NBCSN Compares 5-7 NHL Draft Prospect Cole Caufield to Lionel Messi in Truly Bizarre Graphic

Get it, because they're both short?

Sure, NBCSN knew what they were in for when they tried to compare a hockey player (perhaps the toughest sport) to a professional soccer diva (we kid, we kid), and fans weren't having any of this. NHL fans, frequently referred to as the 'Please Like My Sport' crowd, directed their ire at NBCSN for this...questionable player comparison for Cole Caufield, who saw his draft stock drop due to his height.

Surely there have been short hockey stars, no? What about Martin St. Louis? Anyone?

The comparison states that Caufield's ability with the puck compares to Messi with the ball at his feet, suggesting that it's easy to overlook both players due to their size. However, this makes the presumptuous assumption that Caufield will be as successful at his craft as Messi, which is quite frankly absurd.

If only he could improve by...getting taller? This was a huge Chyron L for NBCSN, although we appreciate the effort and the initiative to think outside the box. Perhaps next year, let's stick with actual hockey comparisons.