Since the Canadiens selected Juraj Slafkovsky first overall in 2022, Maple Leafs fans have been enjoying taunting CH supporters. It must be admitted that Matthews, a true first overall pick from a strong draft year, is much better, but a player of his caliber doesn't come around every year.
Regardless, it's all in good fun. The rivalry between the two clubs means we like to tease each other as fans, and that's perfectly fine. We kindly remind them that they haven't had playoff success and no Stanley Cup since 1957 every chance we get. It goes both ways.
Since last year, Toronto fans have started comparing their top prospect to ours. They claim that Matthew Knies, selected 57th overall in 2021, is better than our first overall pick in 2022.
An internet user wanted to set the record straight, and it's causing quite a reaction on the X platform. With his recent breakout, the Slovak is up to 14 points this season, and we're starting to see the kind of player he can become.
The goal here is not to belittle Knies, who also has a bright future ahead. The aim is simply to show that Maple Leafs fans have been silenced, and one should always be patient with such a young player. If Slafkovsky continues to play as he has for the past month, he will definitely prove worthy of the first overall pick in his draft year.