I don't speak for everyone, but I don't think a pure offensive winger that adds little else like Kucherov is a top 5 player, regardless of how good he is offensively. You could make a similar argument for Draisaitl, but I think he has the better argument because he plays center, he at least attempts to play better defense and be more of an all around player, and I also think that some of his poor defensive stats are due to the team he plays for.
Man I don't even know where to start with how wrong this is.
Let's go bit by bit.
I don't speak for everyone
Good, your opinions are clearly not very well informed
I don't think a pure offensive winger that adds little else like Kucherov
In the context of elite offensive players (i.e the Mack's, Drais, Mcdavid's, Kanes of the world), Kucherov is one of the better defensive players. Now, he is NOT a Selke candidate. BUT, he has put up average to slightly positive defensive numbers most of his years in the league (2018-19 being his only really negative season in this regard), and in 2019-20 was actually a decently positive player in his own zone. Watching him play makes that even more evident. Among Art Ross contenders, that is actually pretty damn good.
Kane, Ovi, McDavid, Drai, and in his early years, Crosby (who has gotten way better as he aged), were/are all considered top-5 players despite being clearly apathetic in their own zones. Not only are they "bad" on D, but Kane, Drai, McDavid, and Ovi to this day openly sell out their defensive game in order to produce on offense. Now, offense is obviously more important, so someone like McDavid can still be the best in the league while being bottom 25% on defense. But your argument already falls flat unless you don't consider any of those players to have been top 5 players.
You could make a similar argument for Draisaitl
You could make a much better argument on that for Drai, given the stats and eye test
clearly back it up.
but I think he has the better argument because he plays center
This tired argument isn't even worth my time
he at least attempts to play better defense and be more of an all around player
He absolutely does not, and you know it. Both he and McDavid cherry-pick and sell out for flashy steals and plays instead of playing a responsible game.
and I also think that some of his poor defensive stats are due to the team he plays for
When will this argument die. The oilers were
NOT a "terrible" defensive team last year, at least not to the extent that people like to parrot falsely. Last year, in all situations, the oilers were 15th/31 in GA/GP. For reference, Tampa was 8th. Even at 5v5, the oilers were around ~20th in GA/GP. Worse, but still not terrible, and better than a team like the Leafs.
The hockey world would be better off if more fans used actual data when they make their opinions, rather than nebulous feelings and narratives that don't hold up under scrutiny
