What? I'm sorry but not even close. Klef is already miles ahead and, I suspect, will stay that way for their careers.
I actually think Marincin has regressed some this year compared to end of season last year. Klef, on the other hand, has greatly improved. Having said that, there was a notable drop in play the last month or so but I suspect that was being over-worked for lack of better options.
First off. I generally use a combination of my eyes and stats to rate how a player is doing. I don't really have favorites. I see very simply when a player is playing well or playing bad. I am unbiased.
As an example of that, I agree. Marincin has regressed from last year. Heck, even from the start of this year Marincin has fallen off a bit. Has had weak moments and strong moments (loved him against Getz/Perry). But his regression has been minor, with few glaring errors and actually a tiny bit of improvement offensively as the season has gone on.
Now, you mention a drop in play for Klefbom right after saying has greatly improved... Which is it?
Klefbom started slow, got really good, and fell flat on his face. He has been a dogs breakfast for a very extended period of time. Worse than Schultz in his last stint of at least 20 or so games. I am not sure if you stopped watching during that period or just ignored his putrid positioning, his tape to tape giveaways, or how he gets beat wide like Brad Hunt at times. Glaring, omfg did he just do that moments. Bad pinches, bad reads, bad... damn near everything...
at times.
Good Klefbom versus bad Klefbom is night and day and unless you have been under a rock bad Klefbom has been here for the majority of the last 20 games of this season.
How can anyone ignore that stretch of hockey? There are many good reasons for that. He is a rookie, he is being over played, his quality of competition is going up (still not Marincins level) but tougher opposition than he was when he was succeeding. The loss of Petry hurt everyone.
I can say Klefbom at his best looks MUCH better offensively than Marincin, but also no where near as good defensively as Marincin. But for me, watching Klefbom run around like a chicken with his head cut off the last month or two has plummeted his overall season play by a lot.
I know some people don't like plus minus but is a nice simple stat to show the teams GA effectiveness with a player on the ice.
Klefbom is minus 21 facing weaker opposition than Marincin, who despite being a rookie as well is only minus 4.
Only minus 4 playing on this team with these goaltenders against the best of the wests best players...
It really comes down to preference. But Klefbom leaks more goals against than he creates at an alarming rate. Marincin creates a lot less offense but also gives up a ton fewer goals against.
Both need to be much better before I give either a green light towards a playoff picture but I don't know how you can say Klefbom is "miles ahead in that regard". When he is clearly miles behind Marincin defensively.
We are still desperately seeking a defenseman that can generate offense AND keep the puck from finding its way to the back of the net and Marincin is ever so slightly closer to that than Klefbom overall and most certainly right now.