Better top 6 by natural position: Canada vs. Russia

[Balance]

Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Kucherov
Panarin-Malkin-Radulov

vs

Marchand-McDavid-Marner
Hall-Crosby-Stone

Click to read more...

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

Ovechkin > Marchand
Kuznetsov < McDavid
Kucherov > Marner

Panarin = Hall
Malkin = Crosby
Radulov < Stone

Russia but it's close.

 

[Mrb1p]

McDs and Sid are just too good here landslide.

 

[Deadly Dogma]

this is Russia, but remember Canada has to play centers on the wing
McDavid-Mack-Marner
Monohan/Tavares-Crosby-Point
McDavid would have to play the left side since he is the only lefty on that line.
On the 2nd line flip a coin between Monohan and J.T since they both would do the same role.

 

[Raging Bull]

this is Russia, but remember Canada has to play centers on the wing
.

I think that's the whole point of the thread, they can only play their natural positions. I.E. no Crosby/McDavid/Scheifle on wings.

 

[LuckyBoeser]

I will take Canada top 6

 

[Advanced stats]

Ovechkin > Marchand
Kuznetsov < McDavid
Kucherov > Marner

Panarin = Hall
Malkin = Crosby
Radulov < Stone

Russia but it's close.

Hall is much better than Panarin

 

[daver]

Ovechkin > Marchand
Kuznetsov < McDavid
Kucherov > Marner

Panarin = Hall
Malkin = Crosby
Radulov < Stone

Russia but it's close.

How does Malkin = Crosby but OV > Marchand?

 

[Balance]

How does Malkin = Crosby but OV > Marchand?

Lmao are you serious

On what planet is Marchand even half as good as Ovechkin?

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

How does Malkin = Crosby but OV > Marchand?

Common sense.

 

[Halla]

Hall+Stone are way ahead of Panarin+Radulov imho

 

[Smeagoal]

Hall+Stone are way ahead of Panarin+Radulov imho

Eh.. I'd put Hall/Panarin/Stone in similar tiers and Radulov just a little below them.

Still would take Canada just based on McDavid/Crosby.

 

[moropanov]

Canada ainec Kucherov is only Russian that would make Canada's team from Russian roster atm

 

[um]

Ovechkin>Marchand
Kuznetsov<McDavid
Kucherov>Marner

Panarin<Hall
Malkin<Crosby
Radulov<Stone

Very close but I give the slight edge to Canada

 

[Regal]

Lmao are you serious

On what planet is Marchand even half as good as Ovechkin?

I wouldn't put him above him, but his statline stands up well the past 3 years:

Marchand: 188 GP, 88 G, 126 A, 214 PTS
Ovechkin: 204 GP, 112 G, 90 A, 202 PTS

Over 82 that's:

Marchand: 38 G, 55 A, 93 PTS
Ovechkin: 45 G, 36 A, 81 PTS

The issue to me is that '17 was a negative outlier for Ovechkin and last year looks like a positive outlier for Marchand, but Marchand has been extremely productive in recent years.

 

[Regal]

Since Kucherov and McDavid are the best players here I think it makes sense to compare them, then compare Kuznetsov and Marner. If that's the case I think Canada has the slight edge in every comparison except Ovechkin-Marchand, so I would pick them.

Close though, and I like Russia's chemistry potential better. In particular, I don't know if McDavid and Marner would make good linemates.

 

[Hint1k]

If those are top 6 forwards - obviously Russia.

I am too lazy to check but I would not be surprise if Ovechkin alone scored more goals than all Canadien wingers combined.

 

[JoVel]

Canada's centers are better, Russia's first line wingers are better while Canada's second line are better. I'll give it to Canada.

 

[Capt Canada]

Russia is insanely talented, but Canada is still the best! Putin will have to nuke us off the planet for that to change!

 

[Randyne]

If Kuznetsov and Malkin turn on playoff beast mode it's Russia

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Ovechkin>Marchand
Kucherov>Marner
Panarin>Hall
Malkin=Crosby
Radulov<<Stone

Kuznetsov<<<<<<<McDavid

Canadians

 

[Uncle Rotter]

For all those saying Malkin=Crosby, not this season. Sid's blown right past him since the start of November.

 

[Adele Dazeem]

It will always be Canada.

 

[shelf]

The U.S. has a pretty good natural position top 6 too.
Gaudreau-Matthews-Kane
Tkachuk-Eichel-Wheeler

 

[Plural]

McDs and Sid are just too good here landslide.

I'm not sure if I even disagree, but is Geno really that much worse than Sid?