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Nicklas Backstrom vs Evgeni Malkin

Created by: AnalyticsGeek
Team: 2019-20 Washington Capitals
Initial Creation Date: Nov. 26, 2019
Published: Nov. 26, 2019
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeni Malkin are undoubtedly amongst the best centers in their generation. Who do you guys think has been the better player?
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2020
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ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
22$81,500,000$71,829,295$1,150,000$632,500$9,670,705
Left WingCentreRight Wing
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$9,538,462$9,538,462
LW
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$3,900,000$3,900,000
C
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RW
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$3,350,000$3,350,000
LW
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$6,700,000$6,700,000
C
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$5,750,000$5,750,000
RW
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$2,750,000$2,750,000
LW
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C
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$1,375,000$1,375,000
LW, RW
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C, LW
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$800,000$800,000
C, RW
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$750,000$750,000
C
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Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
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$1,275,000$1,275,000
LD
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$8,000,000$8,000,000
RD
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$6,100,000$6,100,000
G
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$2,500,000$2,500,000
LD
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$2,345,000$2,345,000
RD
UFA - 1
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$925,000$925,000 (Performance Bonus$550,000$550K)
G
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$1,250,000$1,250,000
LD
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LD
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Nov. 26, 2019 at 1:41 p.m.
#1
hey look a squirrel
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It's not even close, Malkin hands down.
Nov. 26, 2019 at 1:42 p.m.
#2
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Malkin by far
Nov. 26, 2019 at 1:43 p.m.
#3
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Auston Matthews
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Nov. 26, 2019 at 1:45 p.m.
#4
Formerly Jamiepo
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Malkin
Nov. 26, 2019 at 1:58 p.m.
#5
Hop on the Slaftrain
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Malkin
Nov. 26, 2019 at 2:05 p.m.
#6
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Malkin is a top 100 player all time, regardless of the NHL list a couple of years ago. If he'd been born in North America he'd be on that list all day, every day. He was the #3 active player at the time behind only Sid and Ovi.
Not to impugn the excellence of Backstrom, but Malkin has proven time again that he can carry his team w/o an elite player alongside him. He's still an elite player and better now than Backstrom ever was. He's a superstar who delivers in the biggest games.
Nov. 26, 2019 at 2:12 p.m.
#7
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really like Backstrom but Malkin and its not even close
Nov. 26, 2019 at 2:25 p.m.
#8
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I think it's a story of two different players. Looking at points and offensive production, it's hard to argue against Malkin being the better player. I think the unsung quality that Backstrom has is his overall two-way game. I'm having trouble finding the exact record, but the Caps do not fare very well when he's not in the lineup.
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Nov. 26, 2019 at 2:48 p.m.
#9
Caps fan idk why
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Malkin but that’s being said backstrom is one of the most overlooked players in the nhl. Backstrom is elite but will never get credit. The guy is an absolute stud, both players are but malkin is better. Malkin is a top 3 player of his generation so only 2 guys are better than him. Ovi and Crosby
Nov. 26, 2019 at 3:01 p.m.
#10
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Geno
Nov. 26, 2019 at 3:04 p.m.
#11
torontos finest
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malkin is in the tier above backstrom.
Nov. 26, 2019 at 3:20 p.m.
#12
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Quoting: staytru20
I think it's a story of two different players. Looking at points and offensive production, it's hard to argue against Malkin being the better player. I think the unsung quality that Backstrom has is his overall two-way game. I'm having trouble finding the exact record, but the Caps do not fare very well when he's not in the lineup.


Yes, I agree. Backstrom is a very good two-way player. He consistently finishes in the top 10-20 for Selke voting. However, Malkin is a big, physical power-forward who has the skill-level and creativity of Kane. So, who do you take?
Nov. 26, 2019 at 3:20 p.m.
#13
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Quoting: mondo
malkin is in the tier above backstrom.


Do you think Malkin is a top 3 forward of the Crosby-Ovechkin era?
Nov. 26, 2019 at 3:22 p.m.
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Quoting: Brian2016
Malkin is a top 100 player all time, regardless of the NHL list a couple of years ago. If he'd been born in North America he'd be on that list all day, every day. He was the #3 active player at the time behind only Sid and Ovi.
Not to impugn the excellence of Backstrom, but Malkin has proven time again that he can carry his team w/o an elite player alongside him. He's still an elite player and better now than Backstrom ever was. He's a superstar who delivers in the biggest games.


