Nikita Kucherov vs. Evgeni Malkin

[MrOT]

This reminds me of the Forsberg - MacKinnon comparisons, Forsberg always wins. Mac is getting closer by the minute though, as is Kuch to Malkin, but right now it's Malkin hands down.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

This question was answered when the difference in line mates was brought up.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

It's not like Malkin provides much in terms of defensive play

Perhaps not older Malkin, but at his peak Malkin had pretty good defensive metrics, and was definitely better defensively than Kucherov. On top of that, peak Malkin played with a physical edge that Kucherov simply lacks. So yes, there was more to (peak) Malkin’s game than simply points.

 

[Hockeyholic]

Because people have eyes. Kucherov plays with great support around him at all times when he's in the ice (usually multiple future HOFers), which allows him to play his preferred style of defense: cherrypicking. Malkin was a dominant force offensively that didn't need a certain playing style or linemates to be effective: he was the offense. We have only seen 4 players at that level in the last 20 years: 87, 8, 71, and 97.

/thread

Malkin has done more with less

 

[Kshahdoo]

It still impresses that players like Malkin or McDavid have infinitely better hockey tools than Kucherov, and Nikita is still pretty close to them as a player...

That's what great hockey IQ means.

But yeah, Geno had the best playoff run since Gretzky and Mario playing with 3rd-4th liners. Not sure how effective Kuch would be having Maxime Talbot and not Point or Stamkos as his linemate.

Maxime Talbot - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Maxime Talbot, 1984-02-11 Lemoyne, QC, CAN Canada. Most recently in the undefined with Avangard Omsk. Complete player biography and stats.

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[Sun God Nika]

This is wild. Don't know if it is the nostalgia factor or something support Malkin here. Kucherov is easily having a better overall career and is the better player. Malkin stood out a lil more because there were less elite offensive players in the league during his golden years.

 

[Kshahdoo]

This is wild. Don't know if it is the nostalgia factor or something support Malkin here. Kucherov is easily having a better overall career and is the better player. Malkin stood out a lil more because there were less elite offensive players in the league during his golden years.

Yeah he was competing vs such suckers like prime Crosby and Ovechkin for the title of the most impressive player. And don't forget other AHL level players like Datsyuk, Kovalchuk and Kane...

 

[Mitch nylander]

If Kucherov gets another Ross, and Hart. This gets really interesting.

 

[Sky04]

Kucherov plays against top dmen while Malkin sat behind Crosby. Also, outscoring prime McDavid soon to be twice is more impressive than topping Crosby.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Kucherov plays against top dmen while Malkin sat behind Crosby. Also, outscoring prime McDavid soon to be twice is more impressive than topping Crosby.

You mean toping Crosby AND Ovechkin at their best?

 

[Sky04]

You mean toping Crosby AND Ovechkin at their best?

Mcdavid is a far better point producer than both of them, he has more Art Ross titles than both combined.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Mcdavid is a far better point producer than both of them, he has more Art Ross titles than both combined.

Far better? Do you know that Crosby had 120 point season at age 19?

 

[Regal]

Kucherov plays against top dmen while Malkin sat behind Crosby. Also, outscoring prime McDavid soon to be twice is more impressive than topping Crosby.

The top dmen argument has never been very good. Teammates are way more important than competition when it comes to the elite superstars, and Malkin produced better when Crosby was out, because he then got the best wingers.

 

[Makar Oni 4 formaggi]

Even in minority, it is Kucherov, who is the clearly better player since 2000, especially in postseason.
(I would also add, that it was a mistake by Pens, not to trade Malkin 2-3 years ago)

 

[Video Nasty]

Far better? Do you know that Crosby had 120 point season at age 19?

How many did he win post 19?

 

[Kshahdoo]

How many did he win post 19?

3 cups?

 

[Video Nasty]

3 cups?

“The thing about a diversion is that it has to be diverting.”

 

[Sky04]

Far better? Do you know that Crosby had 120 point season at age 19?

And how many times did he top that? Crosby statistically having his best season at 19 while Malkin was only a rookie actually works against your argument genius.

 

[CokenoPepsi]

Even in minority, it is Kucherov, who is the clearly better player since 2000, especially in postseason.
(I would also add, that it was a mistake by Pens, not to trade Malkin 2-3 years ago)

Kucherov doesn't even have a Conn Smythe and his performances outside the COVID bubbles are fine but not other worldly

 

[Sky04]

Kucherov doesn't even have a Conn Smythe and his performances outside the COVID bubbles are fine but not other worldly

He'll likely finish in top-5 all time in playoff scoring, "not other worldly" lmao Malkin is 7 years older and only has 20 more playoff points and judging by his team, isn't likely to add anymore to that.

 

[CokenoPepsi]

He'll likely finish in top-5 all time in playoff scoring, "not other worldly" lmao Malkin is 7 years older and only has 20 more playoff points and judging by his team, isn't likely to add anymore to that.

COVID playoffs and the fact he couldn't get it done outside of them hurt.

Sort of like Jagr, sure he compiled some numbers but you would never think of him as an all time playoff great.

 

[Sky04]

COVID playoffs and the fact he couldn't get it done outside of them hurt.

Sort of like Jagr, sure he compiled some numbers but you would never think of him as an all time playoff great.

Malkin is under PPG in the playoffs outside 2009. Ouch.

Kucherov is regarded as one of the best playoff performers in the league but don't let your narrative confuse you.

 

[CokenoPepsi]

Malkin is under PPG in the playoffs outside 2009. Ouch.

Kucherov is regarded as one of the best playoff performers in the league but don't let your narrative confuse you.

Yet Kucherov still not good enough to win a Conn Smythe..

Also wouldn't be too sure about Kucherov moving up to top 5 there with the Lightning looking like to be a fringe playoff team for the next half decade or so.

 

[Sky04]

Yet Kucherov still not good enough to win a Conn Smythe..

Also wouldn't be too sure about Kucherov moving up to top 5 there with the Lightning looking like to be a fringe playoff team for the next half decade or so.

Neither has McDavid, not better than Malkin either right?

Nice logic genius.

 

[CokenoPepsi]

Neither has McDavid, not better than Malkin either right?

Nice logic genius.

McDavid has literally 5 art ross trophies and 3 Harts and could very well add to those totals this year

There comes a point where the gap is just too wide