Kaprizov vs Rantanen

[John Mandalorian]

Rantanen. Rings matter. Go back to game 4 against the Oilers. Yeah, it’s Rantanen all day every day.

 

[TruePowerSlave]

Not really sure tbh

Rantanen has a tremendous playoff record though. Being on excellent teams helps, but 8th all-time in playoff PPG is quite something.

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Playoffs is a tie-breaker in this instance.

 

[FlappyGiraffe]

Kaprizov is electric to watch, would way rather get to see him for 82 games than rantanen

 

[biturbo19]

I think in a vacuum it's pretty even in terms of "talent". Kaprizov might even be just a tiny bit more creative and skilled. But for me, the size difference becomes a tipping point. Rantanen's ability to use his size to really lean on guys and make those plays under tight checking is an x-factor when comparing these two. Even though Kaprizov's lack of size obviously doesn't hinder him much since he's so slippery and strong on his feet. It's just one extra tool in Rantanen's belt that Kaprizov simply doesn't have available to him.

 

[rynryn]

Kaprizov is just better. No shade at anyone on team Rants--he's awesome.

 

[mattydamon]

Close but I vote Rantanen. I think Kap might be a bit more skilled but Rants 2 way plus grit and playoff performances give him the edge.

 

[Kupo]

Good thread. No wrong answer here. Flip the coin.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Kaprizov is way more dynamic, easy choice for me. Would put up insane numbers with MacKinnon and Makar.

 

[ThatGuy22]

It's easily Kaprizov. There isn't a winger in the game that has less support then him.

Avs have two players, including his C with more points than him.

Rossi is a hell of a step up from Rask, but he's not MacKinnon.

Wild have a couple of great defenders, with Ok to good offense. But none are Maker leading the league in scoring.

Zuccerello was a career high 61 point winger in his prime in NY. Next to Kaprizov in Minnesota at 37 he's a PPG player.

His best support is Boldy, who is turning into a star in his own right, but they only play together on the PP this year. And last year when they played together it was the best line in the league.

No winger in the league outside of maybe Kucherov impacts his team more. Wild go as far as Kaprizov and their goaltending take them.

 

[Avs2022]

The one who doesnt have mackinnon on the 1st PP unit

Worst take ever. As Avs fan, Rants is great when Mackinnon has been out.

 

[BKarchitect]

I think what KK does given his team is a bit more impressive, but Moose's track record and playoff history are damn impressive.

On a neutral team I probably take KK by a nose, but they are both top 5 wingers in terms of a "now" and "record" - Kuch, Pasta, Bread, Moose and KK is tier 1 for me, all apologies to regular season Mitch, healthy Stone and the guys in Florida who may be the best winger duo in the league (and trio for that matter).

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

I think the only fair thing to do is even the playing field, we’re going to need the Wild to trade Kaprizov to the Avs for virtually nothing while retaining max so we can see who does better beside MacKinnon and Makar.

 

[missionAvs]

KK for me but it's close. Rants just doesn't know how to skate properly.

 

[hamzarocks]

It's easily Kaprizov. There isn't a winger in the game that has less support then him.

Avs have two players, including his C with more points than him.

Rossi is a hell of a step up from Rask, but he's not MacKinnon.

Wild have a couple of great defenders, with Ok to good offense. But none are Maker leading the league in scoring.

Zuccerello was a career high 61 point winger in his prime in NY. Next to Kaprizov in Minnesota at 37 he's a PPG player.

His best support is Boldy, who is turning into a star in his own right, but they only play together on the PP this year. And last year when they played together it was the best line in the league.

No winger in the league outside of maybe Kucherov impacts his team more. Wild go as far as Kaprizov and their goaltending take them.

Pastrnak has less support

His 2022 and 2023 years were crazy for the level if low end offensive talent he played with

Panarin also has pretty low talent similar to kaprizov with his 2023 year season seeing him put 120 while next best on rangers was trocheck I think with 40+ less pts

 

[Stephen]

I call this the Patrick Kane dichotomy.

In an online discussion, value is often placed on the guy who has less talent around him, who has accomplished less, because if X and Y switched places, viola!

In the real world, I tend to value the superstars who play with other superstars who win and regret nothing.