In the 2015 NHL Draft, Connor McDavid was the clear-cut favorite — with respect to Jack Eichel — to be the first overall pick after being dubbed the next Sidney Crosby for his all-world talent and the historic numbers he posted in the Onterio Hockey League with the Erie Otters. The Edmonton Oilers confirmed that when they didn't hesitate to make him their first selection.
In this year's draft, Auston Matthews is projected to be the first player taken off the board and scouts are heaping high praise on the 18-year-old American, comparing his makeup and style of play to Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews.
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“He’s the perfect player ... size, tools, skills, sense, finishing ability, driven personality," said a European amateur scout, via Yahoo's Joshua Cooper. "It’s tough to find any faults. He wants to be like Toews. Tells a lot and it’s quite accurate.”
Three Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy, a four-time Selke Trophy finalist and a two-time Olympic gold medalist is hard to live up to. But you have to start somewhere.
After all, not even Toews thought he'd have such an accomplished resume by this age when he first came into the NHL — and that was before he won a third Stanley Cup.