What I mean is, doesn't the rest of this season and the whole season altogether mean still something? I agree that if the draft was right now, then Matthews would be most likely the number one pick. But do you really say that nothing that still happens this season can't change the outcome? If this is how you really see it, then you must see Matthews as very much better player than Laine right now. If this the case I can't understand it.
That I would agree at the moment that Matthews has a clearly more balanced game than Laine, but I don't see the difference even there huge at least. And I still think that Laine is also ahead of Matthews with his shot, his strength and his will and ability to score in clutch situations. Because of these things I see him already as a better player than Matthews. I can still very well understand people seeing Matthews as the better player right now, although I don't agree with that. But that I can't understand if someone thinks that Matthews is so clearly already better, that even an amazing and better rest of the season wouldn't prove Laine as the better player, even in the draft.
Is this only me or did anyone else notice that Matthews was really invisible and phlegmatic in USA's last 2 games.
Semifinal against Russia and Bronze game against Sweden in world juniors.
While Laine played gold medal team and he was part dominant line ( yes i mean pula-aho) in entire tournament.
Matthews is awesome prospect and he has bright NHL future. But he's not next of the god as most posters thought.
But if Matthews would play in FEL would he even be so dominant there what he's in NLA. NLA is high scoring league what FEL isn't.
In FEL only 2 players has scored over 20 goals in this season and they are Chad Rau Saipa and Aaron Gagnon Rauman Lukko.
If Matthews would play in FEL he would be 45-50 point player but most of his points would be assists not goals.
FEL is pro league and players are professionals and teams in FEL won't give much scoring chances because the game in FEL is much defensive than NLA.
What comes to Laine he's TOP3 selection no question about that.
McKeen's hockey has already once ranked Laine above of Matthews
Yes that's only one scouting agency.
And Matthews is still clear favorite to go 1st overall.
But is that consensus after all breakage
. I didn't watch the game, any insight? How did he look like in today's game?
