Alexander Barkov vs. Auston Matthews

[Plural]

Which of these two players would you rather add to your team?

Take everything in to account, current use of the players, team needs, salary, age, wardrobe, mustache, language and all.

 

[OneSniffTwoSniff]

Barkov is the better hockey player, however Matthews produces crazy numbers, its very close but I would take Barkov.

 

[Funkygroove]

If i wanna win ill take Barkov. If im a canadian team trying to make money im taking Matthews.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Well one of them is already on my team so I guess I'd add Barkov

 

[Mack a doodle doo]

If i wanna win ill take Barkov. If im a canadian team trying to make money im taking Matthews.

You have this backwards. Canadian teams are going to make lots of money off either player, if anything it's teams in non-traditional markets like Florida would covet an American offensive talent like Mattehew's for marketing/money purposes.

 

[Rengorlex]

Matthews is better in every way that can be measured statistically

 

[34]

AM34 is the man here. No question about it.

Barkov is an incredible player as well though. Matthews Just has the star power and extra gear. Goal scoring machine.

 

[The90]

Matthews is better in every way that can be measured statistically

And will probably still lose this poll in a landslide for some reason. Funny how that works.

 

[34]

And will still lose this poll in a landslide for some reason. Funny how that works.

On this board…we know why.

 

[bert]

And will still lose this poll in a landslide for some reason. Funny how that works.

CHARTS!!!!! I've recently been told by Florida fans that the opposition game plans for Lundell over both Barkov and Huberdeau. So I guess Lundell > Matthews too....

For the record I'd take Matthews. I didn't have to think about it very long either.

 

[34]

CHARTS!!!!! I've recently been told by Florida fans that the opposition game plans for Lundell over both Barkov and Huberdeau. So I guess Lundell > Matthews too....

For the record I'd take Matthews. I didn't have to think about it very long either.

I can say that Matthews is way better than McDavid and not even close. We can all play that same game. Lol

 

[karhukissa]

Barkov AINEC

 

[needforspeed]

Barkov is the more complete package while Matthews production is better (depending on sample size but quite close 1.3 points/game compared to 1.2) while also scoring more goals. Tough one.

I have a gut feeling that Barkov can contribute into winning a slight more than Matthews, that's why chose him. But I quess we will see in playoffs how it really is. Thinking it long-term I also believe Barkov's 30+ years will be better than Matthews so he's keeping the window open a longer time

 

[Arthur Morgan]

And will still lose this poll in a landslide for some reason. Funny how that works.

pretending that these polls on HFBoard actually has meaning.
This is one of the biggest anti leaf forums out there

 

[Arthur Morgan]

Barkov AINEC

seems little biased but I respect your dedication

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

CHARTS!!!!! I've recently been told by Florida fans that the opposition game plans for Lundell over both Barkov and Huberdeau. So I guess Lundell > Matthews too....

For the record I'd take Matthews. I didn't have to think about it very long either.

I'm sure you thought that about Marner compared to Rantanen.

 

[bobholly39]

If i wanna win ill take Barkov. If im a canadian team trying to make money im taking Matthews.

Considering neither of them have ever won even a single playoff round, that's a weird comment. Barkov for example was -8 in 6 games in round 1 last year - you're not going to win much with your #1C having such numbers.

I voted Matthews, but it's close.

Last 4 years:

Matthews 229 games, 154 goals, 270 points, 1.18 ppg
Barkov 232 games, 102 goals, 256 points, 1.10 ppg

Matthews with superior ppg, and obviously clearly more goals.

Also - I still think Matthews may have an extra gear left we haven't seen yet, where he might peak as high as guys like Mack/Drai/Kuch for a couple of seasons. I don't think Barkov does. Even without this though, slight edge to Matthews

 

[needforspeed]

Considering neither of them have ever won even a single playoff round, that's a weird comment. Barkov for example was -8 in 6 games in round 1 last year - you're not going to win much with your #1C having such numbers.

I think they are both now in position where they can show how much they truly can contribute into winning. Both teams are built well and both have had losing experiences that should have made them tougher.

It's always hard to compare more offensive players to players who have other good qualities (Rocket winners to Selke winners for example).

Agree fully that it's close.

 

[The90]

I think they are both now in position where they can show how much they truly can contribute into winning. Both teams are built well and both have had losing experiences that should have made them tougher.

It's always hard to compare more offensive players to players who have other good qualities (Rocket winners to Selke winners for example).

Agree fully that it's close.

It’s odd you’re trying to imply there’s some massive gap in defensive play with Matthews and Barkov. Just not a reality. Matthews is also a 2 way beast. If he wants the puck from you, it’s his. Not many players are that strong on the puck. He gets all the praise for his shot, what you don’t talk about is his ability to out muscle opponents and take pucks off sticks.

 

[AvroArrow]

If i wanna win ill take Barkov. If im a canadian team trying to make money im taking Matthews.

Win what ? Neither team or player has won anything in the playoffs.

 

[The Podium]

I don’t get how Barkov has a “defensive” reputation or how he won his selke last year.

The two of them are actually close offensively while Auston Matthews is a better defensive player.

As much as I love Barkov, and have him 5th among Cs in the game, I think he’s a clear step below AM.

 

[needforspeed]

It’s odd you’re trying to imply there’s some massive gap in defensive play with Matthews and Barkov.

Not saying Matthews is poor defensively, elite player and also good on defensive play. Still quite confident Barkov is better in that front. I think it's a tough argument to say otherwise. Selke winner + multiple year top5 selke candidate. There's also a reason why Barkov's defensive zone shift start % is approx. double the amount of Matthews (19% compared to 10%).

But I think it's hard to say which ones edge (Matthews offense & goal scoring ability compared to Barkov being better defensively) is contributing more into teams success.

 

[Deadly Dogma]

Not saying Matthews is poor defensively, elite player and also good on defensive play. Still quite confident Barkov is better in that front. I think it's a tough argument to say otherwise. Selke winner + multiple year top5 selke candidate. There's also a reason why Barkov's defensive zone shift start % is approx. double the amount of Matthews (19% compared to 10%).

But I think it's hard to say which ones edge (Matthews offense & goal scoring ability compared to Barkov being better defensively) is contributing more into teams success.

This season Matthews has been better in ALL areas.
Threads like this are a great way to see who is actually watching!!

 

[The90]

I don’t get how Barkov has a “defensive” reputation or how he won his selke last year.

The two of them are actually close offensively while Auston Matthews is a better defensive player.

As much as I love Barkov, and have him 5th among Cs in the game, I think he’s a clear step below AM.

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@Zybalto does great work with head to heads. What do you have for us sir?

 

[The90]

Not saying Matthews is poor defensively, elite player and also good on defensive play. Still quite confident Barkov is better in that front. I think it's a tough argument to say otherwise. Selke winner + multiple year top5 selke candidate. There's also a reason why Barkov's defensive zone shift start % is approx. double the amount of Matthews (19% compared to 10%).

But I think it's hard to say which ones edge (Matthews offense & goal scoring ability compared to Barkov being better defensively) is contributing more into teams success.

The post above you shows a huge gap there in offence. As well as Matthews dominating defensively as well. His zone starts are in large part because the leafs have kampf now to have a true shutdown centre. He has by far the the highest d zone starts on the team at 70-80% if I recall correctly.