NHL's Top 50: Malkin vs. Ovechkin

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FanHouse's Adam Gretz takes a look at his top 50 players in the NHL. Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin and Washington's Alexander Ovechkin are his top two. See who he has as his No. 1 player.

The NHL's Top 50 Players: See the Entire List

For the past four years, the NHL has been trying to artificially create some sort of Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird rivalry between Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. While doing so, it overlooked a far more intriguing matchup (I think) in Ovechkin vs. Evgeni Malkin. And for a while, the two appeared to generally dislike each other, and sometimes it showed on the ice (though, it was all friendly belly rubs at this year's All-Star game). They're both from Russia, were roommates during the 2006 Olympics, and were selected with back-to-back picks during the 2004 NHL Entry Draft (Ovechkin went first, Malkin second).

Over the past two years, they've separated themselves from the pack when it comes to being the most dominant players in the league. They've finished in the top-two in scoring the past two seasons, each leading the league once (Ovechkin in 2007-08, Malkin in 2008-09). As a center, Malkin has more defensive responsibilities than Ovechkin and actually led the league in takeaways this season, ending Pavel Datsyuk's two-year run as the league leader. Ovechkin is the NHL's most prolific goal-scorer, leading the league two years in a row, and is the flashier player that can make highlights not only for his unthinkable goals, but also for his physicaility.

Here's how they compare statistically over the past two seasons, just as an example as to how close they are offensively.

Malkin vs. Ovechkin: 2007-2009
Evgeni Malkin	Category	Alex Ovechkin
82	Goals	121
137	Assists	101
219	Points	222
1.33	Points/Game	1.37
.0609	Points/Minute	.0598
.0529	Even-Strength Points/Minute	.0505
.0933	Power Play Points/Minute	.0929

Offensively, the numbers are nearly identical. Ovechkin has a slight-edge in the raw point total and in terms of points-per-game, while Malkin has a slight advantage in points-per-minute. It all comes down to what your preference is: a play-making franchise center, or a goal-scoring franchise wing. Personally, I take Malkin as my No. 1.

And now, your obligatory YouTube videos. First, for the runner-up Ovechkin, I direct you to Slap Shot Blog's greatest hits compilation. Finally, my best player in the NHL, Evgeni Malkin ...

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

8-12-2009 @ 10:48AM

geoffball said...

Thank you for not copping out and calling it a tie. I feared you'd do that from the title of the article.

My 2 cents. I'll take Ovechkin. I think his leadership qualities are very underrated. I believe his infectious and youthful enthusiasm permeates the Washington locker room. That really motivates a team full of young players. He's the happiest guy on the team when someone else scores or makes a good play.

He is a puck hog, but that's his role. He shoots more than anyone else, but as a result he scores past unsuspecting goalies. These are goals that have changed games.

He has a rap for not playing defense well. That's a fallacy. Again it's not his role. When push comes to shove and he is asked to play defense or gets put in the position due to a breakdown, he'll break plays up.

I'm not taking anything away from Malkin (or Crosby or Zetterburg or Datsyuk or Iginla or Thornton). The talent level is incredible. The top players may be the best group there's ever been. But OV is my #1.

8-12-2009 @ 10:56AM

John said...

Again, total shocker the Pens blogger puts both Pens guys too high on his list. The whole list is a waste of time when the creator can't take off his black and gold glasses even for a second to show even a hint of objectivity. Anyone with a hint of credibility knows the top 3 is 1.Ovechkin 2.Malkin 3.Datsyuk. I am a Wings fan, and I personally would take Datsyuk 1st, but I know in the grand scheme of things that's probably not the true reality. I wish Gretz would have put him homerism aside for just a second.

8-12-2009 @ 11:05AM

gusty said...

Please, could you be more of a homer? I'm sure your craptastic list will make Malkin forget that the players and the (real) writers have picked Ovechkin over him for the last two years. Now go back to your mom's basement and hug your inflatable Stanley Cup.

8-12-2009 @ 11:13AM

darci said...

Obviously all the Wings fans will object to this list as you all wear "red & white glasses" - The list in MY opinion, should have been #1-Malkin, #2-Crosby, #3-Datsyuk, puck hogs shouldn't even be on here. And pretty sure if Adam was biased towards the Pens, Flower would have been in the top 50!

8-12-2009 @ 3:10PM

StevefromSacto said...

If you honestly believe that Alex Ovechkin is not one of the top three players in the NHL today, I'd suggest you stick to the NBA,

8-12-2009 @ 3:34PM

@Steve-Ovechkin can SCORE! But he is NOT a "team" player. If you think hockey is a me, me, me sport, maybe you should switch to gymnastics! Ovechkin can keep his "MVP" awards, pretty sure Malkin is happier with the Conn Smythe! When Ovechkin wins a Cup, then maybe I will have him in the top 3 on MY list, until then, he isn't even in my top 5! Its a LIST, and OPINION, we are all entitled to have one in America - stop the crying - ya BIG babies!

8-12-2009 @ 5:08PM

FranzenFan93 said...

actually this list was biased to the pens. anyone who watches datsyuk play knows he is better than crosby. and ovechkin is the number one player in the nhl. face it that guy is amazing. my only other problem with this list is with lidstrom. he should at least be top 5. and im not wearing my "red and white glasses".-RW2010

8-12-2009 @ 12:54PM

maynard69 said...

simple does ov have a cup ????????
NO
have the caps went to the cup show?????
NO
pens went last two years !!!!!!
WHY
malkin and crosby nuff said!!!!!!!!

