Malkin is the best Russian player ever

[Passchendaele]

Fedorov is arguably my favorite player all-time, but he's clearly not the best Russian in history.

He had too many subpar seasons (relative to his talent) over the years.

 

[Passchendaele]

A prime Feds is better than a prime Malkin,fact.

It's a shame that prime lasted about two and a half seasons though.

 

[Gurglesons]

I cant speak on makarov or the soviet era russians (either a little kid or didnt exist) but while i do believe malkin is up there in regards to top russians the absolute dismissal of Ovi on here is hilarious. Take away the TEAM accomplishments and compare malkin and ovis stats and career.

on a side note the bure posters are laughable. Posters want to call Ovi a one dimensional player, while Bure DEFINED one dimensional. He was a 100 mphs from center into the O zone. NEVER back checked and could frequently be seen floating at center ice while his team was hemmed in the D zone.

This is the truth. Malkin may be the better playoff performer, but Ovechkin is obviously the better player.

Ovechkin and Malkin are the two best Russians in the modern era.

 

[ClydeLee]

Geno's prime and Geno's career accomplishments surpass that of Fedorov

I'm not sure what you conclude with to say that then say next that Ovi is of a greater accomplishment level than Geno.

For the folks saying Malkin should of had 2 Conn Smythes, Federov also didn't win it while winning the cup with the most points of his team, then the next years cup he had the most goals but was 2nd in points behind Yzerman who took it.

To the posts of those showing Malkin's accomplishments, Federov had several the same, even 3 cups, except the Smythe and Calder, where he did finish 2nd for Calder behind Belfour. The accomplishments aren't far off but show the contrast of play, Malkin has 2 art ross's and Federov has 2 selkes. Neither would likely ever the other because that's not the same game they played. But Federov had himself a 3rd finish in goals his major hot year, though does anyone believe Malkin ever had a close to that great defensive play season in his career or will. His only selke votes were in 09 with some 5th place votes for him.

 

[Gurglesons]

To the posts of those showing Malkin's accomplishments, Federov had several the same, even 3 cups, except the Smythe and Calder, where he did finish 2nd for Calder behind Belfour. The accomplishments aren't far off but show the contrast of play, Malkin has 2 art ross's and Federov has 2 selkes. Neither would likely ever the other because that's not the same game they played. But Federov had himself a 3rd finish in goals his major hot year, though does anyone believe Malkin ever had a close to that great defensive play season in his career or will. His only selke votes were in 09 with some 5th place votes for him.

Doesn't anyone equate a Selke and an Art Ross?

Selke is essentially a judgement call by the media. Art Ross is a definitive domination in terms of points. Completely different awards. I love Federov, but Malkin has essentially done everything Federov did in his career at the age of 30.

Ovechkin is the better player than Malkin.

 

[Treb]

I never watched the soviet league, but 1.37 ppg doesn't seem extremely impressive given the style of hockey played back then. If we're talking all time greats... Era has to count.

1.37 was 0.12 better than the nearest competitor and 0.16 of the best with more than 500 games.

710 pts in 519 was the best in the league. Vladimir Petrov had 708 in 66 more games. After that it drop to 644 in 580, then 580 in 463. Only 8 players scored 500+ points. Only 18 had 400+ points.

He has 6 of the top 10 season (and the whole top 3) in Soviet hockey history.

 

[Castle8130]

Malkins not that great defensively. If you noticed, he lets up a lot of the penguins goals and the players go right by him. He's good offensively and puts up points, but his defensive game is too poor to be the best russian player of all time. Ovechkin is much better, but is a little out of his prime in my opinion. His prime was about 2 years ago.

 

[tom_servo]

I think if Malkin had more international success, he'd be held closer to the top of all-time Russians.

Funny how that compares to tradition.

 

[TheStatican]

A prime Feds is better than a prime Malkin,fact.

Nope.
Fed's had probably the best regular season by a Russian in 1993-94 just ahead of a couple of Ovechkin's years but he was trash in the playoffs that year.

