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Anyone else concerned about Matthews?

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HockeyVirus

HockeyVirus

16/34/88/91/44 - Pathetic losers
Nov 15, 2020
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Obviously you don't lose all your abilities at 24, but he is such a different player vs last year. Last year he REALLY impacted the game. The last 1/2 of the season especially he was an absolute force. Physical, in on the forecheck and destroying board battles, around the net with a rocket of a shot(heh).

This year he is so passive. Not fighting for pucks, seems unable to find open space and when he does his shot isn't what it was. You see flashes every 10 games or so but he is just such a different player. He doesn't look like he cares to be the best right now.

My concern is if this is the guy we are getting round 1 we are in trouble. I thought he was saving himself for the playoffs this year but with under 25 games to go, I still see no urgency in his game.

The injury excuse is a little old given he was out with injury and says he feels fine. Unless he has something lingering impacting his skating and ability to shoot and battle for pucks, in which case we are absolutely in bad shape.

He's the furthest thing from his MVP form this year
Click to read more...
 
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HockeyVirus said:
Obviously you don't lose all your abilities at 24, but he is such a different player vs last year. Last year he REALLY impacted the game. The last 1/2 of the season especially he was an absolute force. Physical, in on the forecheck and destroying board battles, around the net with a rocket of a shot(heh).

This year he is so passive. Not fighting for pucks, seems unable to find open space and when he does his shot isn't what it was. You see flashes every 10 games or so but he is just such a different player. He doesn't look like he cares to be the best right now.

My concern is if this is the guy we are getting round 1 we are in trouble. I thought he was saving himself for the playoffs this year but with under 25 games to go, I still see no urgency in his game.

The injury excuse is a little old given he was out with injury and says he feels fine. Unless he has something lingering impacting his skating and ability to shoot and battle for pucks, in which case we are absolutely in bad shape.

He's the furthest thing from his MVP form this year
Click to expand...
No.
 
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HockeyVirus said:
Obviously you don't lose all your abilities at 24, but he is such a different player vs last year. Last year he REALLY impacted the game. The last 1/2 of the season especially he was an absolute force. Physical, in on the forecheck and destroying board battles, around the net with a rocket of a shot(heh).

This year he is so passive. Not fighting for pucks, seems unable to find open space and when he does his shot isn't what it was. You see flashes every 10 games or so but he is just such a different player. He doesn't look like he cares to be the best right now.

My concern is if this is the guy we are getting round 1 we are in trouble. I thought he was saving himself for the playoffs this year but with under 25 games to go, I still see no urgency in his game.

The injury excuse is a little old given he was out with injury and says he feels fine. Unless he has something lingering impacting his skating and ability to shoot and battle for pucks, in which case we are absolutely in bad shape.

He's the furthest thing from his MVP form this year
Click to expand...
With missing games twice with injury, and not looking comfortable......is it not just possible he is playing through an injury this season? You can see pain/frustration when he gets back to the bench on many shifts.

Why does everything always have to be blown so far out of proportion when no one truly knows?
 
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kb said:
With missing games twice with injury, and not looking comfortable......is it not just possible he is playing through an injury this season?

Why does everything always have to be blown so far out of proportion when no one truly knows?
Click to expand...

Addressed this in my OP
 
Not worried one bit. Even if he’s not producing on the scoresheet like last year, he’s helping in a lot of different areas just being out there.

Lots of players have down years and if this is Matthews down year while still putting over a PPG, I’m totally fine with it.
 
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HockeyVirus said:
Uh you think our best player being our 4th best player isn't an issue in an all in year
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No I actually don't, because down years happen. If you wanna get your panties in a bunch over production in the meaningless regular season knock yourself out. He's won some hardware, now it's time for him to actually take over in the playoffs.

For all we know Matthews comes out guns blazing in the playoffs and all is forgotten.
 
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I don't think it's an effort thing, he's out there blocking shots and genuinely does look like he's trying out there. He's been pretty underwhelming most nights by his standards, but Bunting-Matthews-Nylander have been outscoring teams like crazy (73 GF%). He just can't find a way to put pucks in the net himself, even though his ixGF/60 is identical from last year indicating he's getting a similar number/quality of chances
 
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If he's injured like many posters are suggesting, he should be sitting out until fully healed. I don't want 70% of Auston Matthews for the next 8 years at 15M (or whatever contract he will sign) because he has caused irreparable damage by continually playing hurt.

Now, he nor Keefe has said he's hurt, so I have to believe that logic prevails here and he's just not having the typical "dominant Auston Matthews" year we are used to.
 
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leafsfan5 said:
I'm slightly concerned, but if he shows up in the playoffs it won't matter
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This is where I am at. I mean, he has been absolutely dog shit in a lot of games.

Yea yea, great defence. If he can't do both, is he really worth the money he will be asking for?

It is a good thing we do not solely rely on him for our teams success... which says something in itself.

Again, if he can get it done in the playoffs, this season won't matter a lick.
 
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