You like Eichel, Matthews or Larkin

[KillerMillerTime]

Best three USA centers born within a year in US Hockey history. Each one brings different strengths.

Some people will say not a chance Larkin belongs in the conversation but Larkin is a very good two way center.

What you say?

Click to read more...

 

[a mangy Meowth]

Some people will say not a chance Larkin belongs in the conversation

In this one? He doesn't

 

[MNRube]

Eichel is the best overall. Two-way beast. Controls the game in a way Matthews can’t. Larkin a clear tier, or three, below.

 

[Magic Mittens]

Eichel easy

Matthews scores during the regular season, but can't find that other gear in the playoffs. Maybe one day he will, but Eichel steps up in the playoffs.

 

[hockey webcomics]

eichel

 

[MessierII]

Do you have to pick one?

 

[DownIsTheNewUp]

All 3 great players but I'll take the one who's scored 69 goals.

 

[Ignatius]

Eichel makes the biggest difference with the puck and Matthews without the puck. Larkin is a high-end 2C (1C if there are no better options) or an elite 3C on a stacked team like Team USA

 

[elmaco]

Eichel ainec

 

[koyvoo]

Matthews has a generational compete level and such an insatiable will to win that it’s driving this entire American effort, so he’d be my pick.

This is a guy who elevates his game and competitiveness in the biggest moments with incredible consistency. His ne er say die attitude is an inspiration for less naturally competitive guys like the Tkachuk brothers, Miller and Trocheck etc.

 

[Divine]

Eichel easy

Matthews scores during the regular season, but can't find that other gear in the playoffs. Maybe one day he will, but Eichel steps up in the playoffs.

Eichel's playoff stats are marginally better than Matthews despite playing for a better team. Eichel also couldn't even make the playoffs until he was traded to a team that went to the Finals without him. Matthews also for some reason gets punished for making the playoffs at a young age and Eichel benefits because he never made the playoffs until he was in his prime when you compare career stats and not comparable age/experience stats.

I'd go for the 69 goalscoring Selke-finalist instead.

There's a reason Matthews was named captain even though Eichel has more experience being captain (Buffalo).

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

Eichel makes the biggest difference with the puck and Matthews without the puck. Larkin is a high-end 2C (1C if there are no better options) or an elite 3C on a stacked team like Team USA

I don’t really think Larkin belongs in this conversation with Matthews and Eichel. That being said, Larkin is a PPG C for 4 seasons now on a team that has mostly sucked. He’s not a third line center on any team.

 

[matsqq]

Eichel is much more of a playmaker that seldom disappears completely like so many others do.

I think he is the most important forward in team USA right now

I also think he was a key factor when Vegas won the SC

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

This is clearly Eichel. He's just an absolute beast in tight checking hockey.

Eichel is much more of a playmaker that seldom disappears completely like so many others do.

I think he is the most important forward in team USA right now

I also think he was a key factor when Vegas won the SC

Agreed, he really should have won the Conn Smythe.

 

[D Wakaluk]

I took Eichel and Larkin, can't have Nostrils around weakening morale and eating cap

 

[waitin425]

Me say Eichel.

 

[HabsCode]

Best three USA centers born within a year in US Hockey history. Each one brings different strengths.

Some people will say not a chance Larkin belongs in the conversation but Larkin is a very good two way center.

What you say?

Best 3 centers in US Hockey history? Either I didn’t understand the OP, or you forgot names like Modano or Roenick?

 

[Mulletman]

The thread title asks if we like Eichel, Matthews or Larkin, not who's the best player. Eichel and Matthews are easily top 10 most disliked hockey players active right now. Personally I like Matthews since he plays for my Leafs, but dude has so many unlikeable things going for him that I can see would piss off most people. Eichel personally I can't find anything likeable about. Would guess Larkin would win as most likeable out of these players, since he can go pretty much under the radar playing in Detroit.

 

[JohanFranzenstein]

Larkin is a left handed Eichel

Very similar players

 

[Staniowski]

Personally, I have always liked Larkin's game the best, beginning when they were all teammates at the WJC, where Larkin and Werenski were arguably the team's two most effective players.

Larkin is a great skater and can score goals, and he's smart and determined. His game is taylor made for this type of competition.

Matthew's and Eichel are very talented.

Ultimately it would depend on the situation.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Larkin is a left handed Eichel

Very similar players

Similar styles, Eichel is just significantly better and that’s honestly not even close.

I don’t think there’s a wrong choice between Eichel and Matthews. Both are franchise level number one centers. Matthews is a generational goal scorer, and Eichel has the ability to just take over an entire game without scoring a goal. Larkin is awesome, but clearly a tier or two below the other two

 

[a mangy Meowth]

Ultimately it would depend on the situation.

In Larkin's case, it would depend on the situation not being a hockey game

 

[centipede2233]

Matthews and I don’t like matthews at all. But he is the only superstar of the three

 

[Nadal On Clay]

I’ve been saying for some time that I’d take Eichel over Matthews if I was given the choice. Eichel’s offensive versatility is the deal breaker to me. He doesn’t have the flashy RS numbers Matthews have (Or the trophy cabinet) but he seems to always bring it up a notch when the lights shine the brightest.

 

[dirtydanglez]

eichel. matthews fell off a cliff. he was suppose to be the next ovi.