Malkin is the best Russian player ever

[Honour Over Glory]

Pens fan here...


As it stands, Sergei Fedorov is still the best Russian to ever lace them up for the NHL, Malkin is #2 as of right now. With 800pts and some change in 700~ games and his resume so far, if Geno ever manages to just relax in the summer and play a full season healthy again, he could pass Fedorov by the time his contract is up and he retires. Without a doubt.

Some of the responses in this thread are hilarious...

"Oh but can we count other Russians that might have dominated in the NHL?" - Might, not would have, but might have. A lot of variables there. The Russians at that time were hated and I am sure they would have been given an insanely rough ride by most NHL'ers and as tough as that is, it is what it is.

Krutov, a legend for Soviet Army, was barely a little over 0.5ppg in the NHL, his conditioning was atrocious, the guy was just a fat slob with his 7-11 diet. The NHL is a different beast.

 

[DearDiary]

Healthy Malkin is better than Crosby, let alone Datsyuk and Fedorov

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Datsyuk took over games like no one else I've seen. I'm not talking about statistical or award worthy dominance, I'm talking about skill and what happened on the ice. Datsyuk also played defense, Malkin doesn't. I'm willing to bet that Datsyuk's numbers would be much better if he sacrificed defense for offense. If Datsyuk was a Pen and Malkin a Wing, we'd be having a different conversation imo.

And Malkin will never touch Feds in terms of pure skill and dominance. It's not nostalgia-it's fact.

Datsyuk was a treat, silky hands with the puck, but you have 0% idea of how Malkin took over games or even when he still takes over games. Not only does Malkin kill penalties for Team Russia, he did in the KHL as well, he has never not been a 200ft player for his career, Malkin plays defense, this weird notion you have that he doesn't just clearly shows how little you know about Malkin and his game.

When Malkin takes over, he has shades of Mario, you know, that HHOF'er that retired, then came back and played as a HHOF'er and still produced like a legend. Malkin takes over games like that, he is all over the rink, not only playing amazing defense and just destroying players with hits, but also just willing something out of nothing. When Malkin takes over a game, it's a sight to behold, again, you don't see anyone in the league doing it the way he does it unless you go back to Mario Lemieux, the sheer size and determination also just playing like there's 3 of him out there with how he has the puck on a string and just goes through players like a bull in a china shop.


And no, it's not fact that Malkin will never touch Fedorov in terms of pure skill and dominance.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Fedorov might have some more "Music video skill" and some more "fellow Russian player dating drama" skill, but that's about it.

Oh, Fedorov had the nicer hair.

 

[Deebs]

Healthy Malkin is better than Crosby, let alone Datsyuk and Fedorov

Lol....

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Lol....

 

[Regal]

Pens fan here...


As it stands, Sergei Fedorov is still the best Russian to ever lace them up for the NHL, Malkin is #2 as of right now. With 800pts and some change in 700~ games and his resume so far, if Geno ever manages to just relax in the summer and play a full season healthy again, he could pass Fedorov by the time his contract is up and he retires. Without a doubt.

Some of the responses in this thread are hilarious...

"Oh but can we count other Russians that might have dominated in the NHL?" - Might, not would have, but might have. A lot of variables there. The Russians at that time were hated and I am sure they would have been given an insanely rough ride by most NHL'ers and as tough as that is, it is what it is.

Krutov, a legend for Soviet Army, was barely a little over 0.5ppg in the NHL, his conditioning was atrocious, the guy was just a fat slob with his 7-11 diet. The NHL is a different beast.

