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Evgeni Malkin believes Patrick Kane is better than him

The debate has been raging on social networks for the past few days. Who’s better? Evgeni Malkin or Patrick Kane? Everyone has their own opinion, but one of the two main players has spoken out on Instagram.

Evgeni Malkin himself has admitted that Patrick Kane is better than him.

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“88” – Evgeni Malkin on Instagram

It’s all well and good to be humble, but I sincerely think Malkin is better than Kane. Yes, there’s a debate to be had, but Malkin has done a lot more than Kane in my opinion.

It’s a very close debate. Both players have won three Stanley Cups in their careers, not to mention a Conn Smythe, a Calder Trophy and a Hart Trophy each. Malkin, on the other hand, has two Art Ross trophies, while Kane has just one.

In fact, what differentiates the two players is the peak of their careers. Malkin was completely dominant from 2008 to 2012, collecting a total of 442 points in 349 games. He reached the Stanley Cup Final with the Penguins in 2008, but Pittsburgh lost to Detroit. He bounced back in 2009, however, lifting his first career Stanley Cup.

During this period, Malkin won the Hart Trophy in 2012, but also finished second in voting twice during this window. In fact, Malkin was probably the league’s second-best player during that 5-season window, just behind teammate Sidney Crosby (perhaps 3rd with Alex Ovechkin ahead).

During his career-best 5 seasons, from 2015 to 2019, Kane collected 445 points in 388 games. That’s three more points than Malkin, but he also played 39 more games.

In fact, Kane was able to take advantage of Jonathan Toews’ presence to manage the defensive game. Evgeni Malkin, on the other hand, was always behind Sidney Crosby, a bit like Leon Draisaitl, who is currently behind Connor McDavid, but is still defined as the NHL’s second-best player.

I believe that if Malkin had played for another team, he wouldn’t have three Stanley Cups, but he would definitely have been recognized as a greater player in NHL history.

As I said earlier, Malkin can handle the game defensively. Kane, on the other hand, has much more difficulty in his own zone.

Still, both have had superb careers and deserve a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

So, who do you think is better? Patrick Kane or Evgeni Malkin?


In brief

– An all-Quebec team. Doesn’t sound bad.

– They’ve got nothing to lose.

– Jake Evans could be on his way out this season.

– Blue Jays save the day.

– I don’t think there was any real shortage of them.

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