You like Eichel, Matthews or Larkin

[kingsholygrail]

Eichel feels like a medium between Larkin and Matthews.

 

[Johnny Tomala]

Eichel.

 

[Sharksfan66]

This thread will be funny to look back on when Matthews breaks Ovi's goal record

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Eichel was not the best player in their cup run but he did have a great playoff I'll agree with that.

Stat watchers awarded the Smythe to Eichel online, weird to say stat watchers gave it to Marchessault, when Eichel had finished with more points LOL.

Marchessault scored all the clutch goals, not sure what games you were watching, or if you watched.

Eichel set him up for wide open looks all playoffs. He was doing all the heavy lifting. Marchessault was just the trigger man.

Regardless, where was this "Conn smythe" Level performance from him in Buffalo ? Joins a team that was already in the finals and a favorite to win it all, and then wins.

I know you absolutely hate Toronto but get real man lol. I got no beef with anyone wanting to pick Eichel in this poll, that's totally ok with me. But citing that he's some clutch playoff performer who shows up when it matters, when he literally captained the worst team possibly in NHL history for almost a decade and couldn't even sniff a playoff spot is pretty laughable.

Buffalo was terrible, can't blame 1 player for an entire franchise being garbage.

All we know is that Eichel has been a beast in the playoffs.

And I have no hate against Toronto. I have been picking them as cup finalists for years.

You talk about Toronto being stacked and not being able to win in the playoffs, meanwhile Eichel had ROR ( a guy you brought up) In Buffalo as well as Sam Reinhart, and forget playoffs, I don't think they finished higher than 11th in the East during his tenure there. But you're trying to say he's some clutch performer who shows up in big games, yet he couldn't even perform in the regular season for damn near a decade ?

Talk about his versatility being able to play a complete game on both ends and being an elite playmaker and a good shooter. That's fine. But he's now a clutch playoff performer and ignoring the previous like 8 years ? Come on lmao.

He is a clutch playoff performer based on the sample we've seen of him playing in the playoffs.

 

[Mr Kot]

OP's title makes it sound like he's demanding that I like them.

 

[NVious]

Honestly contract included, I'm not sure how much better Matthews is than Larkin. He is absolutely 100% more talented, but his failures in the playoffs and biggest moments make me question whether or not at 13.5 vs 8.5, the 5 million could not be used to compliment Larkin.

At this point it's a wash between them, Matthews is the most talented, Eichel has had the best playoffs, Larkin is great value at his contract and is a good 1C.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Matthews is a beast in big games. Big game player.

 

[AvroArrow]

And I have no hate against Toronto. I have been picking them as cup finalists for years.

LOL. Alright man

Buffalo was terrible, can't blame 1 player for an entire franchise being garbage.

Yet you brought up the fact that the Leafs only won 1 round. You can blame Matthews for that though right ?

 

[StlBigFly]

I’m a Larkin Stan but Eichel and Matthews are a tier above.

I’d build a team with Larkin vs the other two because I like deep teams. I like how much you get for how much you spend.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Yet you brought up the fact that the Leafs only won 1 round. You can blame Matthews for that though right ?

I don't blame Matthews for Toronto's failure nor Eichel for Buffalo's.

I was pointing out how 1 player can't win hockey games, and how it's not an easy to have success regardless of how strong your team is.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

He wasn't "The guy" on the team, he went to a team of established winners and stars. That team featured Stone, Pietroangelo, Theodore, and Marchessault was phenomenal. IMO Eichel was the runner up for the Smythe, but no it wasn't his team. Buffalo was his team.

Leafs have been good, not even close to stacked lol. The defensive personel has been below average, our best defender for years was Rielly. We've never had reliable goaltending until now.

Leafs also played some of the most difficult matchups, a lot harder to win a series against those Bergeron Boston teams, or Tampa or Florida.

Year 1 they faced the caps, who won the cup the following year. Lost to a very good Boston team twice, who went to the final, lost to Montreal who went to the final, lost to this decades best team in Tampa, who won 2 cups and made 4 finals in the last 10 years and lost to Florida. You have to pull through at some point, I get it, but they played some really solid teams and lost what like 5 game 7s ?

But yeah the Leafs haven't even been remotely close to as stacked as how Vegas was.

Losing to last years Boston team was not a good look though. Yeah I get he was dinged up but losing to Boston matched up against Coyle & Zacha probably brings him back even with Eichel.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Eichel feels like a medium between Larkin and Matthews.

So true.

Question, each guy has played at least two games. Who has played the best so far?

IMO its been Larkin, Eichel & Matthews.