It was Malkin who put together the best single year by a russian in NHL history. And when I say year I mean regular season and post season. Honestly people put way too much value in regular season accomplishments alone. Yes it's a larger sample size but you can't honestly tell me that everyone is playing at 100% of their abilities over the course of a 82 game season. Where as there is no question that they are when they're playing to win the singular most important award in the sport, the Stanley Cup. No Russian player has ever been better than Malkin was in 08-09 when he won the Ross in the regular season and followed that up with the Conn Smythe in the playoffs both of which are equally significant accomplishments and combined have more value than the Hart. That year he scored an incredible 149 points with 100 assists. Easily the most by any player, nevermind Russian, in the current low scoring era.

 

[Wood Stick]

Career wise, Malkin.
If you put these two up against each other in terms of peak, Fedorov.
Pretty simple really.
Peak wise there wasn't a better Russian hockey player than Sergei Fedorov.

 

[Sergei DRW]

I like how Ovechkin is no longer even part of the discussion.

If you want to build a competitive team that wins, you take Makarov and Fedorov 10 times out of 10 over Ovechkin.

 

[Sergei DRW]

It's a shame that prime lasted about two and a half seasons though.

Yeah, that Kournikova b...h ruined his career. He couldn't focus on ice hockey.

 

[Sergei DRW]

Nope.
Fed's had probably the best regular season by a Russian in 1993-94 just ahead of a couple of Ovechkin's years but he was trash in the playoffs that year.

He had a concussion in that series against the Sharks. It is a miracle he even started to skate by game 6.

 

[rintinw]

Malkins not that great defensively. If you noticed, he lets up a lot of the penguins goals and the players go right by him. He's good offensively and puts up points, but his defensive game is too poor to be the best russian player of all time. Ovechkin is much better, but is a little out of his prime in my opinion. His prime was about 2 years ago.

If you cared to check the numbers you would instantly know that's not even remotely true.

 

[Caps8112]

If you want to build a competitive team that wins, you take Makarov and Fedorov 10 times out of 10 over Ovechkin.

statements like this are what make this website hilarious.

Fedorov was absolutely amazing but lets just completely forget the HALL OF FAMERS he played with "that wins"

Yzerman, Lidstrom, Shanahan, Murphy. then maybe just outside Hall, Larionov with 97pts in 150 playoff games. Also while always being an exceptional player he never came close to matching the MVP season again (96 was nice tho).


Malkins

Crosby, Letang, kessel, maybe a couple more


Ovi

Backstrom and thats a maybe that he makes the hall one day without any major awards, allstar appearances or cups.

one thing is not like the other.

 

[Syrinx]

What do you mean Fedorov is overrated?
Have you seen his skating technique? He would skate circles around both Crosby and Malkin if he would be of the similar age. And he was fast, and skilled with cannon of a shot.
People who haven't watched the hockey of the 90's are still passing judgement. Ridiculous.
And when Malkin wins a Hart and Selke in the same year, we would have a discussion that he is better than Fedorov, but Malkin is not good enough defensively.

Hart/Selke in one season does not make Fedorov better.

There is an argument to be made for either at this point. When it's over, I don't think it will be close.

 

[Atas2000]

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.

Not close. In both cases. Neither the best russian NHLer, nor let alone best Russian ever. Quite weird POV you have. Probabaly basically the way of the young blinded by the current stars and not actually knowing the past stars.

Fedorov was easily a better player. Skill, skating, hockey-IQ and yes, defence - off the charts. It is hard to determine if Bure was better than Fedorov due to the shortened career. And that is only the last soviet crop.

All time Malkin will not necessarily make it into the top 5(especially if we are talking players and not skaters).

Kharlamov
Bobrov
Tretiak

are basically virtually out of reach so far and I think in the near future. And then it is still crowded.

As far as the best NHLer discussion goes you have to determine if you count the first soviet stars in the NHL: Makarov, Larionov, Fetisov. They were all at least comparableto Malkin in their prime. Makarov was clearly better. Basically a significantly improved Ovechkin.

It is not that easy to get this title, however actually great a player Malkin may be.

 

[Atas2000]

Hart/Selke in one season does not make Fedorov better.

There is an argument to be made for either at this point. When it's over, I don't think it will be close.

Malkin will have to close out his career with a major improvement to get close to Fedorov. Do you believe he will?

 

[Ziggyjoe21]

statements like this are what make this website hilarious.

