I don't get the Mathews is great defensively stuff. I've personally never thought that watching him. He is no Bergeron or Kopitar. Even mentioning Mathews among those guys is rediculous.

McDavid isn't either. THIS year McDavid has been the better 2 way player over Matthews. Tons of take a ways and some very noticable plays down low a bit of PK time and has started hitting more. This year I don't know how anyone can say Mathews is better defensively than McDavid. Last year sure maybe. I don't think Mathews is even trusted on the PK with his "defensive" play.

My point is neither are great defensively and neither should be getting a lot of praise over the other. You know who does tho? Leon Draisaitl. Leon absolutely can be named in the same breath as Bergeron and Kopitar AND he scores AND he has far more points than Mathews.

What Matthews is doing for goal scoring is prime Ovechkin. Absolutely amazing and will get some hardware for it.

What McDavid is doing is pure otherworldly generational stuff.

Lost in the duffle is the reining Hart trophy and hopefully selke finalist performance of Leon Draisaitl. Their is a strong argument that what Leon is doing this year surpasses Matthews due to be the far superior two way player to both while putting up massive points as well.

Ps: please don't say Draisaitl is a product of McDavid. Mathews is more a product of Marner than Draisaitl is McDavid without question.

If it was so much easier to do back then; then why didn’t way more guys do it?
- TurdFergeson

Uh, they did. Just not at the same rate as Gretzkey.

I don't get the Mathews is great defensively stuff. I've personally never thought that watching him. He is no Bergeron or Kopitar. Even mentioning Mathews among those guys is rediculous.

McDavid isn't either. THIS year McDavid has been the better 2 way player over Matthews. Tons of take a ways and some very noticable plays down low a bit of PK time and has started hitting more. This year I don't know how anyone can say Mathews is better defensively than McDavid. Last year sure maybe. I don't think Mathews is even trusted on the PK with his "defensive" play.

My point is neither are great defensively and neither should be getting a lot of praise over the other. You know who does tho? Leon Draisaitl. Leon absolutely can be named in the same breath as Bergeron and Kopitar AND he scores AND he has far more points than Mathews.

What Matthews is doing for goal scoring is prime Ovechkin. Absolutely amazing and will get some hardware for it.

What McDavid is doing is pure otherworldly generational stuff.

Lost in the duffle is the reining Hart trophy and hopefully selke finalist performance of Leon Draisaitl. Their is a strong argument that what Leon is doing this year surpasses Matthews due to be the far superior two way player to both while putting up massive points as well.

Ps: please don't say Draisaitl is a product of McDavid. Mathews is more a product of Marner than Draisaitl is McDavid without question.
- Aerchon

Matthews is great defensively from where I'm sitting.

I don't get the Mathews is great defensively stuff. I've personally never thought that watching him. He is no Bergeron or Kopitar. Even mentioning Mathews among those guys is rediculous.

McDavid isn't either. THIS year McDavid has been the better 2 way player over Matthews. Tons of take a ways and some very noticable plays down low a bit of PK time and has started hitting more. This year I don't know how anyone can say Mathews is better defensively than McDavid. Last year sure maybe. I don't think Mathews is even trusted on the PK with his "defensive" play.

My point is neither are great defensively and neither should be getting a lot of praise over the other. You know who does tho? Leon Draisaitl. Leon absolutely can be named in the same breath as Bergeron and Kopitar AND he scores AND he has far more points than Mathews.

What Matthews is doing for goal scoring is prime Ovechkin. Absolutely amazing and will get some hardware for it.

What McDavid is doing is pure otherworldly generational stuff.

Lost in the duffle is the reining Hart trophy and hopefully selke finalist performance of Leon Draisaitl. Their is a strong argument that what Leon is doing this year surpasses Matthews due to be the far superior two way player to both while putting up massive points as well.

Ps: please don't say Draisaitl is a product of McDavid. Mathews is more a product of Marner than Draisaitl is McDavid without question.
- Aerchon

Who compared Matthews to Bergeron or Kopitar defensively? Matthews isn't a top flight defensive center, but he's a pretty solid one. These past two seasons his defensive game has improved significantly. He remains one of the top offensive threats in the NHL, and he is a solid two way player...that is what makes him one of the best overall in the league today.

Uh, they did. Just not at the same rate as Gretzkey.
- j_eng

so doesn’t that just render his point moot? Gretz was head and shoulders better than anyone else at that time.

Both are crazy. I’d honestly agree with the numbers McDavid is putting up being the crazier thing.

But nothing against what Matthews has been doing. 40 goals in 49 games is unbelievable. And I only lament that his wrist injury slowed him down from actually maintaining that goal a game pace he had. Now that would have been awesome to see happen this year. But nearly a goal a game is good too!

