Joined: Mar. 2017
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Comparing the two players without regard of contract, control and position is difficult because of the age difference. RNH turned 25 in the offseason while Patches will be 30 a month into the season - essentially 5 years older. If you compare Nuge's career numbers with Pacioretty's AT THE SAME AGE, it's not clear Patches is the better player.
RNH: 457, 119-194-313, 0.68 p/g, 11.5 SH%
MP: 246, 68-85-153, 0.62p/g, 9.5 SH%
If Nugent-Hopkins plays the next 5 years with McDavid, it's a near certainty that his career numbers at 30 will be better than Pacioretty's. Besides, we can expect Patches to decline, while Nuge is still in his prime years.