FinlandPanther
Registered User
Oh it’s enough and quite easily. There are probably 31 GMs that would take Rantanen. And Tre only takes Matthews to protect his loser feelings
Matthews vs Rantanen - Better player?
- Thread starter Miro4Norris
- Start date
M88K
irreverent
- May 24, 2014
- 9,873
- 9,360
Why not as this is the entire narrative being pushed here right?
I guess summer is already here for some people.
This thread is wild. As others have mentioned, I doubt the op would’ve even considered making this two weeks ago — at least not without expecting it to be heavily in Matthews' favour. It feels like the only reason this poll was posted now is because Rantanen is riding a high after that Game 7 hat trick and continued playoff success, while Matthews is coming off a low where his team just got eliminated last night. This isn't a genuine comparison—it’s a poll heavily influenced by recency bias. We're not having this discussion if Rantanen didn't have that 14 points in 4 games stretch.
Matthews is an MVP-caliber player, and I’d take him because my team would be better with him on it. Sure, Rantanen might be more of a clutch performer, but that doesn't mean much if the team can't even make the playoffs. Where’s that clutchness going to take you if Rantanen is coasting through the regular season looking disengaged? Yes, Matthews still needs to elevate his game in the playoffs, but overall, he’s simply the better hockey player.
Matthews is an MVP-caliber player, and I’d take him because my team would be better with him on it. Sure, Rantanen might be more of a clutch performer, but that doesn't mean much if the team can't even make the playoffs. Where’s that clutchness going to take you if Rantanen is coasting through the regular season looking disengaged? Yes, Matthews still needs to elevate his game in the playoffs, but overall, he’s simply the better hockey player.
John Mandalorian
2022 Avs: The First Dance
- Nov 29, 2018
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There was a thread about Brady T compared to Marner. Go look at it and all the comical flexing by Leafs fans about Marner’s obvious superiority in hindsight.
HockeyWooot
Registered User
- Jan 28, 2020
- 2,376
- 2,612
Rantanen. When you’re comparing elite players who are likely HOF bound, Po performance even more pertinent in my view.
Rantanen has developed and adapted his game to the playoffs.
Matthews has not, yet. Not to say he couldn’t i hope he gets there.
Rantanen has developed and adapted his game to the playoffs.
Matthews has not, yet. Not to say he couldn’t i hope he gets there.
I think one factor that comes into play is - when a player is as great as McDavid - the other team put in a tremendous effort to stop him - that opens up for other lines if you have a great second or third line.
Now for Rantanen - Dallas is a very deep team , not as dependent on one line - maybe one of the deepest in offensive talent - it is much harder to stop every line in Dallas - this is an environment in which a player like Rantanen thrived, especially after the trade to Dallas when the playoffs started.
They underestimated him, but the more points he makes, the more attention he will get - which might open up for other lines.
Now for Rantanen - Dallas is a very deep team , not as dependent on one line - maybe one of the deepest in offensive talent - it is much harder to stop every line in Dallas - this is an environment in which a player like Rantanen thrived, especially after the trade to Dallas when the playoffs started.
They underestimated him, but the more points he makes, the more attention he will get - which might open up for other lines.
- Oct 26, 2019
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If everything is factored in then I take Rantanen.
That is factoring in the cost savings that lets you bring in another player, the fact that Rantanen will show up in the playoffs and has played and won in the Finals, and the fact that their overall offensive numbers are not that far off. You give up maybe 10-15 goals per regular season that you could get pretty close to with the contract difference between em and you gain a significant difference in the playoffs.
If contracts dont factor in at all and its just who do you pick then its probably Matthews since hes going to get media attention that sells tickets and his regular season stats put him in that generational category, though not quite on a McDavid level its pretty amazing stuff.
For ANY regular season game, especially one that doesnt matter, Matthews is easily the better player on both ends of the ice though. Its possible that someday regular season Matthews shows up in the playoffs in which case Rantanen loses, but as of right now if the game really matters I want Rantanen.
That is factoring in the cost savings that lets you bring in another player, the fact that Rantanen will show up in the playoffs and has played and won in the Finals, and the fact that their overall offensive numbers are not that far off. You give up maybe 10-15 goals per regular season that you could get pretty close to with the contract difference between em and you gain a significant difference in the playoffs.
If contracts dont factor in at all and its just who do you pick then its probably Matthews since hes going to get media attention that sells tickets and his regular season stats put him in that generational category, though not quite on a McDavid level its pretty amazing stuff.
For ANY regular season game, especially one that doesnt matter, Matthews is easily the better player on both ends of the ice though. Its possible that someday regular season Matthews shows up in the playoffs in which case Rantanen loses, but as of right now if the game really matters I want Rantanen.
- Jan 24, 2021
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You clearly havent watched the Stars then. For example, in Jets series, Jets shutdown line (Lowry line) played almost all their shifts vs Rantanen line(sometimes it wasnt possible if Stars were playing home ofc). Result: 1 useless goal by other 7 ”star” forwards in 2-4 lines in a series. They are just fake deep team right now until someone shows up in playoffs. Quite like Matthews is a fake superstar.
But i get it, thats the new excuse because you cant say that MacKinnon is carrying him anymore
lawrence
Registered User
- May 19, 2012
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It’s tough to definitively say who’s better. Matthews is a more pivotal player for his team and a natural goal-scorer. This isn’t to say Rantanen isn’t exceptional he’s benefited from stronger teammates in Colorado and now, of course, with the Dallas Stars. Matthews has never enjoyed the same level of support as Rantanen.
- Jan 24, 2021
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Matthews has played these playoffs with Marner and Knies. I dont think Granlund and Hintz are better players? The other lines in Dallas has been complete no-shows and Miro has been out of the lineup. Sounds like an amazing suppport. Meanwhile, Florida’s selke-line Barkov-Reinhart had to shutdown Tavares and Nylander at home instead of AM line because FLA knew Matthews wont do anything
jalapenoWithAnH
Registered User
- Mar 25, 2025
- 216
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Matthews literally has a top 10 point producers on his team and many times on the same line. He also has Nylander who is a top 20 guy.
Point per gamer totals (regular season and playoffs) in the 2020s:
So Rants in Avs: MacKinnon #3, Makar #12
Matthews in Toronto: Marner #7, Nylander 18#
Rants in Dallas: Robertson 19#
I am not exposed
Registered User
Rantanen is more clutch/uses his abilities better, Matthews is the better player. Results are not always the same as abilities. That said id choose Rantanen for my team.
I mean, say, Claude Lemieux was likely a better playoff performer than Joe Thornton but the latter was still the better player. Same applies here, to a much lesser degree obviously.
I mean, say, Claude Lemieux was likely a better playoff performer than Joe Thornton but the latter was still the better player. Same applies here, to a much lesser degree obviously.
Canadiens Ghost
Mr. Objectivity
Rantanen.
Matthews has more talent but won't pay the price. Rantanen does more with the talent he has.
Matthews has more talent but won't pay the price. Rantanen does more with the talent he has.
