Iyla Kovalchuk or Brad Marchand?

[Rengorlex]

On a day to day basis in their peak/prime its Marchand. Kovi has some of the worst defensive impacts of all time as a cherry picking floater. But, Kovi had another level when he really really tried that Marchand didn't have. Like 2012 run.

What was special about Kovalchuk's 11-12 plaoyoff? His line got badly outscored, had middling possession stats and his individual scoring was mediocre.

In fact Kovalchuk's offensive game has really been mediocre in the playoffs. From 2008 on (too lazy to check the stats prior) he had 2 5vs5 goals in 36 playoff games.

 

[Jumptheshark]

What could Marchand do that Kovy couldn't? During his time in New Jersey he was one of the most complete wingers in the league.

Marchand was better at checking and man to man coverage

On a day to day basis in their peak/prime its Marchand. Kovi has some of the worst defensive impacts of all time as a cherry picking floater. But, Kovi had another level when he really really tried that Marchand didn't have. Like 2012 run.

problem is Kovey did not try hard all the time

 

[Sky04]

Kovalchuk had 1 good year on the devils, that's Marchand every year in the last 5.

 

[Cursed Lemon]

Did you miss the 2012 playoffs where an injured Kovy nearly took the devils to the cup?

That anything like Marchand having 11 goals in the playoffs the previous year?

Or leading the playoffs in scoring in 2019?

 

[Sheppy]

Kovalchuk ainec

How is it not close?

 

[The Nuge]

Marchand cause his peak lasted longer and did more damage and of course his playoff performances

How do you figure? Marchand’s only been elite for like 6 years now. Kovalchuk was at that level for a decade and was only stopped by him going to the KHL

 

[norrisnick]

How is it not close?

Iunno, ask the guy that said Marchand ainec.

 

[Sheppy]

The whole peak argument...

Lets say Kovalchuk's peak was 2003-2010

GP: 475
G: 271
A: 253
PTS: 524

Points per game: 1.10 PPG

Lets say Marchand's peak is 2016-2022
GP: 420
G: 198
A: 308
PTS: 506

Points per game: 1.20 PPG

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

That anything like Marchand having 11 goals in the playoffs the previous year?

Or leading the playoffs in scoring in 2019?

Yes, he absolutely carried the Devils despite being at about 50%. He could hardly even stand up straight and was still dominant.

Marchand has been very good in the playoffs, no doubt, but Kovalchuk's record is every bit as impressive, if not moreso.

 

[Sheppy]

Marchand puts up as good or better numbers while being an elite penalty killer as well.

 

[Cursed Lemon]

Yes, he absolutely carried the Devils despite being at about 50%. He could hardly even stand up straight and was still dominant.

Marchand has been very good in the playoffs, no doubt, but Kovalchuk's record is every bit as impressive, if not moreso.

Yes

Kovalchuk's

playoff record

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Yes

Kovalchuk's

playoff record

11g 27p in 32 games during his prime, with most of those games played while severely injured.

Marchand puts up as good or better numbers while being an elite penalty killer as well.

When Kovalchuk was asked to PK in his last 2 years in NJ, he had 7 SHG 9 SHP in 104 games.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Kovalchuk

His 87pts in 2004 was 2nd in the league
Played in lower scoring era
Played on weak teams

 

[Sheppy]

11g 27p in 32 games during his prime, with most of those games played while severely injured.


When Kovalchuk was asked to PK in his last 2 years in NJ, he had 7 SHG 9 SHP in 104 games.

And Marchand has 33 in his career to Kovalchuk's 10 in less career games.

Marchand literally ranks 14th all time in short handed goals.

 

[tfwnogf]

My brain says Kovy, but my heart says Marchy...

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

And Marchand has 33 in his career to Kovalchuk's 10 in less career games.

How is Kovalchuk supposed to score SHG when he's not on the PK? The question is about who was better in their primes - Kovalchuk was unquestionably at his best during his last few years with the Devils where he turned into a 2 way beast and was used in all situations.

 

[Sheppy]

How is Kovalchuk supposed to score SHG when he's not on the PK? The question is about who was better in their primes - Kovalchuk was unquestionably at his best during his last few years with the Devils where he turned into a 2 way beast and was used in all situations.

Exactly. Marchand was every bit as good offensively, while playing significantly more time killing penalties.

They're both fantastic players, but I think Marchand is the better all around player, and after surgery this year, he's off to yet another fantastic start and probably will come in well over a point per game...

Again.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Exactly. Marchand was every bit as good offensively, while playing significantly more time killing penalties.

In Kovalchuk's prime, he played just as much time short handed and was even more productive short handed.

 

[Sheppy]

In Kovalchuk's prime, he played just as much time short handed and was even more productive short handed.

He wasn't though.

In the time frame I listed above, Marchand had 28 short handed points to Kovalchuk's 6.

In fact, you can take Kovachuk's entire career SH production and it wouldn't come even close to what Marchand did in his "prime"

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

He wasn't though.

In the time frame I listed above, Marchand had 28 short handed points to Kovalchuk's 6.

That wasn't Kovalchuk's prime.

In his prime he had 7 goals 9 points in 104 games while shorthanded.

 

[Slew Footed by Holik]

What could Marchand do that Kovy couldn't? During his time in New Jersey he was one of the most complete wingers in the league.

He could easily make you want to kick him in the balls with your skate!

 

[Sheppy]

That wasn't Kovalchuk's prime.

In his prime he had 7 goals 9 points in 104 games while shorthanded.

So his prime is 2 seasons?

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

So his prime is 2 seasons?

That's when he was at his best, yeah.

Essentially shows he could do everything marchand could do and more.

 

[Sheppy]

That's when he was at his best, yeah.

Essentially shows he could do everything marchand could do and more.

So... those two seasons you're cherry picking (I'll pick two seasons too)

Kovalchuk: 114 games, 114 points -15, 9 short handed points
Marchand: 147 games, 185 points, +40, 7 short handed points

(You can argue Marchand is STILL in his prime, too) - His prime didn't last two seasons.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

So... those two seasons you're cherry picking (I'll pick two seasons too)

Kovalchuk: 114 games, 114 points -15, 9 short handed points
Marchand: 147 games, 185 points, +40, 7 short handed points

Imagine using +/- to compare players on different teams. But please keep moving the goal posts.