Purely? I'd go with Malkin.
Although Crosby knows how to rack up goals. I wouldnt be surprised if Crosby put up 65+ he just does it in so many different ways. Idk pure goal scoring Malkin edges him because of his pure dominance,size And strength. Although I think Malkin wont score as many in his peak as Crosby.
Crosby on the ice the puck goes in the net very often in a lot of way in this sense he his the best goal scorer in the two, because of his hockey sense.
Better shot, ability to beat a defensemen and score, etc... Malkin is as good or better.
4 years ago I would have said Malkin without thinking twice.
Now I'd have to say Crosby in the same sense. Crosby is a player that if he concentrated on only goals he could have 70 right now, that's how good he is.
Malkin has a way better shot (both his snap/wrist shot and his slap shot), more impressive 1-on-1 dangles, and is just more of a shooter in general. However, Crosby scores better around the net on tips and garbage goals, he goes harder to the net in general, he has a dirty backhand, and he just knows where to go on the ice.
I'd be inclined to give the slight edge to Malkin, he's more of a natural goal scorer while Crosby is more of a natural play maker, but what Crosby was doing last year makes me not so sure. Before the winter classic, where he had his first concussion, he had 32 goals (and 65 points) in just 39 games, I have trouble seeing Malkin ever quite hitting 60 goals, while Crosby seemed to show that 60 looks possible for him.
Malkin is a better shooter, but Crosby has the goal scoring sense that can't be taught.
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Originally Posted by ponder
Malkin has a way better shot (both his snap/wrist shot and his slap shot), more impressive 1-on-1 dangles, and is just more of a shooter in general. However, Crosby scores better around the net on tips and garbage goals, he goes harder to the net in general, he has a dirty backhand, and he just knows where to go on the ice.
I'd be inclined to give the slight edge to Malkin, he's more of a natural goal scorer while Crosby is more of a natural play maker, but what Crosby was doing last year makes me not so sure. Before the winter classic, where he had his first concussion, he had 32 goals (and 65 points) in just 39 games, I have trouble seeing Malkin ever quite hitting 60 goals, while Crosby seemed to show that 60 looks possible for him.
Crosby could easily hit 70+ he's the greatest talent since lemieux and Gretzky themselves. If goal scoring picks up in the NHL he's the only player I see that can break #99's records.
Malkin seems to have more of a prototypical shooter's arsenal (wicked one-timer and slapshot, fluid wrist shot, longer stick with more of a curve, etc.), but Crosby has better goalscoring instincts and has better scoring touch around the net.
Purely? I'd go with Malkin.
Although Crosby knows how to rack up goals. I wouldnt be surprised if Crosby put up 65+ he just does it in so many different ways. Idk pure goal scoring Malkin edges him because of his pure dominance,size And strength. Although I think Malkin wont score as many in his peak as Crosby.
Crosby could easily hit 70+ he's the greatest talent since lemieux and Gretzky themselves. If goal scoring picks up in the NHL he's the only player I see that can break #99's records.
I'd say that talent wise Crosby is in the category with Jagr, Yzerman, Messier etc. Not above or below them. Also, prime/peak Ovechkin is at the same level.
Lemieux, Gretzky and Orr are untouchable at the moment.
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Exhibit A as to how hockey doesn't matter on ESPN:
Last night an ESPN program was discussing how the Detroit Pistons needed a hero citing the heroes on the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions and no mention of the Detroit Red Wings. All this despite the Red Wings probably being the most succesful team in Detroit right now.
I'd say that talent wise Crosby is in the category with Jagr, Yzerman, Messier etc. Not above or below them. Also, prime/peak Ovechkin is at the same level.
Lemieux, Gretzky and Orr are untouchable at the moment.
They're pretty even, imo. I always thought, before they actually did, that they could both be 50 goal scorers. Now that they've done it, I don't know if I could say who is better. I'd go with Crosby though just because he has won the Rocket.
