Or is it “Matthews is now one of the top two players in the league because of an amazing start” while also saying it’s a small sample size for Kadri?
Matthews is a phenomenal young player, the second best under 25 player in the league. He's pretty much a lock to be a top 2 or 3 forward in the league for his career, so I don't really care what people call him.
Yes, it's a small sample size. But his entire career is a small sample size. to me, playing 5 or 6 years scoring 60 points, then suddenly jumping, is very different than playing 1 or 2, and scoring 70 as a rookie, then over point per game. It's pretty clear he's capable of being an elite player. Had he suddenly scored 15 points in his first 7 games after 5 or 6 years of scoring 60 in an entire season, I'd be much more likely to raise an eyebrow.
For all of these players, the beginning of this season is a short sample sale. and they're all in very different situations.
Kadri - been a 30 goal 60ish point player for a couple of years now. Scoring at a slightly slower pace. Part of that is a slow start, but I also he is likely to score less this year, due to circumstance and role.
Mackinnon - spent several years scoring at a rather unimpressive rate, suddenly near doubles that rate. That said, he was taken first overall for a reason. So, I'd like to wait and see. I'm not saying he won't score 100 again, because I think it's fully possible. Unlike William Karlsson, who I'm pretty comfortable saying he wont score 40 again. But I still want to wait and see.
Matthews - He's done nothing but smash records and be elite since day 1. Was point per game last year, despite playing many games injured. Taking a step forward. But no one is under any delusions he will continue this scoring pace. It's going to slow. My guess - roughly 50 goals 100 points this year. But yes, just like Mackinnon, we have to wait and see.
Kadri has a two year track record of the rate he is falling short of this year. Mackinnon has only 1 year of unbelievable play after a long unimpressive track record, he's trying to prove he can repeat. And Matthews has no long track record, but his short track record is nothing short of amazing, and he's trending up, as he has been for his 2 NHL seasons.
All very different situations.