Obviously I am in the minority on this one....for sure...
And make no mistake about this...I believe Connor McDavid is a generational player in the rare air of the best to ever play the game. He also may be the most spectacular and exciting player to hit the ice since Mario. Connor plays at a speed that surpasses all others before him and his skill level is out and out beyond belief at times.
But....
Auston Matthews isn't far behind on any of that and while I only have had one season to watch him at this level (slightly more for McDavid) I already feel something else in Auston. The ability to lead and make others around him much better players. McDavid has a ton of leadership skills as well, but I don't get the same sense from his teammates that I get from Matthews' teammates... Matthews doesn't have quite the speed or skill of McDavid for sure. He scores more ugly goals, often finding openings with his shot off of other players ...but he has amazing skill as well. His breakaway goal in the final game versus Washington last year was one of the craziest skilled plays I have ever witnessed. He didn't just shoot the puck he took it flat side on his stick and lacrossed it to an exact spot while skating at a high speed forward with an immense amount of pressure on him in a deciding game.
I watched both players at the World Cup last year and it was clear McDavid's year of experience had made him more confident at that point...but now that Auston Matthews has a year under his belt....I am not sure I can say that anymore...
Matthews almost lead the Leafs past the President Cup winner in his rookie season. That accounts for something. McDavid had a hell of a first playoff run (in his second year) and almost lead the Oilers to the Conference Final...
This debate will rage for years and be more hotly contested than Sid and OV.. This is more along the lines of 99 and 66.... These players will undoubtedly face off for a Cup at some point as well...Toronto and Edmonton will be forces for a long time to come.
But at the end of the day it will be Championships that ultimately decides, because I expect the stats will favor McDavid, like they did at times for OV early on... While I get the sense there is even more there for both 97 and 34, I just sense there may be little more for #34....
Although I am quite sure most of you won't agree...
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