McDavid-Matthews comparsion needs to end now
From the very moment that Connor McDavid's feet first touched the ice on his local rink in Newmarket, Ontario, it was beyond evident that he possessed talent that does not come around very often. Once every generation some may say. His talent was so clear, he would be repeatedly compared to the likes of Sidney Crosby from his early teenage years. Meanwhile, over 3,600 kilometers away in Scottsdale, Arizona, another young sensation was making his mark in an area where hockey was anything but mainstream. Had Auston Matthews been born 2 days earlier than his September 17th, 1997 birth date, he and McDavid would have been drafted into the NHL the same year. If that scenario was reality, McDavid would have still been drafted 1st overall, while Matthews would have likely been drafted 3rd. In that case, Matthews would have never been selected 1st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL Draft. Toronto, being the place where Matthews is already becoming the poster boy for a legion of fans, itching for some sense of optimism after years of failure.
Matthews was the 2nd player the Leafs selected first overall in franchise history. The first player being Wendal Clark back in 1985.
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It is easy to say that McDavid and Matthews will be elite talents in the NHL for years to come. There is simply no denying that. But after Matthews set a modern NHL record, scoring four goals in his NHL debut versus Ottawa, the media has been endlessly asking just how far behind the skill of Matthews is compared to McDavid. Well, here is a blunt answer to that question. 'Who Cares?'. It simply does not matter. The two youngsters have very little in common, other than both being 1st overall picks in their respective drafts, being line mates for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and both being centermen. Their styles of play are also completely different. McDavid is a speedy playmaker. The true definition of 'generational talent'. He has the ability to dazzle the crowd in all three zones of the ice. Matthews, on the other hand, is a two way centre, using his size and weight as a valuable asset to create chances all on his own. He has an incredible eye for goal scoring and will one day be a surefire Number 1 Centre in Toronto.
On October 5th, 2016, McDavid was named the 15th Captain in Oilers history. This also made him the youngest captain in NHL history at just 19 years and 266 days old.
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This unnecessary comparison is just the media desperately trying to spit out a news story. It is time to stop. Instead of putting already unneeded pressure on the two youngsters who are both in two beyond intense hockey markets. Everybody just needs to sit back, relax and be happy with the fact that we have the honour of enjoying these unbelievable talents first hand. Enjoy it, people. Don't critique it.
