When the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night, it wasn’t just a clash of two elite Canadian franchises-it was another chapter in the ongoing debate over hockey’s top-tier talent. Toronto came away with a 5-2 win at Rogers Place, evening the season series at 1-1.
But the conversation that followed wasn’t about the scoreboard. It was about the stars: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Auston Matthews.
And according to NHL insider Jason Gregor, we might be having the wrong conversation.
Speaking on Sports 1440, Gregor made it clear he doesn’t think Matthews should be compared to McDavid at all. In his view, McDavid is operating on a different level entirely-one that’s simply unmatched in today’s NHL.
“I still chuckle when I think about when I was asked to be a guest on Leafs Lunch,” Gregor said. “They’re all talking McDavid and Matthews, and I was like, well, I actually don’t even think that’s the comparison. The better question is, who’s better-Draisaitl or Matthews?”
It’s a fair point, and one that gains more traction when you look beyond the highlight reels and into the numbers-and especially the postseason.
Let’s start with McDavid. He’s once again leading the league in points, with 95 in 57 games-34 goals and 61 assists.
That’s not just production, that’s dominance. His speed, vision, and ability to control the game are unmatched.
He’s the engine behind Edmonton’s offense and the heartbeat of their back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances. When the Oilers need a moment, McDavid provides it.
Every time.
But if McDavid’s in a league of his own, the next tier is where things get interesting-and that’s where the Draisaitl vs. Matthews debate takes center stage.
Gregor didn’t hold back on that one either.
“I argue that Leon Draisaitl was better for a variety of reasons,” he said. “Number one, health.
But number two, he scores a lot of goals, right? Playmaker.
And this was before Draisaitl went on the ridiculous runs that he's done in the playoffs. If you just look at their playoff numbers, it’s not even a comparison.”
He’s got a point. Draisaitl has been a postseason monster.
In 96 playoff games, he’s racked up 52 goals and 141 points. Matthews, by comparison, has 26 goals and 59 points in 68 playoff games.
That’s not a knock on Matthews-he’s a phenomenal talent-but those numbers speak volumes about Draisaitl’s ability to elevate his game when it matters most.
And it’s not just the playoffs. Even looking at this regular season, Draisaitl’s all-around game is standing out.
Through 54 games, Draisaitl has 27 goals and 51 assists-good for 78 points, fifth in the league. He’s logging over 22 minutes a night and driving Edmonton’s power play with his elite vision and passing. He’s not just finishing plays-he’s creating them, consistently.
Matthews, meanwhile, has 26 goals and 22 assists in 51 games. He’s still Toronto’s top finisher, and his shot remains one of the most dangerous weapons in the NHL.
But his offensive game leans more heavily on volume shooting. Draisaitl, on the other hand, is more of a dual threat-able to score and set up teammates with equal danger.
So when you stack it all up-regular season production, playoff pedigree, and overall impact-it’s hard not to give the edge to Draisaitl in this particular comparison.
Matthews remains one of the league’s premier goal scorers. But Draisaitl is doing more, more often, and in more critical moments. And while McDavid continues to set the bar impossibly high, Draisaitl has quietly carved out a place just beneath him-one that might not get the same headlines but deserves every bit of respect.
In the end, maybe the real story isn’t about who’s better between McDavid and Matthews. Maybe it’s about how Leon Draisaitl keeps proving he belongs in the conversation-loud and clear.