MardyBum
Registered User
Two different things here. A) Kyle Connor is not 100% so for it doesn't end the argument Ehlers or KC, but, Ehlers is definitely better than a less than 100% KC.
Second of all, I can see why Schief might not want to play with Ehlers. Ehlers on his 2 goals he did everything himself. I can imagine a #1 centre like Schief would want to play with players who will use him not just skate down make something themselves take a quick shot and then have to go back to play D. Even though Schief has shown more commitment to play D we can surmize it's not his favorit thing in the world.
This isn't a Connor or Ehlers thing for most people.
Scheifele and Connor do not work well 5v5, if you judge working well as outscoring the lines you play against. One of the very few exceptions is when Ehlers is there.
Ehlers and Scheifele without Connor perform much better than Connor and Scheifele without Ehlers. Year over year over year.
If you're going make the argument that you need Ehlers on a different line for "balance", it doesn't make much sense to brag about your jab when every cross you throw gets you a fist in the face in response.
There's no point of Ehlers driving a second line if the first line that gets more ice time and harder matchups gets caved in.
I wouldn't even mind Perfetti Scheif Vilardi at this point if it splits Scheif and Connor. They have too much time together over the last few years where they at best squeak out equal. That's not what you want from your 1C who is supposed to go against Mackinnons and McDavids in the playoffs.
I liked Connor with PLD (when he cared about hockey) more than when he was with Scheifele.
Also he's re-signed for 7 years. Who cares what Scheifele prefers. Suck it up if he wants to win a cup .
Edit : I'll also agree Connor doesnt look 100%. He's sucking at board battles where he's usually good at using his elite skating to open up space for himself. Maybe he's still a little wary about the knee?