Barely though (so far), and that's largely balanced by games missed. A lot of players of that era also aged out early, so it's worth considering if there was something going on beyond ability. Trotgier did play a ton of hockey at an early age
Evgeni Malkin vs Bryan Trottier
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Barely though (so far), and that's largely balanced by games missed. A lot of players of that era also aged out early, so it's worth considering if there was something going on beyond ability. Trotgier did play a ton of hockey at an early age
Malkin because of his post 30 resume. He’s been a top 10 player basically his entire career.
It indicates the talent level was historically poor in the 80s if some of its best players like Trottier aged out so quickly
Iapyi
Registered User
No it doesn't. The game was different at that time. Very few players played the non-contact one-dimensional style we see so much of now.
BraveCanadian
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Trottier.. not particularly close either.
During his prime he was the best all around center the league has ever seen imo.
Don't agree with this in Trottier's case at all.
It is true that the group of players with 1950s birthdates appeared to drop off quickly and be supplanted in the mid 80s (I think in large part due to the change to a short-shift game). However, in #19's case, he had some pretty bad injuries pile up and a ton of mileage on him. He was a very physical player who at one point played 20 consecutive NHL playoff series, after all.
During his prime he was the best all around center the league has ever seen imo.
Don't agree with this in Trottier's case at all.
It is true that the group of players with 1950s birthdates appeared to drop off quickly and be supplanted in the mid 80s (I think in large part due to the change to a short-shift game). However, in #19's case, he had some pretty bad injuries pile up and a ton of mileage on him. He was a very physical player who at one point played 20 consecutive NHL playoff series, after all.
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One thing that complicates a comparison is that you're talking about 22 years between each players 'peak'. In terms of the 'years gap' between peaks, this isn't comparing Malkin to peak Thornton or peak Lindros or peak Yzerman.
That said, voted Malkin because we're talking 'peak', and 'peak Malkin' was, as Keith Jones so eloquently put it, 'shades of Mario'.
have you actually looked at Malkins stats past 30? Your post is factually wrong.
Gurglesons
Registered User
I feel like you guys misunderstood my post.
What Malkin has done post 30 is great - I don't disagree.
I'm saying prior to 30 - he missed so much time to injuries', that he was already behind Trottier. Those seasons past 30 are helping to bridge the gap with Trottier, that's all
what did Trottier do that separates himself from Malkin? I know he played during the same era as Gretzky so his individual accomplishments are limited, but its still not blowing Malkin away.
HFBS
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Think you're getting carried away.
Gurglesons
Registered User
Malkin
Top five point finishes
1,1,2,4
Top five point per game finishes
1,2,2,3,3,3,4
Awards:
Ross, Ross, Hart, Pearson, Smythe, Calder, Lindsay
Trottier
Top five point finishes
1,2,5
Tove five point per game finishes
1,2,4,5
Awards:
Ross, Hart, Smythe, Calder
Malkin did everything Trottier did and more at 33 besides win two extra games in a cup final.
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BraveCanadian
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No, he didn't. Comparing awards and offense only with a complete player like Trottier is only taking into account 1/3 of his game. Top 5 cut off and on pace stats flatter Malkin. Who has more top 10 actual seasons?
Not to mention Trottier was competing against dynasty Lafleur and Gretzky (and Bossy on his own team for that matter) for awards.
I imagine the Isles also did a lot of vote splitting with thier big 3 being in their primes at the same time. Malkin does that with Crosby but has had the benefit of Crosby's lengthy absences at times as well in that regard.
No, I'm really not. Trottier is the prototypical all around #1 center.
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Gurglesons
Registered User
It’s 4 to 6 Malkin to Trottier if you include top ten points.
It’s 10 to 6 Malkin you Trottier if you got top ten PPG.
Malkin and Trottier were both the best or second best forward on their team in multiple cup runs. Not sure I buy the argument that Trottier’s defense outweighed the impact of Malkin’s sustained dominance against his peers.
I’m fine with you saying Trottier was better, but discrediting Malkin as being in the same breath despite the defensive difference is a little ridiculous IMO.
Malkin took out Crosby and Ovechkin in their prime for a Ross. Trottier got toasted in the points race once the merge happened in 79-80. I guess you could make the argument that he was focused on championships at that point. But it isn’t like Malkin didn’t dominate the field when healthy in both post season and regular season after his early career championship.
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Intangir
Registered User
Trottier and every single NHLer not named Wayne Gretzky got toasted in regards to points from 79-80 to close to 1990.
Malkin would have gotten significantly outscored by the Great One too.
Gurglesons
Registered User
I would gladly honor this view point if Trottier wasn’t regularly getting outscored and out paced by the 2nd and 3rd best players on the triple crown line during his prime.
The Macho King
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Trottier had more than a cursory awareness of where the defensive zone was.
There were a crap ton of offense only non-contact players in the 80s, the greatest player of them all was one himself. Most players may have played physical but most players were not great defensively. Todays players are by far more skilled and well rounded, so that's just an absurd opinion to be honest.
Trottier, and not particularly close? That's hilarious.