What they've both done is nothing short of amazing, however, McDavid's current points per game are among the highest in league history....he obviously wins. Matthews goals, although fantastic, aren't even in the 50-50 club range. A bench-mark for generational goal scorers.
- DraftandDestroy

This

This
- DrMidnite

"What they've both done is nothing short of amazing, however, McDavid's current points per game are among the highest in league history....he obviously wins. Matthews goals, although fantastic, aren't even in the 50-50 club range. A bench-mark for generational goal scorers.
- DraftandDestroy

Matthews projected 82 game pace is 65 goals and 40 assists...

How is that not more impressive than 50-50.

Matthews is great defensively from where I'm sitting.
- Zezel

I've watched Mathews a lot this season but that is 12 to 15 games. Ive watched every Oilers game.

I've been critical of McDavid two way play in previous years. This year he has been very good and very noticeably so.

His speed gives him such an advantage over Mathews to be in the right spot at the right time. Plus back track and do takeways.

It "could" be a case of missing some of Matthews more great defensive games. Or just how obvious it is when McDavid strips opponents and is all over the ice...

But I don't think so. I think Matthews is pretty average as a two way forward and outside of a homer tool for Toronto fans to try to prop Mathews closer to McDavid he really doesn't get much praise for it.

You want leverage who is better than who neither Matthews or McDavid are on that list imo... yet.

Leon Draisaitl absolutely should be on that list. It will be criminal if he isn't in the top 3 this year for the Selke.

I've watched Mathews a lot this season but that is 12 to 15 games. Ive watched every Oilers game.

I've been critical of McDavid two way play in previous years. This year he has been very good and very noticeably so.

His speed gives him such an advantage over Mathews to be in the right spot at the right time. Plus back track and do takeways.

It "could" be a case of missing some of Matthews more great defensive games. Or just how obvious it is when McDavid strips opponents and is all over the ice...

But I don't think so. I think Matthews is pretty average as a two way forward and outside of a homer tool for Toronto fans to try to prop Mathews closer to McDavid he really doesn't get much praise for it.

You want leverage who is better than who neither Matthews or McDavid are on that list imo... yet.

Leon Draisaitl absolutely should be on that list. It will be criminal if he isn't in the top 3 this year for the Selke.
- Aerchon

Jesus dude. Leon is no where near selke level. He’s still lazy a lot of games and usually racks up a bunch of points against weak teams.

I've watched Mathews a lot this season but that is 12 to 15 games. Ive watched every Oilers game.

I've been critical of McDavid two way play in previous years. This year he has been very good and very noticeably so.

His speed gives him such an advantage over Mathews to be in the right spot at the right time. Plus back track and do takeways.

It "could" be a case of missing some of Matthews more great defensive games. Or just how obvious it is when McDavid strips opponents and is all over the ice...

But I don't think so. I think Matthews is pretty average as a two way forward and outside of a homer tool for Toronto fans to try to prop Mathews closer to McDavid he really doesn't get much praise for it.

You want leverage who is better than who neither Matthews or McDavid are on that list imo... yet.

Leon Draisaitl absolutely should be on that list. It will be criminal if he isn't in the top 3 this year for the Selke.
- Aerchon

Just on stats alone this year:

Matthews has more than twice as many block shots as McDavid (46 vs 21)
Matthews has 55 hits vs McDavid's 60
Matthews has 50% more takeaways (45 vs 31)

I know that stats don't paint the whole picture, but it shows one is definately doing more

so doesn’t that just render his point moot? Gretz was head and shoulders better than anyone else at that time.
- TurdFergeson

There are many reasons why you’re flat-out wrong here. But I suspect you know that, and are just being contrarian

First of all, players did score more goals back then. In Gretzky’s heyday, teams were averaging between 3.5 and 4 goals per game, whereas the majority of recent seasons have been sub 3

Gretzky was the greatest ever, relative to his level of competition. My point is that, if you transplanted current-day Matthews into those games, he’d score 150 goals per year. Largely due to the quality of goaltending

There are obviously a million other reasons he’d dominate (improved fitness, training, etc), but from what I’ve seen, the leap in goaltending over the past few decades has been staggering

"What they've both done is nothing short of amazing, however, McDavid's current points per game are among the highest in league history....he obviously wins. Matthews goals, although fantastic, aren't even in the 50-50 club range. A bench-mark for generational goal scorers.
- DraftandDestroy

Matthews projected 82 game pace is 65 goals and 40 assists...

How is that not more impressive than 50-50.
- TVR.MapleLeafs

I THINK that's a reference to 50 goals in 50 games.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50_goals_in_50_games

I THINK that's a reference to 50 goals in 50 games.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50_goals_in_50_games
- Only_A_Ladd

my bad

Jesus dude. Leon is no where near selke level. He’s still lazy a lot of games and usually racks up a bunch of points against weak teams.
- TurdFergeson

I would love to get upset about this but it's the unfortunate truth Draisaitl is in McDavids shadow and will likely never get noticed.

Your statement is as wrong as it possibly can be. Leons been a consistent two way force this year and even in previous years his stellar two way play is far more noticeable than his rough patches.