Krutov isn't a good example. The Soviet program was notorious for pushing players with their conditioning and workouts. He seemed to have been lost in North America getting away from that. The other members of the Russian 5 did well for the most part, though were older by then. Given NHLers did play them and think highly of their games, the projection to the NHL is pretty fair. It's no different than looking at different NHL eras

 

[barkovcanfinnish]

and some people are still convinced the earth is flat, no matter how many facts prove them wrong

Sergei Fedorov:
Regular season - 1248gp, 483g, 696a, 1179pts
Playoffs: 183gp, 52g, 124a, 176pts
3x Stanley Cup Champion
1x Hart Trophy Winner
2x Frank J. Selke Trophy Winner

Evgeni Malkin:
Regular season - 706gp, 328g, 504a, 839pts
Playoffs: 149gp, 58g, 99a, 157pts
3x Stanley Cup Champion
1x Hart Trophy Winner
1x Conn Smythe Winner
2x Art Ross Trophy Winner
1x Calder Trophy Winner
1x Ted Lindsay Winner

I said I wasn't convinced Malkin was better, and I'm still not. He certainly can convince me by the time his career is over.

Good day, Pierre.

 

[TheAngryHank]

No way in hell was Larionov better than Malkin.

Larionov was compared to Gretzky because of style , Larionov was an amazing player.I would say the two are close but vastly different.

 

[Canucks1096]

Lol....

Malkin 3 best healthy seasons

2009 35 G 78 A 113 points
2012 50 G 59 A 109 points
2008 50 G 59 A 106 points

Crosby 3 best healthy seasons

2007 36 G 84 A 120 points
2010 51 G 58 A 109 points
2014 36 H 68 A 104 points

Malkin best season 113 points is more impressive that Crosby 120 points because the first couple seasons after the lockout because the nhl was calling a bunch of pp. Half of Crosby points in that season came on the pp. Without all the pp Crosby wouldn't of gotten any close to 120 points.

Second best season both had 109 points. Both seasons were about the same pp but Malkin did it 7 less games so Malkin second best season is better than Crosby second season.

3rd best Malkin 106 points to Crosby 104 points. Even Malkin a lot more goals. I will give a slight edge to Crosby because 2014 was a lot harder to score than 2008

Best playoff Malkin 36 points to Crosby 31 points as well. I choose to compare 3 seasons because Malkin only had 3 healthy season aside from his rookie year. This prove Malkin is on Par with Crosby or even better when Malkin is healthy

Once again Malkin is so underrated. Don't know why

However Crosby half of season in 2011 had 66 points. Was on pace for 132 points. But on pace and actually doing it is a different animal.

You might take back the lol. Lol.

 

[TheAngryHank]

Pens fan here...


As it stands, Sergei Fedorov is still the best Russian to ever lace them up for the NHL, Malkin is #2 as of right now. With 800pts and some change in 700~ games and his resume so far, if Geno ever manages to just relax in the summer and play a full season healthy again, he could pass Fedorov by the time his contract is up and he retires. Without a doubt.

Some of the responses in this thread are hilarious...

"Oh but can we count other Russians that might have dominated in the NHL?" - Might, not would have, but might have. A lot of variables there. The Russians at that time were hated and I am sure they would have been given an insanely rough ride by most NHL'ers and as tough as that is, it is what it is.

Krutov, a legend for Soviet Army, was barely a little over 0.5ppg in the NHL, his conditioning was atrocious, the guy was just a fat slob with his 7-11 diet. The NHL is a different beast.

I guess it's how you look at it as being best.I view it as who would i take in their prime,no other reason. Who was most skilled not decorated..I did enjoy your post.

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

You mean prime? Datsyuk was elite his entire career.

He just got old. Which is you know, natural.

And no, Malkin's 11/12 season isn't better than what Feds had. Hate to break it to you.

If 1 top 5 hart finish and 1x 2nd AST = "elite his entire career" then you have very low standards.

Yes it was actually.

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

Malkin 3 best healthy seasons

2009 35 G 78 A 113 points
2012 50 G 59 A 109 points
2008 50 G 59 A 106 points

Crosby 3 best healthy seasons

2007 36 G 84 A 120 points
2010 51 G 58 A 109 points
2014 36 H 68 A 104 points

Malkin best season 113 points is more impressive that Crosby 120 points because the first couple seasons after the lockout because the nhl was calling a bunch of pp. Half of Crosby points in that season came on the pp. Without all the pp Crosby wouldn't of gotten any close to 120 points.

