Who is the 2nd best player currently?

[Varan]

Kucherov pretty easily

But since he isnt a center we continue to pretend he is behind MacKinnon and maybe crosby, draisaitl as well.

Past 3 years regular season + playoffs combined he is the best player in the NHL

MacKinnon is getting severely overrated for someone who hasn't won a thing in the last 3 years. It's annoying watching Kucherov get disrespected. TSN had him at #7 like a month ago

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Mcdavid

 

[WetcoastOrca]

I’d add Eichel over a few of these guys. For example, Matthews and Eichel at this point are at best equal.

 

[authentic]

Why isn’t Eichel an option?

He’s quite clearly better than half those players, and I’m probably voting for him if this said third best player in the league.

He's not clearly better than anyone on this list, but yes he has a good argument for top 10 especially going forward.

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

Their entire careers have overlapped
Kucherov: 547pts in 515 GP = 1.06 PPG
MacK: 495pts in 525 GP = 0.94 PPG

Since Mack's breakout in 17/18
Kucherov: 313pts in 230 GP = 1.36 PPG
MacK: 289pts in 225 GP = 1.28 PPG

Top 10 goals: 3-3
2,6,9 vs 6,9,9

Top 10 pts: 4-3, Kucherov
1,3,5,7 vs 5,5,7

Top 10 hart: 3-3
1,6,8 vs 2,2,6

AST: 4-2, Kucherov
1,1,2,2 vs 2,2

Kucherov has better goal finishes, better (and more) pt finishes and he actually has individual hardware, unlike MacK who has never been within single digits of a ross. Kucherov also just had the 2nd highest scoring playoff run in the last 25 years. So better finishes in everything, way better peak season, best playoff run, actually has individual hardware and a cup but MacK is better. Makes sense considering how overrated he's become.

 

[Sean Garrity]

Kucherov pretty easily

But since he isnt a center we continue to pretend he is behind MacKinnon and maybe crosby, draisaitl as well.

Past 3 years regular season + playoffs combined he is the best player in the NHL

I agree due to his consistency, playoff performance(s), and awards won. However, I can see the argument for Mac, Crosby, or Drai and they would round out my top 5 with McDavid.

 

[Sean Garrity]

Their entire careers have overlapped
Kucherov: 547pts in 515 GP = 1.06 PPG
MacK: 495pts in 525 GP = 0.94 PPG

Since Mack's breakout in 17/18
Kucherov: 313pts in 230 GP = 1.36 PPG
MacK: 289pts in 225 GP = 1.28 PPG

Top 10 goals: 3-3
2,6,9 vs 6,9,9

Top 10 pts: 4-3, Kucherov
1,3,5,7 vs 5,5,7

Top 10 hart: 3-3
1,6,8 vs 2,2,6

AST: 4-2, Kucherov
1,1,2,2 vs 2,2

Kucherov has better goal finishes, better (and more) pt finishes and he actually has individual hardware, unlike MacK who has never been within single digits of a ross. Kucherov also just had the 2nd highest scoring playoff run in the last 25 years. So better finishes in everything, way better peak season, best playoff run, actually has individual hardware and a cup but MacK is better. Makes sense considering how overrated he's become.

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but it appears that finishing first in things matters (who would've known!?!?). Huh, like winning a Hart, Art Ross, Lindsey, and Stanley Cup all within the past three years. I find it interesting that actually winning things doesn't really count in these discussions...in before the "hockey is a team game" argument. Kucherov is #2, I concur.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Their entire careers have overlapped
Kucherov: 547pts in 515 GP = 1.06 PPG
MacK: 495pts in 525 GP = 0.94 PPG

Since Mack's breakout in 17/18
Kucherov: 313pts in 230 GP = 1.36 PPG
MacK: 289pts in 225 GP = 1.28 PPG

Top 10 goals: 3-3
2,6,9 vs 6,9,9

Top 10 pts: 4-3, Kucherov
1,3,5,7 vs 5,5,7

Top 10 hart: 3-3
1,6,8 vs 2,2,6

AST: 4-2, Kucherov
1,1,2,2 vs 2,2

Kucherov has better goal finishes, better (and more) pt finishes and he actually has individual hardware, unlike MacK who has never been within single digits of a ross. Kucherov also just had the 2nd highest scoring playoff run in the last 25 years. So better finishes in everything, way better peak season, best playoff run, actually has individual hardware and a cup but MacK is better. Makes sense considering how overrated he's become.

Stop using top 10 in hart. Anything passed 5th is irrelevant as u can be 8th with like 2 votes

 

[Sean Garrity]

Mcdavid

Stop using top 10 in hart. Anything passed 5th is irrelevant as u can be 8th with like 2 votes

I agree with the latter. As for the former, who is #1 and then who did you vote for as #2 as McDavid wasn't an option?

