Anyone else concerned about Matthews?

[nuck]

what are the odds that he can just magically flip a switch come game 70 when he wasn't able to do that for the 69 games preceding it?

in past seasons when he's gotten hurt he hasn't recovered fully until after the offseason and looked like a shell of himself.

Depends on what the problem is I guess. Since we don't know it just seems like needless worry to assume the worst. I am a lot more concerned Samsonov will be our playoff goalie and offer up a couple of his pancake games.

 

[Brew]

The takes here regarding Matthews are pretty assinine

Over 9,000 posts and this is your take? These takes are why I don’t post as much here anymore.

 

[TheVision]

The takes here regarding Matthews are pretty assinine

Anybody not paying attention to Matthews increased defensive play this year, is not paying attention. As I said before, perhaps Auston has matured in his game enough to realize winning Rocket Richard awards doesn't do squat in the playoffs. Lets wait and see what he does in the playoffs, especially with this new threat of a lethal 2nd line, before we take him back to the wicker man right?

 

[ER89]

Who was saying William hasn't been better than Matthews?

Enough of the excuses. Injured or not... The dude has been underperforming his contract.

Giving him a blank paycheck and losing William is going to be a mistake.

 

[Sypher04]

Over 9,000 posts and this is your take? These takes are why I don’t post as much here anymore.

Huh? My take that what other people are saying is assinine is what makes you not post much here? Lol

People here are acting like he’s a shoe in to leave, or he’s purposely not playing to the standard he put up last year, or he’s mad they got O’Reilly. It’s all ridiculous

 

[crump]

9 points in last 10 including 5 goals. Abysmal.
I know I get it, in relative term, he’s not looking like all star- Rocket Richard.- MVP Matthews. I think we can get spoiled sometimes. His shot doesn’t seem as lethal.

Maybe opposing Goalies and their coaches have a book on him now. Take space and time away like the Wild did last night.

Coming back from a sprain as well. I am only concerned with him being healthy, rested heading into the playoffs.

 

[mapleleaf979]

Anybody not paying attention to Matthews increased defensive play this year, is not paying attention. As I said before, perhaps Auston has matured in his game enough to realize winning Rocket Richard awards doesn't do squat in the playoffs. Lets wait and see what he does in the playoffs, especially with this new threat of a lethal 2nd line, before we take him back to the wicker man right?

Please expand in depth about his increased defensive play this year, u sound like Sportsnet, talking nonsense to cover the players faults.

 

[mapleleaf979]

Feb 21 - Matthews took 1 shot vs Buffalo. He took 10 draws, lost 7 0f them.
Feb 24- Matthews takes 2 shots vs Wild. He took 12 draws, lost 6 of them.

3 shots over his last 2 games, 40.9% on the draws, that matches up with the eye test, he checked out the last few games.

 

[Racer88]

Feb 21 - Matthews took 1 shot vs Buffalo. He took 10 draws, lost 7 0f them.
Feb 24- Matthews takes 2 shots vs Wild. He took 12 draws, lost 6 of them.

3 shots over his last 2 games, that matches up with the eye test, he checked out the last few games.

What a defensive juggernaut

 

[Throw More Waffles]

Matthews demanded McDavid money when term is included. McDavid is well near DOUBLE Matthews in both goals and points. It's unacceptable. Flat out unacceptable.

Can you imagine this in reverse? Matthews currently DOUBLE McDavid in goals and points? And most oilers fans were writing things like (lol) "He's just saving himself for the playoffs" or (bigger lol) "McDavid's just playing defense."

And if Matthews is playing through a nagging injury, then that would be unacceptable as well as he should be sitting out another month to recover.

So no matter how you slice it, what is happening right now with Matthews is unequivocally unacceptable.

 

[Havoc]

no

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Quit criticizing AM34 guys, this is part of his evolution to defensive 3rd line plug center. Next phase will include taking him off the PP and getting him to kill penalties.

 

[PromisedLand]

I am quite certain matthews is going to have a very underwhelming playoffs 1st round exit or not.

I am pretty sure after last season; he took it way too easy in the summer and did not put in the work in the offseason. Not only is his shot not as lethal this season; his conditioning is the worst I've ever seen in his time here. He isn't skating as fast/hard; he needs to catch his breath about 30 to 40 seconds into the shift.

here is hoping there is a miracle upcoming; because it is only a miracle that may change it

 

[leafsfan5]

Anybody not paying attention to Matthews increased defensive play this year, is not paying attention. As I said before, perhaps Auston has matured in his game enough to realize winning Rocket Richard awards doesn't do squat in the playoffs. Lets wait and see what he does in the playoffs, especially with this new threat of a lethal 2nd line, before we take him back to the wicker man right?

Again, an increase in defensive awareness doesn't mean you lose your ability to shoot wrist shots. It's not a one or the other situation. When is the last time we have seen him rip multiple pucks in a game and beat goalies clean?

I'm going to wait till the playoffs to assess his season, I don't care much for his overall totals. But to have some level of concern your rocket winning center can't shoot the same is 100% valid

 

[hullsy47]

Matthews demanded McDavid money when term is included. McDavid is well near DOUBLE Matthews in both goals and points. It's unacceptable. Flat out unacceptable.

