WildCard Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 (edited) So I watched Hockey Central today and something caught my attention, one of them mentioned Malkin's injury history, and how both should be in the prime of their careers. I nodded to myself and thought "well of course, Ovechkin has been tearing it up every year" then I thought about Malkin and realized he's been largely average since his one and only 50 goal season in 2011. Now, "largely" is an extremely relative word here and I mean it more in the sense that he has been average in comparison to Ovcehkin, his draft-hype, where he was drafted, and how many perceive of him as the 3-4th best player in the world. So, here is my question: Given all of the information we now know about both players, and given you have a roster with no dramatic edge in need towards RW or Center, would you still take Ovechkin over Malkin? It's center vs RW, proven Cup winner vs. stats, Ruski vs. Ruski. Me personally, I take Ovechkin. He's healthy more often, puts up better stats (albeit at a less demanding position), and is just a bigger impact than Malkin. Here are the stats for both players http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=722892 http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/o/ovechal01.html And last year nhl.com did a 2004 redo and wrote why the have Malkin edged over Ovechkin http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=722892 Edited April 7, 2015 by WildComrade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doohickie Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 I think there's no question. Ovi all the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrader Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 I wouldn't change anything either. I would be curious to see how Malkin would have produced on any other team, but unfortunately that's not possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwksndmonster Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 I've always loved Ovi. The way he plays is incredibly unique. Nobody else hits, skates, and shoots like that guy. Geno is basically Getzlaf. Still fun to watch, but not generational. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildCard Posted April 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 I modified the poll a little bit to include who you would have picked in 2004. I think that option would be dominated by Malkin because of his position, but I'm curious to find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doohickie Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 I've always loved Ovi. The way he plays is incredibly unique. Nobody else hits, skates, and shoots like that guy. Geno is basically Getzlaf. Still fun to watch, but not generational. I compare Ovi to Crosby and what you see with Crosby is a guy with a lot of talent (and sure he uses it), but also a guy that takes a lot of cheap shots and gets away with it, but when someone hits him, he's all boo-hoo. Ovechkin might not have the pure talent that Crosby has (though he is a better shooter), but at least he plays an honest game. If he's gonna hit you, it's up front, not some sneaky slew-foot. And when he gets crushed he bounces back up and skates back into the play, no crying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildCard Posted April 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 I will say this for Crosby, he will at least drop the gloves. Though I agree with your assessment about Ovechkin's whining, or lack-thereof; the dude really does not complain, at all. One of my favorites hockey gifs http://i.imgur.com/PUJwYbh.gifv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doohickie Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Yeah that's pretty awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattPie Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 I compare Ovi to Crosby and what you see with Crosby is a guy with a lot of talent (and sure he uses it), but also a guy that takes a lot of cheap shots and gets away with it, but when someone hits him, he's all boo-hoo. Ovechkin might not have the pure talent that Crosby has (though he is a better shooter), but at least he plays an honest game. If he's gonna hit you, it's up front, not some sneaky slew-foot. And when he gets crushed he bounces back up and skates back into the play, no crying. I think Danny Briere might object to that statement. I'm not anti-Ovechkin, but it's not like he's completely clean either. I went just to find the clip of Db getting boarded and found this. #6, oddly enough, is a slew-foot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabres Fan in NS Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Malkin. Not an Ovechkin fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doohickie Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 (edited) I think Danny Briere might object to that statement. I'm not anti-Ovechkin, but it's not like he's completely clean either. I went just to find the clip of Db getting boarded and found this. #6, oddly enough, is a slew-foot. I won't disagree. I think he's cleaned up his game some. It might also just be perception. I just see Crosby as a little weasel and Ovi as a lumbering bear. One might make the argument that Ovi is more of a GMTM-type player. Edited April 7, 2015 by Neuvichs Perchatka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueBlueGED Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 If I could erase Malkin's injury history I'd take him. I think the talent is close enough where I'd grab the center. However, that's not really possible, is it? I enjoy watching Ovechkin more than any player in the league, and he's basically never hurt, so I'll take him. But without the injuries I don't think this is nearly as clear cut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wjag Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Ovi, by the slightest of margins for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peppy22 Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 There has not been a better pure goal scorer in the last decade or more. When it comes to goal scoring I even put him ahead of Stamkos or other great goal scorers... So Ovechkin all the way for me,. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Ovi. Total package. Power, finesse, nasty, dominating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubkev Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Ovi, one of the most entertaining players ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I am Defecting Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 Crosby vs. Ovechkin is still a debate. Hockey is different than soccer,. In hockey, fans and evaluators put very much significance into second assist, often, when it is all tallied up at the end of season, ranking it on par with goal scored. Highest point total is held in higher regard than most goals scored. Art Ross Trophy is both older and better known than Rocket Richard Trophy. In soccer, there is no stat counting second assists, and goals are held in much higher esteem than helpers. I don't have a good argument for why so much value is placed on assists in hockey, compared to soccer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drnkirishone Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 Ovi all day any day. Ovi has so many check marks on my must have great player list. fast skater? yep great shot? you bet loves to shoot the puck? ooo ya willing able and wanting to lay people out? yep listening to him talk do you question his sanity? check sure he has some bad traits too. back checking? ...it could be called that leader? ummm not really coach killer? you may have stats to prove a case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Amerk Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 Which one has more photos with animals? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.