Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews Slighted in ESPN Player Rankings

The noted website ranked the top 25 NHL players of the 21st century and the Leafs superstar center was snubbed in comparison to some of his contemporaries.

Apr 16, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) looks on against the Florida Panthers during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

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Matthews Compares Favorably to MacKinnon

Matthews numbers compare favorably to MacKinnon but he is ranked much lower.

They are each Hart Trophy winners.

Both have won the Calder Trophy for top rookie and the Ted Lindsay award as the league's best player, voted on by their peers.

MacKinnon has won a Lady Byng, but Matthews has multiple Rocket Richard trophies.

Their points per game are similar. Matthews is the better goal scorer and MacKinnon is the better playmaker.

Matthews is much better defensively, and has been more consistant throughout his career. MacKinnon's last several years have been great, but his early career was not that impressive.

The biggest difference that seems to have heavily influenced their comparison is that MacKinnon has a Stanley Cup championship while Matthews has yet to go on an extended playoff run. It also appears to have weighed heavily in ranking Draisaitl ahead of Matthews. Draisaitl hasn't won a title but has made the Stanley Cup Final and the Western Conference Final twice.

Matthews wasn't the only active NHL player who was underrated in the ESPN rankings.

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