Roslovic Gets to See What Makes Matthews & McDavid So Good

Getting to Play with Both Matthews and McDavid Must Be Rare

Here’s something to think about. Imagine playing with Auston Matthews and watching Connor McDavid do his thing. Jack Roslovic has a pretty good view of both, and he’s got plenty to appreciate. The Maple Leafs forward was asked about McDavid and how his game compares with Matthews’. He didn’t pick a winner. Instead, he talked about what makes both players special.

“They’re both obviously incredibly elite,” Roslovic said, pointing to their world-class talent and work ethic. That’s a pretty good observation from someone who gets to see the game from the inside.

McDavid and Matthews Are Different Players in Their Own Ways

We all know what McDavid can do. Give him a little room, and suddenly he’s flying through the neutral zone, leaving defenders scrambling to catch up. Matthews is a different kind of player. He’s got that terrific shot, knows how to find open space and can make a goalie pay when he gets the chance.

As Roslovic sees it, they have different styles, but they’re both outstanding at what they do. And there’s something else he appreciates. Playing against a player like McDavid isn’t just a tough assignment. It’s a chance to see how you measure up. Roslovic talked about the fun of testing yourself against the best. I suspect there’s a little more to it than that. When you’re facing a player who can change a game in a split second, you have to be alert, make good decisions and be ready for just about anything.

There Are Hockey Lessons to Be Had Playing with Both Elite Players

Then there’s the opportunity to practise alongside Matthews. Fans get to see the goals and the highlights, but they don’t get to see all the work that goes into making those moments happen. Teammates do. They see the preparation, the habits and the little things that help make an elite player so good.

Roslovic has enjoyed playing with Matthews, describing him as tenacious and opportunistic. He also pointed to Matthews’ ability to break open a game. That’s a handy quality in a teammate, particularly when a game is tight, and somebody needs to make something happen. Of course, fans will keep comparing Matthews and McDavid. That’s part of being a hockey fan. We like to debate who’s better and who we’d want on our team.

Matthews and McDavid: Great Players Don’t Have to Be Clones

But Roslovic offers a useful reminder. Great players don’t all have to play the same way. Matthews has his strengths. McDavid has his. Both work at their game, and both can make things happen when their team needs them.

Roslovic gets to see that up close. Not a bad seat for a hockey player to have.

Related: Oilers Connor McDavid Is in Some Ridiculously Good Company