Anyone else concerned about Matthews?

[Dekes For Days]

Ah yes, the patented injury excuse, it comes up everytime his production takes a downturn

What are you even talking about? Both the team and the player themselves have talked about it.
And he's still been dominant throughout that; it's just notable context.

And the fact that nylander is even outpacing him at all is the problem.

Nylander doing well doesn't sound like a problem to me. Everybody seems pretty excited by him. I'd say the real problem is some people not recognizing Matthews' impact this season.

 

[frizzer1]

NHL players love to score goals.
He is not saving himself.
Throughout his career we’ve seen when his shot is off.....back injury..shoulder separations.. and wrist injury.
And people here always said he looks fine.
Then he recovers and starts ripping it.’
This year he has had wrist injuries and now a knee.
That’s why he doesn’t look the same.

 

[Hellcat]

Worried about him? Pretty sure he retired, I haven't seen anyone who resembles that Rocket Richard Trophy winner wearing a Leaf's jersey this year.

 

[Hellcat]

Is he not allowed to have a down year?

That’s really all it is, this year just isn’t it for him. Injuries, no puck luck.

The "why" is pretty clear. Perhaps he should moon security guards every off season.

Moon Security guard = Rocket Richard trophy

No Moon Security guard = 27th in the league in goal scoring. you know who else is 27th? John Tavares. You know who else did not moon a security guard in the off season, John Tavares. Coincidence? I think not.

What lesson did we learn here?

 

[McSnypsky]

Not worried as long as he's healthy for playoffs. I feel like that's all he's thinking about.
And in some ways others have elevated their games to compensate and not relying a on him to bail them out.

 

[Aashir]

What are you even talking about? Both the team and the player themselves have talked about it.
And he's still been dominant throughout that; it's just notable context.

Nylander doing well doesn't sound like a problem to me. Everybody seems pretty excited by him. I'd say the real problem is some people not recognizing Matthews' impact this season.

Matthews has not been dominant throughout this stretch. Dominance needs to result in tangible evidence. You think if Mcdavid was doing what he is doing but only pacing for 105 points he’d get any chance at the hart?

Matthews was dominant last year, that’s what’s frustrating. Even if it’s a career year, he should be hitting 100-110 points each year. Playing defence should not account for a drop in production by 30 points.


About your second point, You are correct, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with nylander doing well. But nylander doing well is resulting in goals and assists, and those usually result in points.

Matthews has been held pointless 13 times through 51 games. Last year he was held pointless 15 times through 73 games. That doesn’t indicate dominance.
I’m all for advanced stats, but they have to either support or be supported by the basic ones. Matthews “dominating” but not scoring would be ok if he was a second liner, but he’s a franchise superstar, he can’t go “dominate” without results. somethings not adding up and calling it unlucky is just an excuse if writing it off.

 

[Aashir]

Is he not allowed to have a down year?

That’s really all it is, this year just isn’t it for him. Injuries, no puck luck.

At his caphit, even a down year should be better than this.

Also would you not say having a down year isn’t a cause for concern though? All of his comparables don’t really have them

In the past 3 years the lowest pacing points for:
Draisaitl: 110
Mackinnon: 111
Kucherov: 117

 

[LeafsFan89]

With Boston seemingly getting both Orlov and Hathaway... He better bring his A game. I am more worried about Boston than I am Tampa, and even Tampa is a big what if at this point.

 

[PROUD PAPA]

With Boston seemingly getting both Orlov and Hathaway... He better bring his A game. I am more worried about Boston than I am Tampa, and even Tampa is a big what if at this point.

He'll do what he can, no worries there.

 

[hamzarocks]

At worst, Matthews has been our 2nd best player this season after Marner

At worst and at best he's been our 3rd best player

Marner and Nylander have been the two top guys easily

Matthews has been worse then Nylander thsi hear but hes so elite he could have a 20 game stretch and end up 2nd behind marner

Jt is for sure back if matthews this year

 

[hamzarocks]

I think we're sleeping on RoR

5 pts in 3 games

Keeps that up he'll get 47 in 27

A sleeper arises in the race for best leaf player this year

 

[Dekes For Days]

Matthews has not been dominant throughout this stretch.

