Matthews gets slight edge over Laine, Sundin says

TORONTO --
Mats Sundin
said there is no bias involved when he gives the slight edge to Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews over Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine in the debate over which of the top two picks in the 2016 NHL Draft picks is better.

"I think Matthews [is better], but let me make this clear: I think both are fantastic players," the longtime Maple Leafs captain and Hockey Hall of Famer said at the NHL Alumni Awards Gala on Monday. "It's tough to compare. But I think if you look at it this early in their careers, I think Matthews is ahead in terms of the physical aspect of his game and his control of everything he does."
Sundin then started to chuckle.
"Besides, being a Swede, I couldn't be preferable to a Finnish player," Sundin said about Laine, quickly adding, "I'm joking!"
"In all seriousness, both these kids are so talented and will be superstars in this League for a long time."
The Matthews-Laine comparisons have come to the forefront with the Maple Leafs and Jets playing a home-and-home series this week. It starts at Bell MTS Place on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN1, SN360, TVA Sports). The Jets play in Toronto on Saturday.
The rivalry between Matthews, the No. 1 pick in 2016, and Laine, who went No. 2, is underscored by the fact there is a one-goal difference in their NHL statistics.

Matthews, a powerful 21-year-old center, has 148 points (84 goals, 64 assists) in 153 games for the Maple Leafs; Laine, a speedy 20-year-old right wing, has 139 points (83 goals, 56 assists) in 164 games for the Jets.
Sundin, 47, was the first Sweden-born player to be the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft when he was selected by the Quebec Nordiques in 1989. He finished his NHL career with 1,349 points (564 goals, 785 assists) in 1,346 games and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012.
He said Matthews and Laine symbolize the young talent that dominates the NHL these days.
"It's always great to see how No. 1 and the second pick in the draft pan out," he said. "Both have bright futures and will be superstars in the National Hockey League for many years to come. Both have started their careers in great ways.
"Two different players, but they both produce magic in their own ways."