’s not a “nothing”. Obviously playing with each other, the powerplay was always outstanding.

I think if we are getting into things like linemate squabbling we are far beyond the point of “it’s nowhere close”. For how “great” Kucherov’s linemates are, look at the gap between him and his teammates (who are also powerplay 1 players) in production this season.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

I think Malkin has a higher peak, but for prime and career it looks like Kucherov is on track to pass him. I'd say with this year's art ross they're pretty even.

Having Sidney Crosby on a powerplay and to eat the top matchups doesn’t hurt.

Malkin's numbers are significantly higher with Crosby out of the lineup. It's something like 1.15 with and 1.45 without.