Nathan MacKinnon, on par with the best in business?

[authentic]

What did I just read

Look at their stats since the start of last season, better yet look at their stats with a goalie in the opposing net. MacKinnon is like a combo of Point and Kucherov with his zone entries and being a complete center on top of being just as dangerous in the offensive zone.

 

[MacMacandBarbie]

MacKinnon > Kucherov and Draisaitl.

Translated for you.

The poster seemed to be surprised that the majority of people who watch these players feel Kucherov is on the same tier as MacKinnon.

Like really who are we kidding, who watches these players and thinks Kucherov and Draisaitl are as good as MacKinnon?

The 'who' is the majority of rational hockey fans. I am surprised by your surprise.

Look at their stats since the start of last season, better yet look at their stats with a goalie in the opposing net. MacKinnon is like a combo of Point and Kucherov with his zone entries and being a complete center on top of being just as dangerous in the offensive zone.

Watch the games.

Edit: I actually dug up their stats. They both enter the zone with a near 100% accuracy rate per possession. It is no surprise though, they are two of the best players in the world, providing similar value for their teams.

 

[Panthaz89]

Before MacKinnon actually broke out and Kucherov remained at such a high level, there was a legit argument. Realistically, until last season, he had an argument to be in that spot. MacKinnon and Kucherov blew him out of the water since then.

I suggest you look at Draisaitl's placements over the past several years before saying anyone blew him out the water.....

 

[Panthaz89]

Look at their stats since the start of last season, better yet look at their stats with a goalie in the opposing net. MacKinnon is like a combo of Point and Kucherov with his zone entries and being a complete center on top of being just as dangerous in the offensive zone.

Kucherov had more points last season and even played 1 less game.

 

[benfranklin]

I suggest you look at Draisaitl's placements over the past several years before saying anyone blew him out the water.....

Did

23-24 - 47.6%+
22-23 - 48.7%+
21-22 - 36.7% +

That is the ice time spent with McDavid on the ice with him. Draisiaitl is an elite finisher and playmaker on the PP. Pretty useless everywhere else.

Kucherov had more points last season and even played 1 less game.

And lost the Hart and Lindsay in dominating fashion. Almost like points arent everything, especially empty net points. Who knew!

 

[Panthaz89]

Did

23-24 - 47.6%+
22-23 - 48.7%+
21-22 - 36.7% +

That is the ice time spent with McDavid on the ice with him. Draisiaitl is an elite finisher and playmaker on the PP. Pretty useless everywhere else.

And lost the Hart and Lindsay in dominating fashion. Almost like points arent everything, especially empty net points. Who knew!

pretending that he's much better than either of them is beyond help.

 

[benfranklin]

pretending that he's much better than either of them is beyond help.

I didnt say it, but yes this is how I rank the current players.

McDavid - MacKinnon

Kucherov - Makar

Panarin - Eichel - Kaprisov

Rantanen - Draisaitl - Pastrnak - Matthews - Crosby

 

[Video Nasty]

Hmm, I don’t think anyone thought Benn was the better player, but he was certainly getting himself into the conversation if Kane didn’t obliterate everyone in 2015-16. It’s not looking like anyone’s going to be surpassing MacKinnon by much this season.

Hmm, now what could possibly be in play here?

Yes, no one thought Benn was better—that’s why it was an embarrassment for Crosby to finish behind him twice in a row. So why could there possibly be an interest in crowning a pair of far better players than Benn, Tavares, Kane, and so on, so quickly when they had their likely peak, perfect storm seasons while McDavid was battling nagging injuries all season long?

Hmm, it’s almost as if we’re here, ten or so years later, and Crosby’s legacy must be protected because someone better showed up after him and has dominated more than even the most optimistic what if projections attributed to Crosby.

Weird how the mindset has shifted from not making stupid comments about Benn actually being better than Crosby to oh, MacKinnon in particular is better than McDavid because he had one perfect season while McDavid was injured level of stupidity?

Couldn’t possibly be Crosby fans in thinly veiled disguises protecting their hero in a roundabout way.