PromisedLand
I need more FOOD
Matthews has played with rookie/sophomore Nylander, rookie/sophomore Hyman, Brown (starting as a rookie), Ennis, 16 goal Marleau, rookie Kapanen, rookie Johnsson, and his linemates got progressively worse (yet he still improved production). He has gotten much harder match-ups throughout his ELC, except for last year, where he got slightly easier match-ups with substantially worse linemates. He has had the #2 PP unit for 2 of the 3 years.
Marner has played with Tavares, 3rd year Hyman, 30+ goal Kadri, 30+ goal JVR, Bozak, 27 goal Marleau, and his linemates got progressively better. He has been on the #1 PP unit all 3 years.
Matthews' first 2 years are way ahead of Marner's first 2 years in almost every way, so I'm not even sure what you're trying to argue.
Matthews has always had the luxury of playing when Marner was in the line up not once had Matthews played in his entire career without Marner in the line up; opposition has to respect both lines so Matthews benefits
Marner has continued to produced even without Matthews in the line up and if it wasn't for Marner Leafs would not have even made the playsoffs for 2017-2018 season.
Marner has led the club in points for 2 consecutive seasons and has posted points that have shown increasing trend. The claim that Nylander in a "sophmore" season means some bottom feeder player is effing ridiculous by that logic McDavid in his 2nd season i.e. "sophmore" season producing means absolutely nothing.