Fedorov was absolutely amazing but lets just completely forget the HALL OF FAMERS he played with "that wins"

Yzerman, Lidstrom, Shanahan, Murphy. then maybe just outside Hall, Larionov with 97pts in 150 playoff games. Also while always being an exceptional player he never came close to matching the MVP season again (96 was nice tho).


Malkins

Crosby, Letang, kessel, maybe a couple more


Ovi

Backstrom and thats a maybe that he makes the hall one day without any major awards, allstar appearances or cups.

one thing is not like the other.

What is that yellow and red logo in your avatar? Redskins?

 

[justaguy15]

What is that yellow and red logo in your avatar? Redskins?

It's the less offensive alternate logo of the "Washington D.C. football team."

 

[johan f]

There is a bunch of Russian players that easily are better than Malkin. He has an impressive frame and presence on ice but is too much a non factor when it comes to bring his unit together. If a player produce points but not a full team game that player need to score heckuva points to make up for the introvert type of game . Sure he has good vision but still hangs on the puck too much, very similar to Ovechkin when it comes to how they approach their teams and in what manner.

Fedorov, Dats, Bure, Petrov, Charlamov, Michailov, Makarov were better. Krutov, Larionov and Kamensky are up there too.

 

[Laineux]

Malkins not that great defensively. If you noticed, he lets up a lot of the penguins goals and the players go right by him. He's good offensively and puts up points, but his defensive game is too poor to be the best russian player of all time. Ovechkin is much better, but is a little out of his prime in my opinion. His prime was about 2 years ago.

Hilarious that you bash Malkin for his defensive play and then claim that Ovechkin is much better

 

[MaxV]

There is a bunch of Russian players that easily are better than Malkin. He has an impressive frame and presence on ice but is too much a non factor when it comes to bring his unit together. If a player produce points but not a full team game that player need to score heckuva points to make up for the introvert type of game . Sure he has good vision but still hangs on the puck too much, very similar to Ovechkin when it comes to how they approach their teams and in what manner.

Fedorov, Dats, Bure, Petrov, Charlamov, Michailov, Makarov were better. Krutov, Larionov and Kamensky are up there too.

No, not even close, sorry.

It's tough to compare modern day Russian players to Soviet era guys. With that being said, Malkin is a top 5 player of his time and one of the best Centers ever.

He has been a dominant player in the toughest league in history. A league that now features star players from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Norway and Slovenia. A league that has the deepest crop of USA, Finland and Sweden players ever.

Malkin is top 15 all time in PPG despite playing in a league that now features a new breed of goaltenders with modern, FAR better equipment.

I don't think he is the best Russian ever, but he is absolutely in conversation.

My personal top 10:

1. Fetisov
2. Makarov
3. Kharlamov
4. Tretiak
5. Firsov
6. Ovechkin
7. Malkin
8. Fedorov
9. Mikhailov
10. Petrov

 

[Caps8112]

What is that yellow and red logo in your avatar? Redskins?

guess its what the other guy who replied said. just grabbed it off a quick google search to take down the playoff one as fast as possible. Thought it was just another random redskins logo

 

[Dustin]

Not close. In both cases. Neither the best russian NHLer, nor let alone best Russian ever. Quite weird POV you have. Probabaly basically the way of the young blinded by the current stars and not actually knowing the past stars.

Fedorov was easily a better player. Skill, skating, hockey-IQ and yes, defence - off the charts. It is hard to determine if Bure was better than Fedorov due to the shortened career. And that is only the last soviet crop.

All time Malkin will not necessarily make it into the top 5(especially if we are talking players and not skaters).

Kharlamov
Bobrov
Tretiak

are basically virtually out of reach so far and I think in the near future. And then it is still crowded.

As far as the best NHLer discussion goes you have to determine if you count the first soviet stars in the NHL: Makarov, Larionov, Fetisov. They were all at least comparableto Malkin in their prime. Makarov was clearly better. Basically a significantly improved Ovechkin.

It is not that easy to get this title, however actually great a player Malkin may be.

Thanks. Now I no longer have to write it out. Your post is the literal answer to this question and should be viewed as such.

Malkin doesn't have to be the best Russian player ever to have had a great career. Even if Malkin just breaks the top 10 that would be pretty amazing considering the literal Russian Hockey builders he would be behind.