Young Malkin VS Matthews

[Phil68]

When i Matthews was coming in the league, i thought he was or would be the second coming of Malkin. But i don't think Matthews will reach Malkin's potential .

What are your thoughts

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[Seanaconda]

Malkin was and still is better than Matthews.

Malkins been a hair behind Crosby and ovie for people he should be compared to while Matthews is not as close to McDavid yet

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

A young Malkin is slightly more talented than Crosby or Ovechkin IMO. He wasn't as consistent, but on pure skill I think he was a little better. Matthews is fantastic, but I don't think he is at that level.

 

[ohheyhemsky]

Matthews will never touch the skill and overall ability of Malkin, either right now or in his prime.

 

[TheDoldrums]

My thoughts are everyone is obsessed with Matthews, non-Leafs fans included.

 

[Critical13]

Outside of McDavid, there are no young players in the league that project to have a career as good as Malkin. Barzal had a similar rookie season but I don't think he has the talent to match Malkin's career, and that is ignoring that Malkin is decent defensively.

 

[X66]

They're in the same tier.

I know people don't understand context at all on HFboards, so I'll have to explain it here, but you can't compare their numbers at early points because the situations were way different.

Malkin was getting nearly 6 minutes of PP time a game in that 20 year-old rookie season, no, that's no joke.

In fact, Malkin got over 5 minutes per game on the PP in each of his first 3 seasons in the NHL.

Even with that though, both Malkin and Matthews are two of only six centers that have averaged a point-per game in their 20 year old season, going back over 20 years.

That's impressive.

Matthews is also the only teenage rookie to finish top 3 in goals for a season(tied for 2nd).

This is why they're in a same tier.

Matthews has a lot of work to do to have the legacy that Malkin has, but the talent is there.

 

[Tall Morty]

Can’t help but feeling like there’s an agenda behind this that we’re not seeing... but what could it be?

 

[K Fleur]

Malkin won the Calder in his 1st season, finished 2nd in scoring plus went to the finals in his 2nd season, and Malkin won the Art Ross Conn Smythe, and Stanley Cup in his 3rd season.

Matthews has got a ways to go.

 

[Khomutov]

In his third season Malkin won the Art Ross against prime Ovechkin and Crosby. Matthews is entering his third season this year, lets see what he can do.

 

[TwoPiece]

Young Frankenstein for me.

 

[LordNeverLose]

Outside of McDavid, there are no young players in the league that project to have a career as good as Malkin. Barzal had a similar rookie season but I don't think he has the talent to match Malkin's career, and that is ignoring that Malkin is decent defensively.

This is OT and I also obviously doubt Barzal becomes as good as Malkin, but you mention that Malkin is decent defensively when I would say Barzal certainly has the potential to be a much better defensive player than Malkin.

 

[bobholly39]

I've yet to see anything from Matthews that makes me think he'll match Malkin as a player. Great player - but easily a tier below. That could change - but hasn't happened yet

 

[Rhaegar Targaryen]

Matthews is a good player, but Malkin is a special player. It’s not even close.

 

[Regal]

Malkin won the Calder in his 1st season, finished 2nd in scoring plus went to the finals in his 2nd season, and Malkin won the Art Ross Conn Smythe, and Stanley Cup in his 3rd season.

Matthews has got a ways to go.

Malkin also entered the league at 20, 2 years after he was drafted

 

[kingsholygrail]

Young Malkin played in a easier era of hockey.

 

[JPeeper]

This serious? Malkin any day every day.

Malkin may not be talked about in the Ovy/Crosby talks from years past, but he should be. Malkin when he was on is basically Mario Lemieux, dead serious. Matthews is a beast no doubt, but he isn't the complete monster Malkin was/is.

 

[zeke]

unfortunately we don't have advanced stats for Malkin's 20yr old season.

But we can just look at the standard stats I guess.

Standard Stats (Even Strength in brackets - Malkin's extra ice came entirely on the PP)

Malkin: 78gms, 33gls (17), 85pts (45), 19:10 ---- 82gm pace: 35gls (18), 89pts (47)
Auston: 62gms, 34gls (29), 63pts (50), 18:08 --- 82gm pace: 45gls (38), 83pts (66)

And we know Malkin was playing a cushy 2nd line competition, not elite 1st line competition like Auston was.


Why does HF have such a hard time admitting what tier of player Matthews belongs on?

it's so weird.

 

[TheTotalPackage]

I see it in the sense that Matthews may have a few seasons better than McDavid, as Malkin has than Crosby, but even then still won't be considered better/greater than their peer.

All in all though, they are similar players, although I think Malkin is better. Malkin is a pure beast. If anything, I'd say Matthews will fall below what Malkin is and similar to or just above what Kopitar is.

 

[KlefDown]

unfortunately we don't have advanced stats for Malkin's 20yr old season.

But we can just look at the standard stats I guess.

Standard Stats (Even Strength in brackets - Malkin's extra ice came entirely on the PP)

Malkin: 78gms, 33gls (17), 85pts (45), 19:10 ---- 82gm pace: 35gls (18), 89pts (47)
Auston: 62gms, 34gls (29), 63pts (50), 18:08 --- 82gm pace: 45gls (38), 83pts (66)

And we know Malkin was playing a cushy 2nd line competition, not elite 1st line competition like Auston was.


Why does HF have such a hard time admitting what tier of player Matthews belongs on?

it's so weird.

yeah, HF is the one having a hard time...not leafs fans...........

 

[zeke]

yeah, HF is the one having a hard time...not leafs fans...........

why is it so hard for you guys to accept that Matthews is on the same level as a player he outperformed at the same age?

i don't get it.

 

[aufheben]

Malkin won the Calder in his 1st season, finished 2nd in scoring plus went to the finals in his 2nd season, and Malkin won the Art Ross Conn Smythe, and Stanley Cup in his 3rd season.

Matthews has got a ways to go.

Context tho

 

[Deam78]

Malkin easily. He's always been the second best player of this generation for me, with a couple season where he looked like the best.

 

[olli]

unfortunately we don't have advanced stats for Malkin's 20yr old season.

But we can just look at the standard stats I guess.

Standard Stats (Even Strength in brackets - Malkin's extra ice came entirely on the PP)

Malkin: 78gms, 33gls (17), 85pts (45), 19:10 ---- 82gm pace: 35gls (18), 89pts (47)
Auston: 62gms, 34gls (29), 63pts (50), 18:08 --- 82gm pace: 45gls (38), 83pts (66)

And we know Malkin was playing a cushy 2nd line competition, not elite 1st line competition like Auston was.


Why does HF have such a hard time admitting what tier of player Matthews belongs on?

it's so weird.

Now lets see if Matthews can match Malkin's 47 goal, 106 point season next year. Using your narrative, he'll also get "cushy 2nd line competition" similar to Malkin's for 53 games of his 21 yr old season (Crosby was injured for 29 games that year).

 

[Tobias Kahun]

why is it so hard for you guys to accept that Matthews is on the same level as a player he outperformed at the same age?

i don't get it.

Probably cause he didn't out perform him.