Can you imagine this in reverse? Matthews currently DOUBLE McDavid in goals and points? And most oilers fans were writing things like (lol) "He's just saving himself for the playoffs" or (bigger lol) "McDavid's just playing defense."

And if Matthews is playing through a nagging injury, then that would be unacceptable as well as he should be sitting out another month to recover.

So no matter how you slice it, what is happening right now with Matthews is unequivocally unacceptable.

If the leafs don't get past 1st round mathews will be traded for a lottery pick

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Keefe giving Matthews his buddy back because even he sees he’s struggling and needs to get going.

 

[ACC1224]

Again, an increase in defensive awareness doesn't mean you lose your ability to shoot wrist shots. It's not a one or the other situation. When is the last time we have seen him rip multiple pucks in a game and beat goalies clean?

I'm going to wait till the playoffs to assess his season, I don't care much for his overall totals. But to have some level of concern your rocket winning center can't shoot the same is 100% valid

He sure seems to miss the net a lot now.
Is that a stat that’s tracked anywhere? Hitting the net vs missing?

 

[ER89]

9 points in last 10 including 5 goals. Abysmal.
I know I get it, in relative term, he’s not looking like all star- Rocket Richard.- MVP Matthews. I think we can get spoiled sometimes. His shot doesn’t seem as lethal.

Maybe opposing Goalies and their coaches have a book on him now. Take space and time away like the Wild did last night.

Coming back from a sprain as well. I am only concerned with him being healthy, rested heading into the playoffs.

It is abysmal when you sign a contract that's better than mcdavids when you consider term.

As long as he's back in the playoffs fine. But this season he's been poor by not only his standards but the contract he signed

 

[Sypher04]

Having some concerns over Matthews play is fine. I’m not confident he’s healthy which is a definite concern with how much is riding on this year. Any inference or suggestion from here though that he didn’t put in the off-season work, or is checked out regarding playing in toronto, or mad about linemates, or whatever narratives people are creating from literally thin air, are worthless and do nothing to push forward any worthwhile discussion

 

[kb]

Having some concerns over Matthews play is fine. I’m not confident he’s healthy which is a definite concern with how much is riding. Any inference or suggestion from here though that he didn’t put in the off-season work, or is checked out, or mad about linemates, or whatever narratives people are creating from thin are, are worthless and do nothing to push forward any worthwhile discussion

Most who say this have an ongoing narrative that permeates every post they make in every thread, and are universally negative about the team and......management.

Just going to leave it at that.

 

[ULF_55]

He sure seems to miss the net a lot now.
Is that a stat that’s tracked anywhere? Hitting the net vs missing?

Last year Matthews lead the league in missed shots.

Just basic stuff: NHL Stats

Total missed shots he's 3rd., Meier is 1st.

NHL Stats

The official source for NHL Stats including skaters, goalies, teams stats and more.

www.nhl.com

 

[Stephen]

It kinda does matter, if AM starts to think he's having a down year because of his line mates, do you want an unhappy star going into his negotiation year thinking the team doe not have his best interest at heart?

I don't want to speculate too much into why Matthews is having a down year, but I rather it be some nagging thing keeping him from 100% than go down the rabbit hole of teammate drama, chemistry and blame game.

I'm sure all parties can have a dialogue about line combinations and duos if there are issues but on the face of it the Leafs aren't doing anything wrong playing Matthews with Nylander, who is breakout out with Mitch level production for the first time.

 

[Gabriel426]

I don't want to speculate too much into why Matthews is having a down year, but I rather it be some nagging thing keeping him from 100% than go down the rabbit hole of teammate drama, chemistry and blame game.

I'm sure all parties can have a dialogue about line combinations and duos if there are issues but on the face of it the Leafs aren't doing anything wrong playing Matthews with Nylander, who is breakout out with Mitch level production for the first time.

I really don’t think it is not playing with MM is the reason why AM is having a down year. Bc not like he is only scoring in PP.
I do have concern about his wrist as he just doesn’t have that extra snap when he shoots.

Keefe giving Matthews his buddy back because even he sees he’s struggling and needs to get going.

This might be a prelude for ROR and Willie on a line together in the playoffs.

 

[justashadowof]

This is going to be a triggering take:

Matthews' current season does have a faint odour of one of those superstar-on-the-outs kind of seasons. Still very good but underproducing with some higher gear being obviously held back. Extreme examples are Vince Carter's last season with the Raptors or Patrick Kane's current year with the Blackhawks (until lately).

It's more likely something like persisting through a chronic wrist injury that needs future surgery and a long recovery period.

 

[Sypher04]

Keefe giving Matthews his buddy back because even he sees he’s struggling and needs to get going.

Honestly, if we’re loading up the top 6 (and not playing ROR at 3C) this makes way more sense anyway imo. If you’re going to split 5 terrific forwards and a clear #6 between two lines, the two best (Matthews & Marner) should go together and carry the #6 guy (Bunting)