ESPN's PK Subban compares current NY Islanders to Super Bowl 58 players

We’re two days out from Super Bowl 58 between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, and the big game has been the talk of the sporting world.

Last night, the NY Islanders' 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning was broadcasted on ESPN, with John Buccigross, PK Subban, and Mark Messier on the call. Before the game, Buccigross presented Subban with questions regarding who he would compare players participating in the Super Bowl on Sunday to current players on the Islanders and Lightning. 

The first name given was 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.

“Brock Purdy, for me, I would compare him to Sorokin,” Subban said. “Sorokin, you know, he’s been an All-Star in the league but hasn’t proven to get it done completely yet and raise the big Trophy.”

Purdy has been the heart and soul of the 49ers this season, finishing third in the Offensive MVP voting. He led the league among starters in quarterback rating, was fifth in passing yards, and third in touchdown passes.

Last season, Ilya Sorokin finished second in Vezina voting, third in SV%, and sixth in GAA.

While Sorokin may not have been the obvious choice to compare to Purdy, Subban’s choice of the Islanders tight end couldn’t be more apparent. 

“Oh, I got to go Anders Lee,” said Subban. “Big body guy. You can’t move him in front, great guy, and he’s a leader. So I’d have to say George Kittle would be Anders Lee.” 

Kittle is a well-rounded player and one of the leaders in the 49ers locker room. Though it’s a bit different, like Lee, Kittle also wears a “C” on his chest.

There is also the fact that Lee was one of the nation’s top football prospects as a quarterback out of Edina, MN. While he committed to playing hockey at Notre Dame, Lee was named Minnesota Gatorade High School Player of the Year, twice an all-state performer, holding conference records for touchdowns in a season, total yards, total yards in a game, and average points per game.