Mackinnon has another gear, both in terms of speed and in terms of how dominant he is in big games/playoffs. To me, I haven’t been impressed with matthews in the playoffs at all. If im building a team, it's for the playoffs. Mac has been completely dominant in the playoffs. To me this is this diffrence between a pretty hard to call pick-em

Comparing someone in their prime production years to someone who is just entering them is silly. It's not an apples to apples comparison.

Mackinnon right now by a bit. Would look like Matthews is trending past him.

A lot of people saying Matthews doesnt have a complete game which is downright dumb. He's great on both sides of the puck. I think people discount him because he really makes the game look easy, staying in the right lanes and never wasting energy. Just a theory

MacKinnon is favored here.
But I would rather have Matthews, simply because he is 2 years younger and conceivably has not even peaked yet.
But if I were in the play offs right now it would be MacKinnon!
There are harder decisions in life. Having either one of these fine players would be a blessing!

MacKinnon easily.

Put both names in a hat, and I wouldn’t care who’s name was pulled. Can’t lose.

I said he isn't going to "slow down", not you.
- Cooshie

I apologize for misinterpreting what you said.

Yep

Leaf haters whiffing badly on this obvious question
- Zezel

With the exception of a couple posts here and there I do not see this evidence of Leaf hating.

When you equate not picking "your guy" as hating, it makes you look insecure.
It's not like they are picking K. Connor over Matthews or something.

Well, the name of the game is putting the puck in the net. And AM is better at doing that. So AM it is. I have no idea how he does it but he has that knack for doing it. Hate to admit it as a Flyers fan, but it is what it is. And NM is an awesome player. I'd take either of them. Better yet, both on the Flyers.

I’d say it’s similar to the Crosby vs. ovi debate from ten years ago. One is an elite goal scorer, the other is better in just about every other area.

As far as where Matthews projects to be by the time he’s Mackinnon’s age depends on himself. He has definitely showed he has the ability to move into the next tier. What’s stopping him is that he turns on the switch to play like that when he wants to. If he doesn’t he will still a great goal scorer but it will be that 100% relentless game breaking effort every shift that keeps him from being in the Crosby, mcdavid, mackinnon tier
- RedC21

excellent comment!
agreed

With the exception of a couple posts here and there I do not see this evidence of Leaf hating.

When you equate not picking "your guy" as hating, it makes you look insecure.
It's not like they are picking K. Connor over Matthews or something.
- Nasty_Duck

Even when people try to disguise their leaf hating, it’s still there just under the surface. Maybe you have to be a Toronto fan to see it.

These same people would probably rank Matthews behind about 14 other players.

Well, the name of the game is putting the puck in the net. And AM is better at doing that. So AM it is. I have no idea how he does it but he has that knack for doing it. Hate to admit it as a Flyers fan, but it is what it is. And NM is an awesome player. I'd take either of them. Better yet, both on the Flyers.
- Letterkenney

Even when people try to disguise their leaf hating, it’s still there just under the surface. Maybe you have to be a Toronto fan to see it.

These same people would probably rank Matthews behind about 14 other players.
- shack67

Well it's not like my team gets lots of love either...

Well it's not like my team gets lots of love either...
- Nasty_Duck

Jack Edwards might give enough love for everyone

Well it's not like my team gets lots of love either...
- Nasty_Duck

True. But if Bobby Orr was a leaf he would be hated.

Where's your source for pp time then?

ATOI...
Mackinnon.. 17:21 / 17:03 / 18:52 / 19:57
Matthews .. 17:38 / 18:08 / 18:33 / 20:58

Does not seem like Mack averaged more than Matthews.

https://www.hockey-refere.../players/m/mackina01.html
- Nasty_Duck

13-14 / 14-15 / 15-16 / 16-17 / 17-18 / 18-19 / 19-20
Mackinnon: 2:20 / 2:26 / 2:54 / 2:46 / 3:36 / 4:05 / 4:07
Matthews: Null / Null / Null / 2:29 / 2:09 / 2:34 / 3:12

MK: 2:36 over first 4 years, last 4 years 3:38
Mat: 2:36 over first 4 years

Too tired to go back and see who is claiming what, but here are the TOI on PP for each player since Mack started. MK had ~0:10 more TOI average than Matt in the first 3 years, but year 4 Matt had more. Matts most TOI is nowhere near any of Macks last three years.

https://www.hockey-refere..._skaters-time-on-ice.html

With the exception of a couple posts here and there I do not see this evidence of Leaf hating.

When you equate not picking "your guy" as hating, it makes you look insecure.
It's not like they are picking K. Connor over Matthews or something.
- Nasty_Duck

It isn't overt, but I think the key thing to note is how many people immediately and definitely said Mackinnon and then proceeded to make up narratives, as well as ignore numbers as the discussion expanded.

I think the most telling comment is, what if the sweaters were reversed.

Does anyone seriously believe the vote would favor Mackinnon? If the sweaters were reversed everyone would be pointing out how much better Matthews first 4 years were.

It isn't overt, but I think the key thing to note is how many people immediately and definitely said Mackinnon and then proceeded to make up narratives, as well as ignore numbers as the discussion expanded.

I think the most telling comment is, what if the sweaters were reversed.

Does anyone seriously believe the vote would favor Mackinnon? If the sweaters were reversed everyone would be pointing out how much better Matthews first 4 years were.
- Aetherial

Or, maybe people don't like the Leafs because the fans act like a bunch of big (frank)ing babies?
"Waaah! No one like my team!!"

McKINNON AT 6.3 MILLION IS A LOT BETTER THAN MATTHEWS AT 11.5, THATS ENOUGH TO RESIGN A DEFENSEMEN

Today: mac over Am. Cap wise, not even caparable.
Starting a franchise: matthews.

Who knows what matthews will become after hes been in the league the same amount of years as mac.

It isn't overt, but I think the key thing to note is how many people immediately and definitely said Mackinnon and then proceeded to make up narratives, as well as ignore numbers as the discussion expanded.

I think the most telling comment is, what if the sweaters were reversed.

Does anyone seriously believe the vote would favor Mackinnon? If the sweaters were reversed everyone would be pointing out how much better Matthews first 4 years were.
- Aetherial

But that goes back to my original response to some of the posts...
The question was not "who had the best 4 years" or "who has the best career average" or "who has the best potential/future".

It's simply "who is better".
And it's a lot closer than either side portrays.

Matthew's for sure

McKINNON AT 6.3 MILLION IS A LOT BETTER THAN MATTHEWS AT 11.5, THATS ENOUGH TO RESIGN A DEFENSEMEN
- Ging72

Mack makes 6.3 because he had stats like William Nylander his first 3 yeears.

With the exception of a couple posts here and there I do not see this evidence of Leaf hating.

When you equate not picking "your guy" as hating, it makes you look insecure.
It's not like they are picking K. Connor over Matthews or something.
- Nasty_Duck

Everyday there are signs of bias due to leaf hating. Even bloggers here do it. Ty Cameron's blog naming Toronto as the NHls biggest mess was hilarious. I'm sure if Florida Panthers had the Leafs core we wouldn't hear that.

I prefer the way Mackinnon plays, but Matthews goalscoring is pretty tough to argue with.

End of the day I think Matthews has the ability to have a bigger impact on any individual game.

Everyday there are signs of bias due to leaf hating. Even bloggers here do it. Ty Cameron's blog naming Toronto as the NHls biggest mess was hilarious. I'm sure if Florida Panthers had the Leafs core we wouldn't hear that.
- RogerRoeper

Why do you have a bias against any team that is not the Leafs??