He has though.
58.2 xGF% and 66.7 GF% at 5v5. Both elite.
His 5v5 line and PP units have been generating shots and chances at his normal rate.
His 5v5 line and PP units have been generating goals at his normal rate.
He individually is getting his normal amount of shots, chances, and expected goal generation in both game states.
He's generating career high rebounds.
He's just picking up points at an abnormal career low rate (59% IPP, for a player who has been 70-80% his whole career) - which still leaves him producing at an elite level.
This is likely due to a number of reasons - injuries, normal fluctuations in puck luck (also resulting in a career low shooting percentage), a lack of free/easy points in OT/empty net situations, and the insane defensive responsibility that Matthews has had to take on to allow Nylander to do his thing, and jump up to get odd man rushes and breakaways - which is one reason Matthews is also the top forward in the league in blocked shots, and according to a broadcast a week or so ago, "defensive plays".
There's been a lot of goals where he had an important impact on the play but didn't get the credit.
Unfortunately, some people only seem to be able to appreciate his impact when he's potting 60 goals...

 

[Thornbury]

Uh you think our best player being our 4th best player isn't an issue in an all in year?

I do, and my concern is the guy just doesn't seem to have the hunger. The thought of giving him 8 x 14 based on this season is a worry.

 

[Aashir]

He has though.
58.2 xGF% and 66.7 GF% at 5v5. Both elite.
His 5v5 line and PP units have been generating shots and chances at his normal rate.
His 5v5 line and PP units have been generating goals at his normal rate.
He individually is getting his normal amount of shots, chances, and expected goal generation in both game states.
He's generating career high rebounds.
He's just picking up points at an abnormal career low rate (59% IPP, for a player who has been 70-80% his whole career) - which still leaves him producing at an elite level.
This is likely due to a number of reasons - injuries, normal fluctuations in puck luck (also resulting in a career low shooting percentage), a lack of free/easy points in OT/empty net situations, and the insane defensive responsibility that Matthews has had to take on to allow Nylander to do his thing, and jump up to get odd man rushes and breakaways - which is one reason Matthews is also the top forward in the league in blocked shots, and according to a broadcast a week or so ago, "defensive plays".
There's been a lot of goals where he had an important impact on the play but didn't get the credit.
Unfortunately, some people only seem to be able to appreciate his impact when he's potting 60 goals...

And i see where our differences stem.

You use stats to back up advanced stats, so if a player has great advanced stats but not as good normal stats, then he’s stil performing and is just unlucky

I see it the other way. If a player is playing bad but has great advanced stats, I see that as a negative. He’s creating but isn’t finishing. His linemates are pacing for what they should and sometimes event more, so there’s something in his play which isn’t allowing him to get the points. That isn’t something to be celebrated, but worked on

 

[HockeyVirus]

I do, and my concern is the guy just doesn't seem to have the hunger. The thought of giving him 8 x 14 based on this season is a worry.

That's why I said I thought he was focused on playoffs and would turn it on but I mean 23 games left or whatever you would think he knows by now you can't flip a switch

 

[Leafidelity]

He has though.
58.2 xGF% and 66.7 GF% at 5v5. Both elite.
His 5v5 line and PP units have been generating shots and chances at his normal rate.
His 5v5 line and PP units have been generating goals at his normal rate.
He individually is getting his normal amount of shots, chances, and expected goal generation in both game states.
He's generating career high rebounds.
He's just picking up points at an abnormal career low rate (59% IPP, for a player who has been 70-80% his whole career) - which still leaves him producing at an elite level.
This is likely due to a number of reasons - injuries, normal fluctuations in puck luck (also resulting in a career low shooting percentage), a lack of free/easy points in OT/empty net situations, and the insane defensive responsibility that Matthews has had to take on to allow Nylander to do his thing, and jump up to get odd man rushes and breakaways - which is one reason Matthews is also the top forward in the league in blocked shots, and according to a broadcast a week or so ago, "defensive plays".
There's been a lot of goals where he had an important impact on the play but didn't get the credit.
Unfortunately, some people only seem to be able to appreciate his impact when he's potting 60 goals...