I agree, if the NHL top 100 players list was made now, surely Malkin would get in.
Nov. 26, 2019 at 3:23 p.m.
#15
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Quoting: Capitalfail67
Malkin but that’s being said backstrom is one of the most overlooked players in the nhl. Backstrom is elite but will never get credit. The guy is an absolute stud, both players are but malkin is better. Malkin is a top 3 player of his generation so only 2 guys are better than him. Ovi and Crosby


Agree, Backstrom is an elite player no doubt. I think in his prime, he was a 92 rated player. What'd you think?
Nov. 26, 2019 at 3:24 p.m.
#16
torontos finest
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Quoting: MikeyThePensFan
Do you think Malkin is a top 3 forward of the Crosby-Ovechkin era?


i think he's in the same place as those two guys so yeah.
Nov. 26, 2019 at 3:25 p.m.
#17
Caps fan idk why
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Quoting: MikeyThePensFan
Agree, Backstrom is an elite player no doubt. I think in his prime, he was a 92 rated player. What'd you think?


I’d say is lowest I’d ever rank him would be 88. Highest would be 92-93. Guy put up 100 points and played on a line with a defensively incompetent Ovechkin.
Nov. 26, 2019 at 3:30 p.m.
#18
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Quoting: Capitalfail67
I’d say is lowest I’d ever rank him would be 88. Highest would be 92-93. Guy put up 100 points and played on a line with a defensively incompetent Ovechkin.


Backstrom's 2-way game is really underrated because his playmaking is so good. Ovechkin was such a good offensive player in his prime though. Not just his shot, but he was so fast and strong on the puck, could walk past opposing players with ease. I think he was a 96-97 rated player in his prime. What'd you think?
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Nov. 26, 2019 at 4:56 p.m.
#19
Caps fan idk why
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Quoting: MikeyThePensFan
Backstrom's 2-way game is really underrated because his playmaking is so good. Ovechkin was such a good offensive player in his prime though. Not just his shot, but he was so fast and strong on the puck, could walk past opposing players with ease. I think he was a 96-97 rated player in his prime. What'd you think?


Oh yeah. He is imo the greatest goal scorer ever
Nov. 26, 2019 at 5:42 p.m.
#20
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Quoting: Capitalfail67
Oh yeah. He is imo the greatest goal scorer ever


I think the greatest left winger of all time.
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Nov. 29, 2019 at 9:48 a.m.
#21
MK57
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Even though Caps red runs in my veins, have to say Malkin. 130 more points in 52 fewer games. Almost twice as many GWG. Backstrom does have a few things in his favor - better relative advanced metrics (although not by much), and his offensive vs. defensive zone starts are much more even than Malkin (62.2% career OZs% which is unreal). So you could potentially make the argument that Backstrom has been a better player for his team than Malkin has, but from an overall skill and ability perspective, Malkin is a step ahead. In an all-time draft, Malkin is probably a late 2nd/early 3rd and Backstrom is more like a 5th rounder.
Nov. 29, 2019 at 9:56 a.m.
#22
MK57
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Quoting: Brian2016
Malkin is a top 100 player all time, regardless of the NHL list a couple of years ago. If he'd been born in North America he'd be on that list all day, every day. He was the #3 active player at the time behind only Sid and Ovi.
Not to impugn the excellence of Backstrom, but Malkin has proven time again that he can carry his team w/o an elite player alongside him. He's still an elite player and better now than Backstrom ever was. He's a superstar who delivers in the biggest games.


Quoting: MikeyThePensFan
I agree, if the NHL top 100 players list was made now, surely Malkin would get in.


That list was kind of a joke...so heavily skewed toward early hockey icons and then weirdly the Blackhawks. Like, we get it, pay respect to the guys who put hockey on the map but would anyone really take Sid Abel over Malkin, or a handful of other guys? Not a chance.
Dec. 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.
#23
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Malkin has more offensive skill than Backstrom. However, considering all aspects of the game, on ice, off ice, salary, etc... I'll take Backstrom.
Dec. 2, 2019 at 2:05 p.m.
#24
Who adds what?
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Malkin is a 50 goal scorer, and that's more valuable than any player who isn't. But Backstrom is a better passer, and just commenting that Backstrom played with Ovechkin is not the whole story.

30 goal scorers Malkin's played with: Recchi, Crosby, Kessel, Kunitz, Neal, Iginla, Sheary, Hornqvist, Hossa, etc.

30 goal scorers Backstrom's played with: Ovechkin, Clark, Oshie.

30 goal scorers Malkin's played with who have gotten 30 goals without having to play every game on his line: Recchi, Crosby, Kessel, Kunitz, Neal, Iginla, Sheary, Hornqvist, Hossa, etc.

30 goal scorers Backstrom's played with who have gotten 30 goals without having to play every game on his line: Ovechkin.

So I agree that goal scoring makes Malkin more valuable, but people claiming Malkin could be as good as Backstrom at assists if he just had better guys to pass to? You're drunk.
 
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