Watching last nights skills competition was such a joy. We have never had this kind of influx of new young talent. Ever. Between Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Patrick Laine, Nathan MacKinnon... And so many others who aren't even at the event... The NHL has certainly reached a new level when it comes to talent.
The only difference between this group and Sidney Crosby is that Crosby came a few years earlier. And also Crosby has fulfilled everything he set out to do. Which is perhaps the most remarkable part of him.
Be here come McDavid and Matthews... And they're already so close to Crosby and his talent the the only thing separating everyone now may be those accomplishments. You can argue they aren't as good as Crosby is yet, but it is becoming harder to argue they aren't better than Crosby was in his first or second year.
So will either be better? And how much better? Could either approach "Gretzky-like" levels?
Today's All-Star game will be a blast to watch, because younger players always put everything they have into All-Star games. And when younger players challenge older players we get what we got in the World Cup of Hockey with team North America. Nonstop excitement.
I know many of you out there aren't going to watch the All-Star game because All-Star games are...well lame.
There's a good chance this one won't be.
Who wins today?
My prediction...The Atlantic Division over the Pacific in the Final. Matthews tops McDavid. But anything could happen!