William Nylander has really broken out this season as a truly spectacular player, so I would like to know how he compares to someone like Evgeni Malkin. Leaf fans love to bring up his impressive advanced analytics. Looking at those stats, it definitely appears that Nylander is more capable of making contributions in the offensive zone since he has significantly higher GAR, CF/60, G/60 & P/60. In fact, Nylander is amongst the top players in the league in this category. However, I still find it hard to accept that Nylander is better than Geno. It just doesn’t seem possible. Who do you guys think is better?

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What’d you guys think?

While tagged, even if i should be biased as a Swede, Malkin comparisons start with Sundin and Forsberg.......Nylander is miles away from that.....for now

Clearly Malkin, not even close

Stop it

Malkin, not even close.

This seems like two random players to compare. Phil Kessel is someone that is probably a better Comparison. And I think Nylander on his way to having a better career due to more versatility in the offensive zone (Kessel does one or two things really well).

Malkin.

Well I’m stating facts. Nylander’s analytics are off the charts.

Yeah personally I do believe that Malkin is a top 30 or 40 player of all time but looking at Nylander’s advanced analytics, you have to give it some doubt that he’s the better player.

How do you think this year’s top overall pick Lafreniere compares to Nylander in terms of talent?

Well I decided to compare one player who is at the top in analytics to another who has consistently been considered as a top 5 player in the league that doesn’t have his stats to see what is actually better. I do agree on the Kessel comparison, they do have similarities especially with the way they carry the puck and enter the zone. Nylander is better at driving the play and generating chances but keep in mind Kessel was a 38 goal 80+ point player. So Nylander still has some way to go before he reaches that.

Malkin a centre and has been his entire career. While Nylander can play centre he doesn't do it full time or even in a regular basis. Malkin is clutch and has produced and carried his team in the playoffs and has 3 cups and a conn smyth. While Nylander may be comparable skill wise I haven't seen him take over a game like Malkin has (albeit I don't get to watch a lot of Toronto games where I'm not cheering for one of my teams). Nylander to me seems more like a draisaitl or someone like that. Where he can definitely be good but has yet to successfully run his own line for a significant period of time. Malkin is still a top 10 centre and is hands down better than nylander in my opinion

They are but this isn't close

I agree but the eye test, Malkin’s skillset is far better than Nylander’s.

I agree, he has more power, size and a bit of grit to his game. He uses his size well and I think his shot is better than most

Dude wtf is this

An eye test vs analytics comparison.

love me some ? ? ? ? ? ? ? but malkin is the better player.

I would have to agree.

Malkin is outperforming Nylander in both EV and PP RAPM, GAR, xG%, CF%, GF%, and pretty much all Rel stats.

No Lafrienere will be light years better than Nylander. Not a knock on Nylander but Lafrienere is gonna be an elite elite franchise player

So was Hughes, he may still be, but he's been less than expected. Every year the media claims the top pick is going to be a super elite. Everything is blown out of proportion constantly these days. From game to game the TO media will say TO is the cup favourite and then they will miss the playoffs.

I get what ur saying but I feel like laf is different. We’ve been hearing about him since he was like 14-15

I am just having trouble believing anything that I hear these days. Everything is hot takes, speculation and overreactions. Its stupid as hell.