Two all time great centers, but between these two, who is the greater player? I feel this is an interesting player vs player comparison.
Biased Islander fan voting Trottier. Best forward on arguably the best dynasty in history (yes he was better than Bossy), one of the best defensive forwards who was capable of winning the Art Ross, 6 cups, similar individual hardware.
The tricky part is quantifying how much playing in the 80's and playing on such a stacked team, on a line with arguably the best shooter of all time, impacted Trottier's offensive production. Because Trottier certainly had the edge defensively over Malkin, but was Malkin superior offensively when you take those things into account?
Malkin | Trottier | |
Art Rosses | 2 | 1 |
Hart Trophies | 1 | 1 |
Pearsons/Lindseys | 1 | 0 |
Conn Smythes | 1 | 1 |
Calder Trophy | 1 | 1 |
1st All Star Team | 3 | 2 |
Stanley Cups | 3 | 6 |
Total: | 12 | 12 |
Malkin | Trottier | |
Top 3 goal finishes | 1 | 0 |
Top 10 goal finishes | 3 | 3 |
Top 3 assists finishes | 2 | 2 |
Top 10 assists finishes | 4 | 8 |
Top 3 point finishes | 3 | 2 |
Top 10 point finishes | 4 | 6 |
Top 10 PPG seasons | 10 | 6 |
Total | 27 | 27 |
That's an interesting comparison. Peak could go either way honestly, both strong.
Prime probably edge to Trottier, with better health and more full seasons, and hence the better resume.
But Trottier had a pretty steep decline. Malkin at age 33 was on pace for 110 points in a full season last year. At age 33, Trottier paced for 33 points in a full season.
I'd probably give Trottier the edge all-time as of today - but I could see that changing by the time Malkin retires.
Trottier absolutely was a major force both ways. Ahead of his time, think Yzerman when he became a "complete" player.Biased Islander fan voting Trottier. Best forward on arguably the best dynasty in history (yes he was better than Bossy), one of the best defensive forwards who was capable of winning the Art Ross, 6 cups, similar individual hardware.
The thing about giving kudos to Malkin for being "better" offensively is that offence is all he cares about most/virtually all of the time. Trottier is a guy who would worry more about team results.
Hockey is a team game.
Malkin has been asked to play that role on his team. He's not really an issue defensively when it has mattered.
There's a difference between not being an issue defensively an being one of the best defensive forwards.
Was the Selke not around in 1981?
He was too good offensively to be considered a defensive forward.Was the Selke not around in 1981?
It was but people voted on it very differently than they do today. Today votes are predominately for the best two-way forward rather than what it's designed to be (the best defensive forward).
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It's why in 81 of the top 5 vote getters the highest scorer was 31st in the league and none of the other 4 were 99th or lower in scoring. In 2020 just one player was out of the top 100 in scoring and the other 4 were 50th or better.
If you're really trying to argue that Malkin is Trottier's peer defensively...I really don't know how you could do so tbh.
I'm not. I just think saying Malkin is offensive only is the kind of stupid narrative that gets him off the Top 100. Malkin and Trottier through their careers at their ages are pretty similar in terms of their impacts.
Malkin also is still an elite center in the league versus what Trottier was when he was 33. Not to discount what Trottier brought to those Pens squads following that season.
Completely agree then and for the record I'd have both Malkin and Trottier top 100 all time. I don't think Malkin is bad defensively or anything just saying at his peak he wasn't as good defensively as Trottier in his. Malkin has aged better, like many of his peers compared to Trottier's, and Trottier on Pittsburgh clearly wasn't elite anymore (he still did contribute to the team, mainly leadership and experience). During Trottier's peak and prime though he's around the same level as Malkin: one of the best in the league and at times the best.
Malkin has been asked to play that role on his team. He's not really an issue defensively when it has mattered.