Do you see Kucherov having an argument for best Russian player of all time?

[Iggys Dome]

Since his breakout season in 2014-2015, Kucherov is:

• 6th in goals (only Russian player ahead of him is Ovechkin).
• 9th in assists
• 4th in points
• 3rd in Points Per Game.
• 3 time NHL All-Star.
• Art Ross, Ted Lindsay and Hart Trophy.
• Stanley Cup Champion
• First in Playoff points by a wide margin.
• 4th in Playoff P/PG despite playing much, much more playoff games than his competition.

And it seems he's still going, and could still go for the foreseeable future. Of course, he's only ~500 games into his career, but could he have a case once it's all said and done?

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[Iggys Dome]

Added poll.

 

[The Macho King]

Fetisov, Makarov, Tretiak, and Ovi are hard to top.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Has an argument for second behind Ovechkin

 

[Dingo]

i think not, but is he ever making a push for it. he is def entering into best of the best territory, regardless of nationaility.

 

[User9992]

No. Kharlamov & Makarov are miles ahead.

Not sure he is better than Fetisov, Ovi, Malkin or Fedorov too.

 

[Brucelenok]

Career wise, I think he probably will pass all but Ovechkin and Fetisov.

 

[Thenameless]

It'll be hard to catch a guy that has a legitimate shot at Gretzky's all time goals record.

 

[User9992]

It'll be hard to catch a guy that has a legitimate shot at Gretzky's all time goals record.

Ovi isn't best russian player. That's Kharlamov & Makarov. But they never played in NHL. In Makarov's case he entered the league already way past his prime.

 

[Krewe]

It's Ovi.

I think he will go down with the best argument for second though when it is all said and done

 

[topshelf15]

Man there have been some elite guys from Russia,Kuch is one of them for sure...Unsure if he is the best just yet but its fun watching him

 

[Thenameless]

Ovi isn't best russian player. That's Kharlamov & Makarov. But they never played in NHL. In Makarov's case he entered the league already way past his prime.

I agree that Kharlamov and Makarov are better all around offensive threats than Ovechkin.

Those two were certainly better at other aspects of hockey, but when it comes to goal scoring, they wouldn't be able to touch Gretzky or Ovechkin.

And don't forget that young Ovechkin is a very physically imposing player unlike Kharlamov and Makarov. His game is more tailored to the NHL, which after all, is the best hockey league in the world.

 

[DFC]

Maybe in the playoffs.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Kuckerov subbed in at the last minute

 

[Koivu11]

He’s a damn good player but he’s not going to surpass Ovechkin.

 

[Habano]

No. He's gonna have a tough time passing Mogilny, Fedorov and even Bure's numbers. They're not even the best, Ovi is the king.

 

[Albatros]

I agree that Kharlamov and Makarov are better all around offensive threats than Ovechkin.

Those two were certainly better at other aspects of hockey, but when it comes to goal scoring, they wouldn't be able to touch Gretzky or Ovechkin.

And don't forget that young Ovechkin is a very physically imposing player unlike Kharlamov and Makarov. His game is more tailored to the NHL, which after all, is the best hockey league in the world.

Soviet teams had a winning record against NHL sides back when Makarov and others played, I suppose their game was tailored enough.

 

[Boreal01]

Best Russian NHL player? I'd say he has a chance although surpassing Ovechkin will be no easy feat and I'd also argue he still hasn't surpassed Bure

Best Russian player of all time? Even more unlikely

 

[Regal]

Hard to compare guys who didn't play in the NHL or came over late in their careers, but I don't think he has much chance of passing Ovechkin. He could maybe pass Malkin and Fedorov.

 

[Lauro]

Can't see him getting past Ovechkin, certainly not Makarov/Kharlamov/Fetisov.

 

[Love]

He will never be considered greater than Ovechkin even if he were to have a good enough career to justify it. Ovechkin’s rocket wins and goal totals are just too legendary.

But on an somewhat unrelated note, I don’t see why Kucherov shouldn’t be considered just as good or possibly better than Patrick Kane when it’s all said and done. There’s really nothing Kane has done that Kucherov hasn’t, and Kucherov has more of his career left to add to the resume.

 

[lawrence]

Ovi.

 

[geoo9]

Dont think Kuch can ever beat that Ovie is one of living legens of this game

 

[jetsforever]

No, but anything's possible in hockey I guess

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

In terms of NHLers, he won't pass OV. He has a chance to finish 2nd though, partly due to Malkin's injuries.