This first two matchups in our summertime Fan Favorite Tournament have kinda been blowouts in favor of Mark Scheifle over Bryan Little and Teppo Numminen over Dave Babych. Today’s first round meeting back on the Jets 2.0 side of the bracket should be a bit more competitive as we have versatile favorite Mathieu Perreault going against the young dashing Dane Nik Ehlers.

Nik Ehlers was the ninth overall pick in the 2014 NHL draft and made his debut with the team less than a year later. Ehlers is the type of player that was perfect for the phrase “could stick handle in a phone booth” but so very few players can do it with the speed he carries as he rushes into an offensive zone. His exploits with the puck leaves fans gasping in astonishment and opponents gasping for air as they try to chase down the 5’11” speedster. His budding bro-mance with Patrik Laine has only helped capture fans adoration that much more.

A couple of weeks after Ehlers was drafted, Mathieu Perreault joined the Jets as a free agent after signing a three year deal with the club. Perreault’s value to the Jets comes from his ability to seemingly play anywhere in the line from top six forward role on the wing, to fourth line center and not only play well with a wide variety of teammates, but to be a player that can drive his line’s success. Throw in a bearded look that has him resemble a certain biblical figure and the fact that Perreault’s ability to help elevate the play of players like Matt Hendricks which is a near miracle itself, and you have a recipe for cult fan favorite.

 

Will you vote for the Dashing Dane or Matty P?