Second best season both had 109 points. Both seasons were about the same pp but Malkin did it 7 less games so Malkin second best season is better than Crosby second season.

3rd best Malkin 106 points to Crosby 104 points. Even Malkin a lot more goals. I will give a slight edge to Crosby because 2014 was a lot harder to score than 2008

Best playoff Malkin 36 points to Crosby 31 points as well. I choose to compare 3 seasons because Malkin only had 3 healthy season aside from his rookie year. This prove Malkin is on Par with Crosby or even better when Malkin is healthy

Once again Malkin is so underrated. Don't know why

However Crosby half of season in 2011 had 66 points. Was on pace for 132 points. But on pace and actually doing it is a different animal.

You might take back the lol. Lol.

You're judging off raw pts which makes no sense. Malkin's 11/12 was way better than his 08/09. I'd rank them:

Malkin 11/12
Crosby 06/07
Crosby 13/14
Malkin 08/09
Crosby 09/10
Malkin 07/08

Malkin has the best playoff run, but Crosby has 4 smythe worthy runs to Malkin's 2.

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

Sergei Fedorov:
Regular season - 1248gp, 483g, 696a, 1179pts
Playoffs: 183gp, 52g, 124a, 176pts
3x Stanley Cup Champion
1x Hart Trophy Winner
2x Frank J. Selke Trophy Winner

Evgeni Malkin:
Regular season - 706gp, 328g, 504a, 839pts
Playoffs: 149gp, 58g, 99a, 157pts
3x Stanley Cup Champion
1x Hart Trophy Winner
1x Conn Smythe Winner
2x Art Ross Trophy Winner
1x Calder Trophy Winner
1x Ted Lindsay Winner

I said I wasn't convinced Malkin was better, and I'm still not. He certainly can convince me by the time his career is over.

Good day, Pierre.

If you ignore the 2 rosses, smythe, calder, better RS ppg and better playoff PPG then yes Fedorov is better.

 

[GordieHowsUrBreath]

Sergei Fedorov:
Regular season - 1248gp, 483g, 696a, 1179pts
Playoffs: 183gp, 52g, 124a, 176pts
3x Stanley Cup Champion
1x Hart Trophy Winner
2x Frank J. Selke Trophy Winner

Evgeni Malkin:
Regular season - 706gp, 328g, 504a, 839pts
Playoffs: 149gp, 58g, 99a, 157pts
3x Stanley Cup Champion
1x Hart Trophy Winner
1x Conn Smythe Winner
2x Art Ross Trophy Winner
1x Calder Trophy Winner
1x Ted Lindsay Winner

I said I wasn't convinced Malkin was better, and I'm still not. He certainly can convince me by the time his career is over.

Good day, Pierre.

LMAO you post their resumes where malkin's is clearly more impressive and you are "still not convinced"

 

[GordieHowsUrBreath]

When you begin to insult players' names, your argument starts to look childish.

Not the first time.

there is no legit argument for any guy named pavel over malkin

 

[malkshake]

You're judging off raw pts which makes no sense. Malkin's 11/12 was way better than his 08/09. I'd rank them:

Malkin 11/12
Crosby 06/07
Crosby 13/14
Malkin 08/09
Crosby 09/10
Malkin 07/08

Malkin has the best playoff run, but Crosby has 4 smythe worthy runs to Malkin's 2.

Malkin's 08/09 campaign is the best season post lockout by any player imo and I actually don't know how far back you have to go to find a better season. He basically led the league in points from beginning to end in the regular season winning the Art Ross and then had the most dominant playoff run in who knows how long on his way to the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe.

I would switch yours and go:

08/09 Malkin
11/12 Malkin
06/07 Crosby
13/14 Crosby
09/10 Crosby
07/08 Malkin

 

[TheAngryHank]

there is no legit argument for any guy named pavel over malkin

In JRs book he said today we talk about Malkin and Ovy ,went on to say they couldn't skate with Mogilney Bure and Fedorov.I would trust the word of a player that played with both over yours.

