The word on the street is becoming deafening...
Is Auston Matthews better for his team and Connor McDavid is the better raw talent?
Is Matthews actually Crosby and McDavid is Ovechkin?
And on July 1 will Matthews' contract surpass the mammoth contract signed by McDavid? I talked to a long time Canadian hockey guru who is very familiar with the inner workings of the Maple Leafs and asked him that exact question.
"No doubt he will be," the source said when asked if Matthews will be the NHL's top earner. "Unless he decides to take less because Tavares wants to come home to play."
"Really? Didn't know that was a possible factor."
"Oh for sure," the source continued, "it is a growing conversation amidst the leadership in the front office."
But first, we should discuss the fact that Matthews is having a major impact right now and his team looks more solid than an Oilers team where McDavid has a year head start. In my opinion, McDavid is by far the best player to play the game at high speed, but when I watch Matthews and the Leafs I get a sense that Auston is making those around him better...
That could of course be a coaching issue or a talent issue, but the talent levels are pretty similar...
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— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) August 2, 2017