Nathan MacKinnon, on par with the best in business?

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

McDavid has played 15 more playoff games than MacKinnon in the last 3 playoffs, and has scored 50 points more.

And the 2022 Avalanche were indeed a better team than the 2024 Oilers. That wasn't the topic.

The 2025 Oilers look poised to run the league. Their puck luck has been terrible to start the season. But once it turns around they could be the first 16-1 of the modern playoff era.

And the question will be could MacGinnon have put up 180 points if he got to play with Bouchard.

I am firmly of the belief that Bouchard could set the defenseman record for all time points. Before he turns 30.

 

[ViD]

He’s been better than McDavid last two years

Yes, I said it

 

[Three On Zero]

Doesn’t pretty much everyone agree it’s McDavid 1A and Kuch/MacKinnon/Drai 1B?

Is there anyone who really disagrees with this beyond maybe quibbling the order of the three 1Bs?

The order is good, it’s the separation that people exaggerate. McDavid isn’t lapping the competition like many seem to assume. Kuch and MacKinnon are far closer than people will admit

 

[DJJones]

Clear number 2 imo, McDavid in the zone is still something else.

I will say his floor is a lot higher than McDavids though

 

[22FUTON9]

Kuch, Mcdavid and Mack are the top 3 forwards. Drai imo is a step behind

 

[Lonewolfe2015]

McDavid has played 15 more playoff games than MacKinnon in the last 3 playoffs, and has scored 50 points more.

While that is a ridiculous stat, seriously, isn't the point more to the original poster indicating McDavid has dominated for a longer regular period than MacK? Whereas MacK has done the same in the playoffs. Even if that's switched recently in the regular season.

I am however with the Makar narrative. I still feel like Makar is who fuels the Avs offense. MacK can do a hell of a lot on his own, but having Makar on the ice with him is a cheat code. Everyone covers MacK, he just has to find an uncovered Makar who can snipe with the best of them.

 

[benfranklin]

You realize winning a Cup is a team accomplishment right?

McDavid has played 15 more playoff games than MacKinnon in the last 3 playoffs, and has scored 50 points more.

And the 2022 Avalanche were indeed a better team than the 2024 Oilers. That wasn't the topic.

Bragging about quantity of playoff points is a team thing. Tell me about his ppg pace vs his total number.

A team winning in 16 games >>>>>>>> a team losing in 28. Which one do you think will have more individual points?

The 2025 Oilers look poised to run the league. Their puck luck has been terrible to start the season. But once it turns around they could be the first 16-1 of the modern playoff era.

And the question will be could MacGinnon have put up 180 points if he got to play with Bouchard.

I am firmly of the belief that Bouchard could set the defenseman record for all time points. Before he turns 30.

You're trying way too hard. It could be funny if you took it down a notch and we actually thought there was a little bit of maybe seriousness in there.

 

[Romang67]

Bragging about quantity of playoff points is a team thing. Tell me about his ppg pace vs his total number.

A team winning in 16 games >>>>>>>> a team losing in 28. Which one do you think will have more individual points?

McDavid scored 95 points in 53 games for a P/G of 1.79.

MacKinnon scored 45 points in 38 games for a P/G of 1.18.

So in a full 82 game regular season, their pace is the difference between a 97 point season and a 147 point season.

 

[Realgud]

People always put wayyyyy too much emphasis on regular season. If Mack produces at the level of McDavid (or even Draisaitl) in the playoffs then this argument would hold a lot more value.

 

[Sol]

I think, like Kucherov, he can hang around with McDavid. I think the reason why McDavid is considered above them is due to the longevity of his dominance, right from the get go he was among the best.

As of today though? Yeah, I would think he is there.

And then you wake up. No one can hang around McDavid. Awful take.

 

[MarchessaultCantRead]

McDavid scored 95 points in 53 games for a P/G of 1.79.

MacKinnon scored 45 points in 38 games for a P/G of 1.18.

So in a full 82 game regular season, their pace is the difference between a 97 point season and a 147 point season.

And how has that worked out for McDavid Cup wise?!

MacKinnon got a Cup with one of the worst goalies in playoff history behind him, while McDavid has continued to flounder his entire career.

However, McDavid is the king of PP and meaningless points…I’ll give him that!

 

[Bruce Granville]

He’s in the upper echelon with 97 and 86 without question. I don’t think anyone has said otherwise lol

Kaprizov and Teravainen are great, I agree.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

These threads are always odd. Mack is great, but over an x game sample size someone else is better.

 

[willy702]

Evan needs to realize every time he posts stuff like this he's a big fat jinx. MacK now going to go pointless in 4 games. Thanks for supporting the team.

 

[benfranklin]

McDavid scored 95 points in 53 games for a P/G of 1.79.

MacKinnon scored 45 points in 38 games for a P/G of 1.18.

So in a full 82 game regular season, their pace is the difference between a 97 point season and a 147 point season.

Better. Not sure why you listed pace for a regular season when the debate is playoffs though, but lets twist stats to fit whatever narrative you want. Still doesnt change the fact they lost in the playoffs despite getting two layup rounds against the garbage Pacific.

How did McDavid do when the Cup was on the line? 0 points disappearing mumble crying in the locker room while his team ignored him.

How did MacKinnon do when the Cup was on the line? 1-1 in a 2-1 victory and 2nd place Conn Smythe voting. The other best player in the world took it home. Mr Makar.