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

Eichel had very good skills in Sabres . No other player could do the stuff he did so he is missed for that . But Matthews is better goal scorer and has different types of skills so its hard to compare them. I would say Matthews more value but eichel has enormous skills

 

[JackSlater]

Eichel is a player who makes you nervous when he is against you. Matthews isn't at this point, and as much as I like him Larkin isn't and won't be that guy.

 

[fansse]

This is not a serious poll lol all GMs in the league would pick Matthews in a heartbeat

 

[KillerMillerTime]

This is not a serious poll lol all GMs in the league would pick Matthews in a heartbeat

I didn't poll NHL GM''s and Matthews is closer to Larkin in votes
than Eichel.

 

[Snuggs]

Meh... the other two are better and much more talented than Larkin.

Larkin is this era's Mike Modano. Very good, possible Stanley cup winner/HOF'er(at some point career isn't over) with respectable numbers but not really with the top guys.

Larkin, no disrespect belongs in conversation with guys like J.T. Miller who is also a very good player.

 

[Silky Johnson]

Nobody cares about the past. He looks like a elite grinder. Makes no impact

Ignore the past at your peril.

Matthews is pacing for 92 points and 41 goals while being defensively responsible - on a DOWN YEAR. Which is 1 year removed from him putting up 69 goals.

I don't know what your definition of impact is....

Once again, I f***ing hate defending a maple leaf but reality is what it is.

 

[PaulD]

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

70 if you include play offs

 

[bobholly39]

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

I don't think OP is saying those are the 3 best centers in US history.

I think OP is saying there has never been 3 better US centers in history that are born one year apart.

I honestly don't know off hand if that's true, but it seems quite plausible.

I'd probably already rank Matthews as the best center in US history. He's a phenomenal talent and having a great career, even though his playoffs are disappointing. And unless he steps up big time in the finals, this is going to be another big blemish on his record.

 

[Tie Domi Esquire]

Eichel and Larkin are way better than Matthews. Matthews doesn't know the meaning of compete and even less about being a leader. Probably the most overrated player I've seen in my lifetime.

 

[north21]

Eichel and Larkin look the best in the past 3 games, little doubt Matthews is injured.

 

[Crow]

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?

They are all good two way players.

I’ll take Matthews. Might be the best defensively of all three at this point.

I’d consider Eichel due to health. Matthews seems to have more chronic problems.

 

[HanSolo]

He wasn't "The guy" on the team, he went to a team of established winners and stars. That team featured Stone, Pietroangelo, Theodore, and Marchessault was phenomenal. IMO Eichel was the runner up for the Smythe, but no it wasn't his team. Buffalo was his team.

Leafs have been good, not even close to stacked lol. The defensive personel has been below average, our best defender for years was Rielly. We've never had reliable goaltending until now.

Leafs also played some of the most difficult matchups, a lot harder to win a series against those Bergeron Boston teams, or Tampa or Florida.

Year 1 they faced the caps, who won the cup the following year. Lost to a very good Boston team twice, who went to the final, lost to Montreal who went to the final, lost to this decades best team in Tampa, who won 2 cups and made 4 finals in the last 10 years and lost to Florida. You have to pull through at some point, I get it, but they played some really solid teams and lost what like 5 game 7s ?

But yeah the Leafs haven't even been remotely close to as stacked as how Vegas was.

Marchessault was phenomenal because of Eichel. I don't want to detract from Matthews necessarily because he's obviously an elite talent, but you're sure doing a lot to discredit Eichel on your end. Vegas' offense runs through Eichel almost exclusively. Without him, and with their inconsistent goaltending, they probably wouldn't even be a playoff team this season. And that's before you get into his excellent defensive play.

Eichel isn't a product of the talent around him. He's someone that drives and enhances that talent.

 

[HanSolo]

Eichel was not the best player in their cup run but he did have a great playoff I'll agree with that.

Stat watchers awarded the Smythe to Eichel online, weird to say stat watchers gave it to Marchessault, when Eichel had finished with more points LOL.

Marchessault scored all the clutch goals, not sure what games you were watching, or if you watched.

Bold 1: he absolutely was. He was the best defensive forward on a team with Mark Stone and William Karlsson and he led the team in points. He was also the only player to consistently play his ass off even in the few turd losses the Knights put up on that run. Rest of the team would check out, he'd be getting after it every shift.

Bold 2: Not sure what games you were watching. At least 65% of Marchessault's goals that run were off seam passes from Eichel right to Marchy's tape. The latter deserves credit for having the finish on his shots, but Marchy straight up does not have a Smythe worthy run without Eichel's play driving. I don't even know how that's debatable for anyone who actually watched the games.