 

[malkshake]

I was obsessed with Fedorov as a child, he was my hero. He quickly became my second favourite player after Malkin came into the league. Malkin's raw talent level exceeds Fedorov easily, it blew my mind. The only things Fedorov does better is defending and skating. From who I have seen play a lot, since I am only 30, I would rank the top 5 Russians:

1. Malkin
2. Ovechkin
3. Fedorov
4. Datsyuk
5. Bure

 

[TheAngryHank]

I was obsessed with Fedorov as a child, he was my hero. He quickly became my second favourite player after Malkin came into the league. Malkin's raw talent level exceeds Fedorov easily, it blew my mind. The only things Fedorov does better is defending and skating. From who I have seen play a lot, since I am only 30, I would rank the top 5 Russians:

1. Malkin
2. Ovechkin
3. Fedorov
4. Datsyuk
5. Bure

A team of 5 Feds would own a team of 5 Malkins. 5 Malkins would be injured or in the box for stupid penalties.There is literally zero chance a 5 man unit of malkins could beat team Feds..and you put Ovy over Feds.

 

[Son Goku]

A team of 5 Feds would own a team of 5 Malkins. 5 Malkins would be injured or in the box for stupid penalties.There is literally zero chance a 5 man unit of malkins could beat team Feds..and you put Ovy over Feds.

Would he? Nothing suggests that, and even if it did its theoretical and not realistic. Players are judged by their statistics and dominance over their peers.

 

[sr edler]

Is Malkin the best Russian player of all time? The best Russian NHLer? His competition is basically just Ovechkin. I don't see Fedorov as being their equal.

Fedorov is better than Ovi, easily. Malkin has a better offensive resume than Feds, but defensively it's night and day.

 

[TheAngryHank]

Would he? Nothing suggests that, and even if it did its theoretical and not realistic. Players are judged by their statistics and dominance over their peers.

When Malkin wins a Hart and a Selky and Perasons the same season let me know.. Let me know when you can chuck Malkin on the blue line,win hardest slapshot and tie the fastest trip around the rink in a ASG.thanks

 

[TheAngryHank]

Would he? Nothing suggests that, and even if it did its theoretical and not realistic. Players are judged by their statistics and dominance over their peers.

Listen , i don't want to come across like a jerk, if you could build the perfect player you come up with three players ,Lindros Lemiuex,.and Feds

Fedorov.. You don't come up with Malkin..If your a crazy stupid crack addicted wizzard you come up with Gretzky.
Feds was as close to Lemioux as you could get .Put it this way , in the 90s , look up the top 3 playoff scores.Top of my head.. 1 is mario with 136 points,JJ with 135 , Feds with 134.

 

[Canucks1096]

You're judging off raw pts which makes no sense. Malkin's 11/12 was way better than his 08/09. I'd rank them:

Malkin 11/12
Crosby 06/07
Crosby 13/14
Malkin 08/09
Crosby 09/10
Malkin 07/08

Malkin has the best playoff run, but Crosby has 4 smythe worthy runs to Malkin's 2.

I am not sure how I am judging off of raw point total when comparing Malkin best season vs crosby best season. If I was doing that I will just see who has the most point and determine who has the better season. Which I didn't do. I looked at little bit league average goal a game. Number of pp and game missed as well to determine who had a better season Crosby or Malkin. Which proves I looked at the points with some context. Malkin 08 and 12 is kind of coin flip.

How is Crosby 13/14 104 point better than Malkin 113 point in 2008/2009? If the reason is it was harder to score in 13/14. Then you should put malkin 113 point in 2008/2009 ahead of crosby 120 points in 2006/2007. 2006/2007 was close 5 pp a game. Malkin 2008/2009 season was almost 1 less a game. If 2006/2007 didn't have almost 5 pp a game. I think it's fair to say he would of gotten at least 10 to 15 less points.

If you are going include Crosby 2007/2008 playoffs. Then you should include Malkin as well.