MacKinnon simply won the Cup then decided he wanted to start going after Hart trophies and hasnt looked back since. Best player on the planet the last 2 years and on his way to his 2nd straight Hart/Lindsay.

Talk to me when McDavid learns how to play defense and actually wins something.

MacKinnon - 1A
Makar - 1A

McDavid - 3

Kucherov - 4

The rest of the bunch - Draisaitl, Pastrnak, Eichel, Rantanan, Panarin, Matthews, etc

 

[kerrabria]

I've always though MacKinnon was an inefficient, overrated player. I was at the game tonight. I continued to be unimpressed.

 

[benfranklin]

These threads are always odd. Mack is great, but over an x game sample size someone else is better.

At least its a round number of the beginning of a new year instead of the random ones cherry picking x straight Jets wins (ignoring playoff losses in between) or Caufield x goals in 17 games, but conveniently stopping before at 17 games when games 18-28 had no goals.

I've always though MacKinnon was an inefficient, overrated player. I was at the game tonight. I continued to be unimpressed.

Still leading the league in points. Unimpressive.

 

[kerrabria]

Still leading the league in points. Unimpressive.

Marty Necas is third. Guess they're both a few tiers above McDavid, Matthews, and Barkov, right?

 

[willy702]

I've always though MacKinnon was an inefficient, overrated player. I was at the game tonight. I continued to be unimpressed.

One game...and you'll know

 

[GMR]

Doesn’t pretty much everyone agree it’s McDavid 1A and Kuch/MacKinnon/Drai 1B?

Is there anyone who really disagrees with this beyond maybe quibbling the order of the three 1Bs?

Matthews?

 

[ThatGuy22]

At least its a round number of the beginning of a new year instead of the random ones cherry picking x straight Jets wins (ignoring playoff losses in between) or Caufield x goals in 17 games, but conveniently stopping before at 17 games when games 18-28 had no goals.


Still leading the league in points. Unimpressive.

He was ... Kaprizov tied him in one less gane

 

[yeaher]

yes good lad

 

[Romang67]

Better. Not sure why you listed pace for a regular season when the debate is playoffs though, but lets twist stats to fit whatever narrative you want. Still doesnt change the fact they lost in the playoffs despite getting two layup rounds against the garbage Pacific.

I opted to translate the pace into the standardized number of games in the regular season instead of the standardized number of games in the playoffs because only the former exists.

How did McDavid do when the Cup was on the line? 0 points disappearing mumble crying in the locker room while his team ignored him.

How did MacKinnon do when the Cup was on the line? 1-1 in a 2-1 victory and 2nd place Conn Smythe voting. The other best player in the world took it home. Mr Makar.

MacKinnon simply won the Cup then decided he wanted to start going after Hart trophies and hasnt looked back since. Best player on the planet the last 2 years and on his way to his 2nd straight Hart/Lindsay.

Talk to me when McDavid learns how to play defense and actually wins something.

MacKinnon - 1A
Makar - 1A

McDavid - 3

Kucherov - 4

The rest of the bunch - Draisaitl, Pastrnak, Eichel, Rantanan, Panarin, Matthews, etc

Right, if you weren't interested in having an actual discussion, you could have just said so. I will say that it's a bit weird that you're making the argument that MacKinnon stopped caring about winning playoff games and instead focused on winning regular season awards, but you do you.

 

[Video Nasty]

He’s been better than McDavid last two years

Yes, I said it

You said it and anyone with a shred of self-respect is laughing. You’re essentially saying that MacKinnon’s 14 extra points in 12 more games outweighs the edge McDavid has with an Art Ross, Rocket, Conn Smythe, and 40 extra playoff points in just 15 more games—with nagging upper and lower body injuries to boot.

Of course, if it’s actually a clean two years—11/21/22 through 11/21/24, McDavid has all those things and an extra 16 points in the regular season in the same number of games.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Better. Not sure why you listed pace for a regular season when the debate is playoffs though, but lets twist stats to fit whatever narrative you want. Still doesnt change the fact they lost in the playoffs despite getting two layup rounds against the garbage Pacific.

How did McDavid do when the Cup was on the line? 0 points disappearing mumble crying in the locker room while his team ignored him.

How did MacKinnon do when the Cup was on the line? 1-1 in a 2-1 victory and 2nd place Conn Smythe voting. The other best player in the world took it home. Mr Makar.

MacKinnon simply won the Cup then decided he wanted to start going after Hart trophies and hasnt looked back since. Best player on the planet the last 2 years and on his way to his 2nd straight Hart/Lindsay.

Talk to me when McDavid learns how to play defense and actually wins something.

MacKinnon - 1A
Makar - 1A

McDavid - 3

Kucherov - 4

The rest of the bunch - Draisaitl, Pastrnak, Eichel, Rantanan, Panarin, Matthews, etc

did MacKinnon also "decide" to start his career as a 50 point player?

see, the difference is McDavid has been a constant elite player since the day he stepped into the NHL in 2015, his consistency is what separates him from the pack

7 Hart/Lindsay trophies to MacKinnon's 2
5 Art Ross trophies to Mackinnon 0
1 Conn Smythe to MacKinnon's 0
1 Rocket Richard trophy to MacKinnon's 0
7 100-point seasons to MacKinnon's 2
a 100 assist season
a top 3 points finish in every NHL season except his rookie year (congrats to Nate for finally reaching the top 2)
a PPG player in each of his first 9 seasons

pretty neat MacKinnon has had a good calendar year though...cute story