You'd think back to back scoring titles and an MVP award would allow you a little breathing room, but apparently not.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Nah, but then again you do like to exaggerate things.

 

[Dekes For Days]

And i see where our differences stem.
You use stats to back up advanced stats, so if a player has great advanced stats but not as good normal stats, then he’s stil performing and is just unlucky
I see it the other way. If a player is playing bad but has great advanced stats, I see that as a negative. He’s creating but isn’t finishing. His linemates are pacing for what they should and sometimes event more, so there’s something in his play which isn’t allowing him to get the points. That isn’t something to be celebrated, but worked on

Both basic stats and more advanced stats need to be considered.
A disparity between a player's production and their underlying metrics doesn't always "just mean unlucky", but when a player has consistently proven he is one thing through every single year of his career since he stepped foot in the NHL, and then through a 50-game stretch, literally everything remains the same except for his personal SH% and the amount he gets point credit for goals he contributes to, you don't just suddenly jump to the conclusion that he sucks now, isn't having any impact, and is being carried by a lesser player that's mysteriously having a career year next to him, and ignore all of the pretty obvious reasons for this abnormality.

 

[blueberrie]

Bizarre some people are saying no here. The man has seemingly lost his release for no reason. It's fine he's blocking more shots or whatever, but his losing his goal scoring ability is something to note for sure.

It used to be as soon as he was stepping towards the net you could just assume it was a laser and a goal. Now I just expect him to bobble the puck or it skip over his stick.

 

[34]

Not the same player he used to be. Hoping he returns ASAP.

 

[Leaf Fans]

The "why" is pretty clear. Perhaps he should moon security guards every off season.

Moon Security guard = Rocket Richard trophy

No Moon Security guard = 27th in the league in goal scoring. you know who else is 27? John Tavares. You know who else did not moon a security guard in the off season, John Tavares. Coincidence? I think not.

What lesson did we learn here?

Auston Mathews mooned a security guard in the summer of 2019 and scored 80 points that season. One thing we should have learned is that if you want a false equivalencey, you should present the correct facts.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

I think he is leaving Toronto. I think his mind is made up.

Yup. He's just playing out the string and can't wait to get out of could, dreary Canada.

 

[RunItBackAgain]

I mean he shows flashes of how good he was for the majority of last year but its never for more than a couple periods.

It is concerning and I don't like the idea of turning it on in the playoffs. You practice how you play and you cant expect to just go 50% harder game 1 and have everything keep up with zero game practice all season. He needs to start ramping it up but my opinion is he'd be a better player if he played at an elite pace every game and kept trying to find an even higher gear.

The biggest concern is where his shot has gone. He misses the net 50% of the time and the power seems to have gone from his wrister. He's also not dragging it how he used to. Completely different shot

 

[57 Years No Cup]

I do, and my concern is the guy just doesn't seem to have the hunger. The thought of giving him 8 x 14 based on this season is a worry.

His heart is just not in playing in Toronto. He sees the light at the end of the tunnel.

Our new GM needs to trade him after the Leafs are eliminated and before his NMC kicks in.

 

[al secord]

The "why" is pretty clear. Perhaps he should moon security guards every off season.

Moon Security guard = Rocket Richard trophy

No Moon Security guard = 27th in the league in goal scoring. you know who else is 27? John Tavares. You know who else did not moon a security guard in the off season, John Tavares. Coincidence? I think not.

What lesson did we learn here?

You really do need help.