Panarin/Kucherov vs Matthews/Eichel

[Kshahdoo]

Let's say you have a choice to draft a winger, who is projected to be on Panarin/Kucherov level or a center, who's projected to be on Matthews/Eichel level. What will you choose?

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[Conspiracy Theorist]

Winger cause Rangers/Tampa are in better shape than Buffalo/Toronto

 

[34]

Obviously the big #1 C

 

[McDavidCrushedLarkin]

Gotta go with best players available, which in these cases are the wingers.

 

[Brucelenok]

In this case Russians pretty comfortably

 

[ijuka]

Not sure if people are missing the point of the poll or something, but the idea isn't to compare the wingers to the centers, it's to pick between prospects. And an elite C prospect definitely is more valuable.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Not sure if people are missing the point of the poll or something, but the idea isn't to compare the wingers to the centers, it's to pick between prospects. And an elite C prospect definitely is more valuable.

Yeah, but if a winger looks like a little bit more elite, than a center?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Current ability:

Eichel
Panarin
Matthews
Kucherov

Value:

Eichel
Matthews
Panarin
Kucherov

Edge to the American centers over the Russian wingers.

 

[Sky04]

Current ability:

Eichel
Panarin
Matthews
Kucherov

Value:

Eichel
Matthews
Panarin
Kucherov

Edge to the American centers over the Russian wingers.

Oh yes, current ability has the 2 x 100 point scorer below guys who haven't cracked 90

 

[Krewe]

This is tough. I think the wingers are on average better players, but the centers are definitely the more important position, and also started their careers better (Panarin was in the KHL and Kuch took until D+4 to be a top player). Decided to break down how I see their abilities in various categories.

Here's how I would evaluate them in a few ways:

Goalscoring (don't think there is too much debate here):
Matthews
Kucherov
Eichel
Panarin

Playmaking:
Kucherov
Eichel / Panarin (both are good, I lean Panarin but I also watch Eichel the least of any players here)
Matthews (He ain't paid to pass, especially when those passes would be to worse shooters)

Defense (debated a lot here.... Matthews has been awesome this year but isn't as proven as Panarin, went with the center):
Matthews
Panarin
Eichel / Kuch (Lean Eichel, but Kuch has been good this year and in some of his early seasons)

Physicality:
lol none of them, Kuch plays gritty but is small, Matthews is a tank but doesn't play like it. Would prob go Panarin here

Contract Value:
Eichel
Kucherov
Matthews (might get flamed for this)
Panarin

Overall value (IMO):
Kucherov
Matthews
Panarin
Eichel

for that last rank, I tried to ignore ages a bit, and look at the value they have provided so far and what they are projected to provide in the future. Kuch has by far provided the most value to date, but Matthews I see as providing the most value going forward due to age

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

Kucherov and Panarin are better than Eichel and Matthews.

 

[AvroArrow]

C > W

 

[Fugazy]

Give me the wingers.

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Yeah, but if a winger looks like a little bit more elite, than a center?

Panarin and Kucherov make average centers look good. Matthews and Eichel can thrive on their own but don't elevate their linemates or team.

 

[GOALOFSSON]

Panarin and Kucherov make average centers look good. Matthews and Eichel can thrive on their own but don't elevate their linemates or team.

Cool story bro

 

[valet]

I'd take the young elite centers any day. My personal order would be:

Eichel
Kuch
Matthews/Panarin

 

[Voight]

Winger cause Rangers/Tampa are in better shape than Buffalo/Toronto

Imagine thinking Panarin/Kakko/Strome/Zibanejad/DeAngelo/Trouba >>>>> Matthews/Tavares/Marner/Nylander/Rielly/Muzzin

 

[Orange Fanta]

Eichel back to being underrated it seems

 

[Krewe]

Eichel back to being underrated it seems

uhhhh, how? He's in a post with players that are all top 10 forwards in the league if not top 5. In what world is comparing him to them being "underrated"

 

[authentic]

Right now, very, very close. I think I would say Panarin is slightly better than Eichel and same with Kucherov over Matthews.

 

[Orange Fanta]

uhhhh, how? He's in a post with players that are all top 10 forwards in the league if not top 5. In what world is comparing him to them being "underrated"

Someone said he doesn't elevate the players around him that's a bad take

 

[SA16]

The best player...regardless of position.

 

[Maplebeasts]

If it's a Kucherov level winger, them. If it's Panarin give me the center. I would be amazed if Eichel or Matthews ever put up a peak season like Kuch last year but I'm sure they'll both be able to match what Panarin is doing now in the very near future. Eichel is doing amazingly basically with no help and Matthews is pacing for just under 100 points but mid to high 50's in goals.

 

[ViD]

At this point Kucherov is by far the best of these 4

 

[alexgreeen]

Kucherov
Panarin
Eichel
Matthews