I’m kinda speechless at the talent evaluation that this thread has produced.
Tage is amazing but his style of play is very far from what the nhl wants. This imo leads to his extremely sporadic deployment and heavily restricts winger options. It really clobbers Buffalo from a matchup perspective. Tage is extremely flawed relative to the modern nhl expectation and roles.
Larkin is an above average guy, doesn’t have the top end that Tage’s shot and drive provides, but he plays much closer to the game the nhl wants. Much more complete player. Can run possession, finish, net front, kill penalties, can center his line as a shutdown or counterattack. Can use him in various typical roles and he does well. Really not restricted with him unless the opponents happen to have something freakish like McDavid and then he needs help like most anybody else.
I highly doubt that there is a single gm who would say 1 Larkin is worth 2 tages. He’s worth more than 2 tages. Tage Thompson would be worth more if the nhl were a skill competition but it isn’t, it’s a team sport. I do have to say tages game could improve. Perhaps by the end of his career will see him grow to the level that he can be relied on for more than 1 thing.
Larkin is a guy who will be a first line center in all conditions for 10+ years, a guy who will substantially define multiple decades for a team.
Thompson is a guy who needs 22 and 23 year olds to start in the defensive end so he can get the offensive zone starts while they’re in trade rumors. He’s like they stretched out Matt Duchene then that guy had a baby with Matt Hoffman. He’s fine but it’s disrespectful to Larkin to consider them similar imo.