He is consistent beast on the PK, in the dot, down low, on the cycle, and hustles back for pressure/take aways. I think he was leading the league in plus minus for awhile when his linemates were Kahun and Yamamoto...

Very very Kopitaresk this year with previous years only being slightly off due to a few "rough" patches.

There are many reasons why you’re flat-out wrong here. But I suspect you know that, and are just being contrarian

First of all, players did score more goals back then. In Gretzky’s heyday, teams were averaging between 3.5 and 4 goals per game, whereas the majority of recent seasons have been sub 3

Gretzky was the greatest ever, relative to his level of competition. My point is that, if you transplanted current-day Matthews into those games, he’d score 150 goals per year. Largely due to the quality of goaltending

There are obviously a million other reasons he’d dominate (improved fitness, training, etc), but from what I’ve seen, the leap in goaltending over the past few decades has been staggering
- AxlRose91

By that logic: Ovechkin would have scored 3000 goals in the Gretzky era. Guys like you trying to compare these things have no brain. Gretz was better than all of his competition by miles. No one is as dominant today. Gretzky wasn’t getting those records because he put the odd clapper past Pang from the blue line. He was dominant because his vision and creativity were like nothing ever seen before.

I guess Babe Ruth’s records don’t matter because the pitching back then was no where near as good as it is today.

I would love to get upset about this but it's the unfortunate truth Draisaitl is in McDavids shadow and will likely never get noticed.

Your statement is as wrong as it possibly can be. Leons been a consistent two way force this year and even in previous years his stellar two way play is far more noticeable than his rough patches.

He is consistent beast on the PK, in the dot, down low, on the cycle, and hustles back for pressure/take aways. I think he was leading the league in plus minus for awhile when his linemates were Kahun and Yamamoto...

Very very Kopitaresk this year with previous years only being slightly off due to a few "rough" patches.
- Aerchon

Lol. I watch almost all oilers games. You are clearly watching something else or are watching after a couple dozen beer.

Not to nitpick, but AM has 40 goals in 49 games, making his projected goal totals higher than what’s reported here. Splitting hairs though

Both incredible feats. AM is the more complete player, superior defensively, etc. And goals are much more difficult to pile up than assists. But I might still lean slightly to McD. He’s crazy good
- AxlRose91

By that logic: Ovechkin would have scored 3000 goals in the Gretzky era. Guys like you trying to compare these things have no brain. Gretz was better than all of his competition by miles. No one is as dominant today. Gretzky wasn’t getting those records because he put the odd clapper past Pang from the blue line. He was dominant because his vision and creativity were like nothing ever seen before.

I guess Babe Ruth’s records don’t matter because the pitching back then was no where near as good as it is today.
- TurdFergeson

Dude, you’re incredibly dumb. I wish we could find a time machine not only to test my theory, but also to go back in time and smack your mother for smoking crack while she was pregnant with you

Dude, you’re incredibly dumb. I wish we could find a time machine not only to test my theory, but also to go back in time and smack your mother for smoking crack while she was pregnant with you
- AxlRose91

Ok boomer.

Bah! Ovie doesn't even own the most goals scored in a season record. I'd argue someone by the name of Wayne Gretzky is easily the greatest goal score in hockey history and he was more of a playermaker...that's just how elite Gretzky was.
- El Narco Papi

Yes for his time, however in terms of ability Ovechkin is a better goal scorer. Did Gretzky have a harder shot? no. More accurate? no. Faster skater? no. Better puck handler? no.

You can go down the list and there wont be a skill that anyone can point to that says Gretzky was the better goal scorer. Only the number of goals itself.

Yes for his time, however in terms of ability Ovechkin is a better goal scorer. Did Gretzky have a harder shot? no. More accurate? no. Faster skater? no. Better puck handler? no.

You can go down the list and there wont be a skill that anyone can point to that says Gretzky was the better goal scorer. Only the number of goals itself.
- Izzo

It would be tough to argue that Ovechkin has a higher IQ

I think that if you took away both players, Toronto would still make the play-offs and possibly win the division. Edmonton would likely miss the play-offs and would have a shot at being last in the division.

McDavid isn't either. THIS year McDavid has been the better 2 way player over Matthews. Tons of take a ways and some very noticable plays down low a bit of PK time and has started hitting more. This year I don't know how anyone can say Mathews is better defensively than McDavid. Last year sure maybe. I don't think Mathews is even trusted on the PK with his "defensive" play.


- Aerchon

I don't know what Oiler games you are watching but it is definitely not the same games as the rest of world. Tons of take aways = 31. 14 less then they guy you are comparing him too. Not a stat I would have started off with, when trying to prove who is the better in their own zone.

Matthews! McD points are off power play! Big deal…….Matthews has most even strength goals on top of that. Stop McD speed and he’s got nothing……Matthews can stick handle out of a phone booth and score!

That said, the North is weak so I don’t put too much stock in either accomplishment.