McDavid or Matthews? Jets star says No. 97 is tops
WINNIPEG So about that Who’s Better question, Auston Matthews or Connor McDavid?
The fuelled controversy was started by folks in the Centre of the Universe who are pumping the tires of the Toronto Maple Leafs centre — and rightfully so — because he has at least two points in all seven games this season.
Matthews is good, really good with his 16 points. He’s scoring at a 45 per cent clip (10 goals on 22 shots). That can’t last.
That’s a snapshot. But what about the big picture? Is he McDavid good, the equal of the guy who had been in on all five Oiler goals heading into the Jets game Tuesday? McDavid’s coming off 100 and 108-point seasons; Matthews 69 and 63.
Let’s go to an independent arbitrator, Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele. When asked if Matthews was better than McDavid, Scheifele offered up a one-word, emphatic “No.” There was no hesitation.
“Obviously, Auston’s a great player, he’s got a lot of skill and when you watch him on a nightly basis, he makes a lot of really, good plays,” said Scheifele, who played with Matthews and McDavid on the Young Guns team at the 2016 World Cup.
“But Connor McDavid has put up back-to-back 100-point seasons. He’s done a lot that Matthews, obviously, hasn’t done. Matthews is a star in this league and he’s going to get better, but he’s not at McDavid’s level just yet.”
Scheifele watches more NHL games than pro scouts. He’s always got his TV on. “People forget about Sidney Crosby, too. He’s right there,” he said.
“Toronto’s played seven games, Edmonton’s only played three. It’s still early in the season and there’s still so much that will happen.”
McDavid didn’t talk before the Jets game but if he did, we know what he would say.
That Auston has tons of talent, he’s having a great start and the who’s better answer should come from other people.
We eventually heard the Who’s Better, Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux, talk in the late ’80s, but by then Wayne had been in the league 10 years and Mario was the new kid on the block.
This is a pretty fast Matthews vs. McDavid conversation about the two 21-year-olds.
You know which side Oilers coach Todd McLellan comes out on. He likes Matthews, but ...
“I would agree with them wholeheartedly except we have No. 97,” said McLellan. “Auston Matthews and Sid and Nathan MacKinnon and Taylor Hall ... this league is blessed with a tremendous amount of talent right now, young players (the exception being Crosby) who are full of courage and talent and they entertain us on a nightly basis.
“Auston is certainly one of them. I know 97 is one, too. Canada is pretty lucky to have both players playing here.”
McLellan is allowed to say who’s better, though, right?
“I believe he is, but I won’t take anything away from Auston who’s had a tremendous start and I’ve had the pleasure of being around him at the World Cup. But 97’s a pretty damn good player,” said the Oilers coach.
When Jets coach Paul Maurice was asked for his two cents worth, he demurred.
“I think I’ll defer to the two coaches (Mike Babcock in Toronto and McLellan in Edmonton),” said Maurice. “I think that question is better answered in 15 or 20 years.” We’ll give Scheifele the last word. “I’m sure Connor likes challenges, he works hard in the off-season, works at his game on a day-to-day basis, and wants to be the best player he can be. I’m sure Auston having a great start is only pushing Connor to do more,” said Scheifele.