 

[The Moose is Loose]

MacKinnon with Draisaitl 3rd

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

I agree with the latter. As for the former, who is #1 and then who did you vote for as #2 as McDavid wasn't an option?

I prefer MacKinnon

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Top 3 are MacK McDavid and Kucherov in whichever order

 

[Sean Garrity]

I prefer MacKinnon

Top 3 are MacK McDavid and Kucherov in whichever order

Fair points, why Mack first?

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Fair points, why Mack first?

Like his style

 

[Sean Garrity]

Like his style

Good talk.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Good talk.

I feel his style is built for the playoffs and he has a gear that McDavid might not. Kucherov is already playoff proven but it does help when your on Tampa

 

[Bounces R Way]

It's Nikita Kucherov and it bothers me that there's people that think it isn't.

 

[teravaineSAROS]

Do Tampa fans think Kucherov is better than Hedman? I know people have said losing Hedman hurts the team more but that's obviously because Tampa has a lot of great forwards.

 

[Esko6]

Draisaitl is better than McDavid AINEC

I know you are trolling, but people tend to remember these.

 

[keglu]

Their entire careers have overlapped
Kucherov: 547pts in 515 GP = 1.06 PPG
MacK: 495pts in 525 GP = 0.94 PPG

Since Mack's breakout in 17/18
Kucherov: 313pts in 230 GP = 1.36 PPG
MacK: 289pts in 225 GP = 1.28 PPG

Top 10 goals: 3-3
2,6,9 vs 6,9,9

Top 10 pts: 4-3, Kucherov
1,3,5,7 vs 5,5,7

Top 10 hart: 3-3
1,6,8 vs 2,2,6

AST: 4-2, Kucherov
1,1,2,2 vs 2,2

Kucherov has better goal finishes, better (and more) pt finishes and he actually has individual hardware, unlike MacK who has never been within single digits of a ross. Kucherov also just had the 2nd highest scoring playoff run in the last 25 years. So better finishes in everything, way better peak season, best playoff run, actually has individual hardware and a cup but MacK is better. Makes sense considering how overrated he's become.

On other hand Mackinnon was better 2 of last 3 seasons and Kucherov in his '2 highest scoring playoff run in last 25 years' was probably 3rd best players on his own team.
Just for little perspective.

 

[jetsforever]

I guess it's probably MacKinnon by now. He's not a clear-cut favourite though.

 

[bobholly39]

why isn't McDavid an option?

Because if you did a poll for who #1 player is he'd win in an absolute landslide. Even if you don't personally agree - just makes sense to talk about #2 instead and assume McDavid is #1

 

[bobholly39]

Their entire careers have overlapped
Kucherov: 547pts in 515 GP = 1.06 PPG
MacK: 495pts in 525 GP = 0.94 PPG

Since Mack's breakout in 17/18
Kucherov: 313pts in 230 GP = 1.36 PPG
MacK: 289pts in 225 GP = 1.28 PPG

Top 10 goals: 3-3
2,6,9 vs 6,9,9

Top 10 pts: 4-3, Kucherov
1,3,5,7 vs 5,5,7

Top 10 hart: 3-3
1,6,8 vs 2,2,6

AST: 4-2, Kucherov
1,1,2,2 vs 2,2

Kucherov has better goal finishes, better (and more) pt finishes and he actually has individual hardware, unlike MacK who has never been within single digits of a ross. Kucherov also just had the 2nd highest scoring playoff run in the last 25 years. So better finishes in everything, way better peak season, best playoff run, actually has individual hardware and a cup but MacK is better. Makes sense considering how overrated he's become.

I think if you ask me who the better player is now between Kuch or Mack I'd say it's close. I agree Mack gets overrated a lot - and people too quickly say "he's #2 unanimously, or even #1 above McDavid" too often lately, which are ridiculous takes.

I think it's a toss up between Kucherov and Mack - but if you're trying to say it should be Kucherov unanimously I certainly wouldn't go that far.

Better accomplishments? Better career to date? Sure - give me Kucherov easily. But better player today? If you look at past 3 years, it's pretty close in terms of performance. You could argue Mack has 2 of the 3 better seasons, and as great as Kucherov was in playoffs last year Mack was outstanding himself. Kuch plays on a better team, which helps his production at least a bit, and he also plays the less important position (winger vs center).

I'd have McDavid #1 - and I'd have Kuch/Mack round up the top 3, in whatever order. I think it's close between the 2.

 

[missionAvs]

Avs fan voting MacK but Dr. Drai and Hedman are right there with him IMO.

 

[Puckstuff]

Last 3 years

Kucherov = 313 points and 1.36 points per game.

Mackinnon = 289 points and 1.28 points per game.

Kucherov for me gets the edge he also just won a cup which is something.

last 3 years

1. McDavid - 1.43 PPG
2. Kucherov - 1.36 PPG
3. Mackinnon - 1.28 PPG