8-12-2009 @ 5:17PM

true ov doesnt got a cup

yep the caps havent gone to the finals with ov

and yes the pens have gone to the finals the past 2 years- the first year they were talented but not good enough for the wings and this year they won but not because of crosby and malkin- because of the refs and bettman NUFF SAID

8-12-2009 @ 5:49PM

Cleetus Awreetus said...

What I find hard to believe is that in this list there is no slot for Marc Andre Fleury. The man was the only starting net minder throughout the playoffs. He had one, maybe two so so games, but with the offense oriented game that the Pens play, he is lucky he didn't require a puckectomy! But yeah, Malkin 1, Owretchskin 2 and Syd the Kid at 3 works form me. Personally though, I wonder how Owretchskin will do next year with a bum knee? Mwahahahahahaha

8-12-2009 @ 1:06PM

claytor said...

As much as i normally disagree with Adam, outside of Crosby and Pavel switching places, the top five(ten actually) were pretty spot on.

I too have admitted as much in saying id take Malkin or Pavel one-two, both being interchangable, because their two way game exceeds that of either Sidney or Alex, but frankly speaking, you couldnt go wrong with any of the four. The Pens made up for Sids lack of defense by picking up tougher wings at the deadline for him to play with, and Alex is in a fierce offensively based system making teams outscore them.

The Selke is a BIG deal to me, it means not only is that guy playing solid offense, but he can shut down the guy he faces as well, to me, thats what Pavel has signified, and now Evgeni does too.

If Adam were such a "Crosby nuthugging homer", he wouldve picked Sid no.1 but instead he demonstrated that he too understands the value of an all around game, and still got to eat his cake too in making Malkin the top player.

My top three wouldve been

1)Malkin
2)Datsyuk
3)Ovechkin

Its been fun tracking these players the last couple of week, thanks for giving each team a bit of a nod, i understand that now after initially wondering why Backstrum made the list, but a decent list overall, with plenty of info on these players backgrounds and talents.

8-12-2009 @ 1:28PM

Gurn Z b said...

the whole argument of points per minute is bs. for every goal scored (ovie takes the cake in that department by a long shot) there are TWO assists given. for an assist, you SHOULD get half a point... meaning malkins points would drop off significantly, because he doesn't put as many POINTS ON THE SCOREBOARD. yeah, ovie doesn't have a cup, but also malkin and crosby couldn't do it without help from the refs. check out the stats on penalties called for and against during the playoffs.

how many MVPs does malkin have? who beat malkin out for MVP this season, but a landslide of votes? what does MVP mean? i think the answer to these questions proves you wrong.

oh, and which player actually has a highlight reel?

8-12-2009 @ 1:56PM

speaking of homers - LMAO! The topic was best hockey "player", not best scorer. And who gives a shit who won MVP. Pretty sure Malkin is happier with the Conn Smythe trophy! MVP goes to the player who's team would basically suck without him, as yes, the Caps would definitely suck even more without Ovechkin. Besides, this is ADAMs list - not yours. When you become a reporter, make your own list! If I made a list, Ovechkin wouldn't even be in my top 10. He is nothing but a me, me, me player. Maybe he could win a cup too if he realized hockey is a "team" sport!

8-12-2009 @ 4:35PM

"You all forget, this is Adam's list. When you all become reporters"....Adam and reporters, now those are two words you don't hear mentioned together very often. I think Bob Woodward just died so he could roll over in his grave.

8-12-2009 @ 5:28PM

Goolian said...

Great list that sparked a lot of fun conversation. Thanks for all the hard work putting it together.

The fact that people are only quibbling about moving people a few spots up and down (and being homers) speaks to the quality of the work.

8-12-2009 @ 2:24PM

Cory said...

I gotta say Ovechkin is better. Gurn makes a good point about assists and I don't know how Ovechkin scoring 39 more goals in the last two seasons alone can be ignored. That's an average of about 20 goals more a season. That's ridiculous. Then you add in the fact he's won the last two Harts, Pearson's, and Richard's as well as the Art Ross in 2008 while narrowly losing it this year(if he plays the full season he probably wins it) and I don't know how you can say he's not #1.

8-12-2009 @ 2:33PM

Again, its because of Malkins defense. He also had 36 more assists than Ovechkin had, so that 20 points per year thing swings both ways. Peoples common excuse for Crosby is oh who does he have on his line? Yet theres Malkin, who isnt exactly playing with the All Star team on his line, either.

He led the league in takeaways, thats A LOT of pokechecking/frustrating/breaking up offensive plays in motion. This is something Ovechkin, given the luxury of his position, doesnt have to do, giving him less responsibility on the ice.

8-12-2009 @ 2:53PM

dicer23 said...

It's Ovechkin with any doubt. Malkin has Crosby to feed him the puck. Ovechkin, during the time period in the article, was playing with Semin who was injured and just came into the light and Backstrom who has come out of nowhere. So, in the beginning it was Ovechkin and Ovechkin only. Malkin has always had significant help up front. I would rather watch Ovie over Malkin anyday.

8-12-2009 @ 3:31PM

duke krek said...

Crosby doesnt even play on the same line as Geno....other than the power play.

8-12-2009 @ 3:02PM

wackenpuss said...

All things considered Crosby would be my first overall choice. Oveckin would be second followed by Malkin then Luongo and maybe given his age Getzlaf would round out the top five.

The Crosby haters yap about what he doesn't do. But if a draft was held today. It would be a two horse race between Crosby and Ovechkin as to who went first. Nobody else would even be considered.

Crosby / Malkin is already well on the way to being one of hockey's legendary one two punch's

Bossy / Trottier
Gretzky / Messier
Lemieux / Jagr