Is MacKinnon now the best player in the NHL?

[Freaky Styley]

Haven't read the thread and definitely reactionary, but the thing that has always separated MacKinnon for me when it comes to other #1 overall draft picks/top players is his ability to step up and deliver in big moments and in big games. This has happened throughout junior, in the World Cup and his short playoff career. You can say other players are better at this and that, and during the regular season, but IMO he will be one of, if not, THE best playoff performers in this era. And depending on how you measure a player, it could be argued he is the best because of this ability. All I know I'm happy he's on my team and I'll wait for him to win a Conn Smythe or 2 before making any proclamations

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

No. MacK is a stud and he's up there, but to be the best player you have to win hardware, preferably individual hardware. The best players last season were McDavid and OV. This season McDavid and Kucherov. Even though they both didn't play in the playoffs, their regular seasons were too good. OV will stay at the top though with another big playoff run.

 

[IndustryLeech]

I get what you are saying, but look at the Oilers and then look at the Avalanche. McDavid can only do so much with a bad team. Crosby is a great leaders and the pens got destroyed in the first round. Just like I would say McDavid is a good leader too.

Not too sure how you can determine who is the better leader, when Nate and Connor are in quite different situations

He can't get them to the playoffs.

 

[Joey Moss]

He's the best player in the league when the officiating gives him a 5 on 3 PP in a tie playoff game for this:

2 minutes for a stick lift!!

You're really good at embarrassing yourself everywhere you post.

 

[Huck Cheever]

What have you done for me the past week

Good ol hf

 

[mattydamon]

Ridiculous post due to timing of course, but he's a top 5 forward in the NHL.

 

[HF007]

Best player in the playoffs right now

 

[Newsworthy]

Best player in the playoffs right now

No.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

he was better last year than this year tbh

 

[The Moose is Loose]

Very easily still McDavid

But I am a huge Mackinnon fan, he is working himself into the #2 slot in my eyes. As Crosby, Ovi, Malkin age, I think Mackinnon/Barkov/Matthews/Marner/Draisaitl/Rantanen are the guys fighting to be at the top, and as of now, I think Mackinnon is winning that battle.

 

[wayninja]

MacKinnon may very well be the ONLY player in the NHL. I've heard told at the very least that he is the only one on his team.

 

[bdub24]

It can't be Mac because he isn't playing for a Canadian team.

 

[habdynasty]

Player of the week.

 

[Crosbyfan]

Why are we limiting it to just the NHL? Or even this planet or galaxy for that matter?

Pfft...the Kepler-32 planets alone have a dozen better players...

 

[General Fanager]

this made it to 4 pages?

Simple no at post # 2 should have ended this one.....

 

[wayninja]

Pfft...the Kepler-32 planets alone have a dozen better players...

Kepler??? KEPLER??? Maybe some Rigellians, but Cygnus? GTFO with that nonsense. Besides, it's really only apples to apples when comparing bipeds.

 

[General Fanager]

It can't be Mac because he isn't playing for a Canadian team.

It cant be Mac because he isnt good enough to be the best.....

 

[kesleaf]

But is he even generational? I think not.

Auston Matthews is generational.

 

[GhostfaceWu]

It's amazing really, when you look back just 2 years ago and there was a growing feeling of "well, looks like he'll be a good 60ish point center.." among Av fans. People were getting really fed up, goes to show sometimes it just takes a player a few years to get their bearings.

Doesn't hurt to get a ppg winger added to your team to help already gifted players achieve a high level of play. Before Rantanen joined the Avs Mackinnon looked to be a disappointing first overall.

 

[ZJuice]

Are we talking about moons in this thread?

 

[wayninja]

Are we talking about moons in this thread?

I'll allow it.

 

[Tike Myson]

But is he even generational? I think not.

Auston Matthews is generational.

Between 16 total playoff game appearances even
Matthews 9pts
Mackinnon 20pts

Last 2 reg seasons
Matthews 136
Mackinnon 196

When Matthews is in his prime it might be a different story

But currently it’s not even a discussion

 

[The Abusement Park]

No. MacK is a stud and he's up there, but to be the best player you have to win hardware, preferably individual hardware. The best players last season were McDavid and OV. This season McDavid and Kucherov. Even though they both didn't play in the playoffs, their regular seasons were too good. OV will stay at the top though with another big playoff run.

Mack should’ve won the Hart last year honestly. He was at worst the 3rd best player in the league last year.

 

[Tike Myson]

Mcdavid is on a much worse team but still better. I’d put Nate in Top 3 or 4

 

[Foppberg]

Doesn't hurt to get a ppg winger added to your team to help already gifted players achieve a high level of play. Before Rantanen joined the Avs Mackinnon looked to be a disappointing first overall.

Lol