Value of: Poll: You can sign only one of Horvat or Larkin (potential UFAs). Who would you pick?

[BFLO]

I think they get the Barzal contract. And whichever teams sign them come to regret it.

 

[M2Beezy]

Huge Larkin fan here saying this is clearly Horvat

 

[Hierso]

I'd go with Larkin if we're talking a long term deal. Horvat is playing out of his mind this season but i really don't see him keeping up with his 24,1% shooting percentage.

 

[TGWL]

My team lacks speed. I want Larkin.

 

[biturbo19]

Yeah I think either one of these guys could reach a new level getting into a better environment. Or not.

I'm not sure about this in Horvat's case tbh. An actual strength of his game, is that he's shown that he doesn't always need the best quality linemates. It helps obviously, but he's also spent a lot of time in a position that does flatter his production. With top-end linemates and top-PP time and utilization. He might look better as a "2-way player" in a situation where he's no longer asked to shoulder such a heavy load defensively/matchups-wise...but then, that leveraging is part of why people find him so valuable in the first place. So overall, you'd be eating into what it is that you're buying into.




All that said, on same-same contracts, i'd still take Horvat over Larkin. Not by a wide margin, and i think Larkin's advantage in skating probably helps make those extra contract years more palatable. I worry about Horvat in that regard. But Horvat for all the exaggerated defensive acumen, still always just feels like one of "those guys" that you ultimately win with. He's got that "heart and soul" sort of "pulse of the team" factor that is really hard to pin down. But Larkin doesn't really have for me.

 

[Unsustainable]

Larkin, he would be able to match speed with Necas on the wing.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Huge Larkin fan here saying this is clearly Horvat

What's the point of lying?


Anyway, this us definitely Larkin.

 

[LemonSauceD]

Really depends on what your team needs are.

Horvat and Larkin are both similar in value. Horvat brings size/strength, strong cycle play/board control, face offs, PP, and can score goals around the net and off rushes. Defensively he’s so-so, by no means a defensive forward. Plays like a bruiser and has those “intangibles”.

Larkin brings A LOT of speed, skill, drives play, better defensively, and plays more of a run and gun style hockey. Likes to be physical moreso than Horvat although Horvat plays more of a heavier game. Not sure if Larkin is good at faceoffs or not.

Player for player i do think Larkin takes the edge. But it’s not by a landslide, therefore certain teams will probably prefer one over the other because they address their needs better.

Both are going to be overpaid in 6 months though lmao.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Larkin not even close

No joke. Crazy to think otherwise

 

[CBJx614]

Why does everyone keep talking about Larkin in UFA, is there something I'm missing? In what world does Detroit let him walk and in what world does Larkin not want to be in Detroit?


Red Wings Larkin: ‘Don’t See Myself Playing Anywhere Else’

"I don’t have any updates for you guys,” Larkin pointed out. At the same time, he wasn’t seeking to create any cause for alarm.

“I don’t see myself playing anywhere else,” Larkin quickly added.

 

[gritdash60]

Larkin, hes the captain of wings and will be for a long time. You need to give McDavid level center for me to vote otherwise.

 

[Djp]

Neither if the money/ length is too high.

 

[Jerkbait]

Lets say your team is shopping around for a top 6 C. Both Horvat and Larkin are demanding something comparable (7 year contract).

Both players, want to sign with your team. But you can only sign one due to cap space availability.

Which premier 2023 center UFA would you pick?

Larkin...

 

[puckinyourteeth]

The fact that Horvat is scoring at this pace, at this stage in his career means he has way more to give than Larkin, whom another poster said has plateaued. If I’m right and you put Horvat on a team with a real system, he may blow the doors off.

 

[puckinyourteeth]

I'm not sure about this in Horvat's case tbh. An actual strength of his game, is that he's shown that he doesn't always need the best quality linemates. It helps obviously, but he's also spent a lot of time in a position that does flatter his production. With top-end linemates and top-PP time and utilization. He might look better as a "2-way player" in a situation where he's no longer asked to shoulder such a heavy load defensively/matchups-wise...but then, that leveraging is part of why people find him so valuable in the first place. So overall, you'd be eating into what it is that you're buying into.




All that said, on same-same contracts, i'd still take Horvat over Larkin. Not by a wide margin, and i think Larkin's advantage in skating probably helps make those extra contract years more palatable. I worry about Horvat in that regard. But Horvat for all the exaggerated defensive acumen, still always just feels like one of "those guys" that you ultimately win with. He's got that "heart and soul" sort of "pulse of the team" factor that is really hard to pin down. But Larkin doesn't really have for me.

All you need to do is look back at how Horvat dominated the St. Louis playoff series a couple of years ago. He looked like a man possessed. Which also reminds me of how Ryan Kesler dominated the predators during their cup run. It’s my hope that Podkolzin has that edge to him when he gets back up with the big club….he seems to be cut from the same cloth.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

Larkin all day. Larkin deserves a better team as well as Horvat. I think everybody assumes Larkin is going to resign but I think he might be traded at the deadline if there is no contract.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Larkin AINEC

 

[Sun God Nika]

Larkin easily.

You just want that high compete level with all the other shit he brings.

 

[Canadian Canuck]

Larkin is a top 5 speedster in the league, A solid 200 foot player Career average of 0.72 over an 82 game schedule during his career. Until this season Horvat had one 61 point season. Larkin has 73, 69 and 63 plus is on pace for 76 this year. Plus Larkin is a year younger than Horvat. I would take Larkin over Horvat any day of the year.

Larkin is the go to player for Detroit. Horvat is not. That being said, I’d take Larkin.

 

[Sinistril]

Not saying Horvat doesn't have this in him, but he has been blessed with some decent top 6 forwards over his career in Van (despite how shitty the team overall is, and compared to Detroit's forwards).

I have seen Larkin play numerous seasons now, without that luxury. and while scoring points, and while not giving up on a season when it's clear they don't stand a chance of making playoffs. All while saying all the right things in the media.

Now Horvat has shown he is of that ilk for sure, as Canucks are not that great of a team either, and he always plays hard. But I'll go with what I've seen so far, and not what I THINK the other player could have done in the same situation

Van has had better top 6 forwards, Horvat hasn't played with them

 

[Nucker101]

Larkin easily.


Horvat is just on a hot streak with 53 goals in his last 85 games.

I’m not buying that he got better after changing the flex on his stick and getting away from the coach who just went winless in the Spengler Cup with Team Canada who had won 4 out of the last 5 tournaments

Edit: Make that 54 goals in his last 86 games

 

[Fogelhund]

Lets say your team is shopping around for a top 6 C. Both Horvat and Larkin are demanding something comparable (7 year contract).

Both players, want to sign with your team. But you can only sign one due to cap space availability.

Which premier 2023 center UFA would you pick?

How do you afford either one of them?