Nikita Kucherov vs. Evgeni Malkin

[CokenoPepsi]

Kuch also can't win in non COVID playoff years.

 

[KareemTrustfund]

You just made the list.

 

[OKR]

It’s still Malkin imo, but it’s pretty damn close.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

Malkin by a significant margin IMO.

I'd take prime Malkin over anyone not named Mcdavid currently

 

[WarriorofTime]

The “Malkin is way better cuz he just is” arguments are definitely not super convincing…

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

It’s Malkin but the Kucherov slander in this thread is over the top. His 2018-2024 run is absolutely insane.

 

[Incognito]

Malkin. There have only been three players better than him since he entered the NHL, and Kucherov isn’t one of them.

 

[authentic]

Malkin. There have only been three players better than him since he entered the NHL, and Kucherov isn’t one of them.

Malkin was as good at his peak as Crosby and Ovechkin, and in some cases like on his very best game type of peak you could argue he was better. He looked like Luigi Lemieux out there and it didn’t matter who his linemates were. Put peak Malkin on current day Tampa Bay Lightning and watch him score over 60 goals and 130 points in an even more dominating fashion.

 

[Plastic Joseph]

The “Malkin is way better cuz he just is” arguments are definitely not super convincing…

The eye test points to Malkin, the hardware points to Malkin.

Raw totals may say Kuch peaked higher, but scoring is way up from 2012 when Malkin was far and away the best player in the world with Crosby out.

 

[WarriorofTime]

The eye test points to Malkin, the hardware points to Malkin.

Raw totals may say Kuch peaked higher, but scoring is way up from 2012 when Malkin was far and away the best player in the world with Crosby out.

If Kucherov wins art ross this year, they’d be tied

 

[Hoek]

It's Malkin but talking as if the gap is massive and Kuch is just nothing is way overselling it. He's the reason his supporting cast looks so good. Take Point away from Kuch and his offensive numbers are a lot more pedestrian. Stamkos ability as a PP specialist is severely hampered without Kuch opposite him. And Kuch was arguably robbed of a Conn Smythe both cup years so holding that against him as if he ghosted or something is silly when his point totals in consecutive playoffs were being compared to Gretzky and Lemieux.

 

[KareemTrustfund]

The “Malkin is way better cuz he just is” arguments are definitely not super convincing…

That’s basically the Kucherov argument since he actually doesn’t have one single thing over Malkin

 

[WarriorofTime]

That’s basically the Kucherov argument since he actually doesn’t have one single thing over Malkin

Well production for one

 

[ThisIsMyAlibi]

peak Malkin was the best player on the planet, who could also elevate inferior linemates

 

[34]

Both guys in their prime are/were world class Players. That said, Gino is the guy here.

 

[wetcoast]

I don’t think there’s a huge gap, and production relative to the league is close, but I think it’s definitely Malkin. Just a better play driver who seemed better able to carry lesser linemates.

Came here to say this but not sure if I'm allowed to vote as I'm Canadian eh.

 

[KareemTrustfund]

Well production for one

Production? He hadn’t produced a superstar season until his fifth year. He has a 90 point C on his line. You do understand how hard it was to put up 100 point seasons a decade ago compared to now? If Kucherov wants to be in that Sid/Geno/Ovie tear he’s gotta have a season like Mcdavid in todays scoring climate. Kucherov has the benefit of the small goalie gear era.

Over 40 players were above PPG last year. There were 7 when Malkin did it. Trying to paint the picture that Kucherov out did Malkin’s greatest season in points is stupid. It’s just different now. f***ing defenceman are putting up 100points ffs.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Production?

Yep, production

 

[KareemTrustfund]

Yep, production

Got ‘em

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Malkin, easily.

 

[WarriorofTime]

He has a 90 point C on his line.

Played with Crosby on the powerplay, had Crosby to take easier matchups

You do understand how hard it was to put up 100 point seasons a decade ago compared to now?

Kucherov averages a 119 point pace

If Kucherov wants to be in that Sid/Geno/Ovie tear he’s gotta have a season like Mcdavid in todays scoring climate.

He had 128 points, beat a healthy McDavid by 12 points.

Kucherov has the benefit of the small goalie gear era.

Era-adjusted Kucherov's 2018-19 season is better than any Malkin season

Over 40 players were above PPG last year. There were 7 when Malkin did it.

Do you think Kucherov is only PPG?

Trying to paint the picture that Kucherov out did Malkin’s greatest season in points is stupid

He did though

. It’s just different now. f***ing defenceman are putting up 100points ffs.

Era-adjusted, Kucherov is still producing more.

 

[blundluntman]

Malkin was as good at his peak as Crosby and Ovechkin, and in some cases like on his very best game type of peak you could argue he was better. He looked like Luigi Lemieux out there and it didn’t matter who his linemates were. Put peak Malkin on current day Tampa Bay Lightning and watch him score over 60 goals and 130 points in an even more dominating fashion.

Luigi Lemieux is the perfect nickname for Malkin. Well done. (Also, I agree)

 

[KareemTrustfund]

Played with Crosby on the powerplay, had Crosby to take easier matchups

Kucherov averages a 119 point pace

He had 128 points, beat a healthy McDavid by 12 points.

Era-adjusted Kucherov's 2018-19 season is better than any Malkin season

Do you think Kucherov is only PPG?

He did though

Era-adjusted, Kucherov is still producing more.

Show me the era adjusted points being higher than Malkin please.

And no obviously I know he’s more than PPG. It just took a way easier scoring era to get him there , that’s all

Also the easier matchups theory? Give me a break. What first line player ever gets demoted to second line and produces more? “Gee gosh , I hope coach puts me on the second line so I get less ice time and worse line mates so I can rack up the points !” Show me where a first line player ever did better on the second line , I’ll wait. I mean, Malkin himself does VASTLY better on the first line time and time again. It’s actually astonishing he could win an art Ross on the second line with Fedotenko and Talbot.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Show me the era adjusted points being higher than Malkin please.

And no obviously I know he’s more than PPG. It just took a way easier scoring era to get him there , that’s all

Also the easier matchups theory? Give me a break. What first line player ever gets demoted to second line and produces more? “Gee gosh , I hope coach puts me on the second line so I get less ice time and worse line mates so I can rack up the points !” Show me where a first line player ever did better on the second line , I’ll wait. I mean, Malkin himself does VASTLY better on the first line time and time again. It’s actually astonishing he could win an art Ross on the second line with Fedotenko and Talbot.

Malkin never played second line minutes. Check the ATOI.

 

[KareemTrustfund]

Malkin never played second line minutes. Check the ATOI.

Alright then, don’t address anything else I said

Anyway I checked for you - . Kucherov is 1.16 and Malkin was 1.15. Unfortunate for Kuch is he doesn’t have those early good seasons to prop those numbers up when he hits his twilight years. I don’t think that’ll stick at the end of the day. When he hasn’t left his prime you want that number more impressive than that where later it’ll drop . This isn’t making the argument you think it is. In fact it’s just backing up mine