Anyone else concerned about Matthews?

[Arzak]

McDavid on every list

 

[Ianturnedbull]

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

No.

 

[Jojalu]

The nhl is closer to mls soccer than to nfl/nba/mlb.

And McDavid is paid a kings ransom compared to mls players.

Fair point.

 

[ULF_55]

Concern was warranted.

He was injured.

Kind of obvious eh?

Edit:
Those that weren't concerned what the heck were you watching?

 

[Gary Nylund]

I'm less concerned than I was a couple of weeks ago, that's for damn sure!

On one hand I'm excited about the possibility of M&M both being in top form (or close to it) for the playoffs. On the other hand, I'm concerned about how badly we're still playing at times this close to the playoffs. Last night was fine but the two games before that, those were real stinkers. Can't take so many nights off in the playoffs, that's for sure.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Concern was warranted.

He was injured.

Kind of obvious eh?

Edit:
Those that weren't concerned what the heck were you watching?

For sure. I was just wondering why the hell he was even playing if he was hurt but now it looks like they knew what they were doing so all is good.

Some of these takes though, oh boy. My favorite was that Matthews has "checked out" until he's leaving at the end of his contract. Wins the Hart/Lindsay/Rocket and then decides to take the next two years off, sounds reasonable.

 

[Dekes For Days]

he isn't.
He's the standard. By definition, he's paid appropriately.

No one player creates a standard. McDavid is undeniably underpaid. Heck, by definition, he was underpaid the second he signed, because even aside from the fact that he negotiated less than he was actually worth, he also took less than his negotiated value. And has really done nothing but exceed his expected progression.

 

[Zybalto]

Goals per game:
2021-2022: 0.822
2022-2023: 0.531

Assists per game:
2021-2022: 0.630
2022-2023: 0.609

Points per game:
2021-2022: 1.452
2022-2023: 1.141

Shots Taken:
2021-2022: 13.88/60
2019-2022: 12.61/60
2022-2023: 12.58/60

Shooting%:
2021-2022: 17.24%
2019-2022: 17.21%
2022-2023: 12.50%



No need to overthink things here. Matthews has admittedly dealt with a hand injury affecting his game much of the year, especially his shooting%. He took slightly more shots last season as well but that may have been due to playing with Marner more often than not. His primary assist totals are also solidly higher this season too as an offset.

He's been looking good lately though so hopefully he's gonna be reaching his peak health for the playoffs.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

No one player creates a standard. McDavid is undeniably underpaid.

If you USE him as the standard, then our overpay RFA contracts just dont add up.
It isnt really possible to create a perpetual cup contender with our forward salary overpay contracts.
Dubas signed the deals and he must own up that his moves havent been successful and the answer was to NOT sign overpay contracts. Acquiring Tavares was the beginning of the overpaying.

I do realize that only fans care about winning. It's a myth that organizations really care about winning. Players themselves dont really care either. Spare a few like Crosby, Marchand, Stamkos and McDavid. Sure they wouldn't mind winning, but they don't take value contracts to help get teammates to round out their team. The toxic level of "Me first" team culture is the responsiblity of Shanahan and he needs to go for it. But the Leafs limp into the second round after beating a "getting bad" Tampa team. Next year Tampa will have TML-level bloated contracts with Sergachev getting paid amongst others.

 

[Dekes For Days]

If you USE him as the standard, then our overpay RFA contracts just dont add up.
It isnt really possible to create a perpetual cup contender with our forward salary overpay contracts.

Again, one player is not a standard, much less somebody who is more of an outlier than anything. McDavid is undeniably underpaid relative to both his impact and market value.
Our RFA contracts were not overpays, all of them are outperforming their contracts, and we are a perpetual contender.

I do realize that only fans care about winning. It's a myth that organizations really care about winning. Players themselves dont really care either.

What a ridiculous statement. All of teams, players, and fans care about winning.

 

[Gary Nylund]

If you USE him as the standard, then our overpay RFA contracts just dont add up.
It isnt really possible to create a perpetual cup contender with our forward salary overpay contracts.
Dubas signed the deals and he must own up that his moves havent been successful and the answer was to NOT sign overpay contracts. Acquiring Tavares was the beginning of the overpaying.

I do realize that only fans care about winning. It's a myth that organizations really care about winning. Players themselves dont really care either. Spare a few like Crosby, Marchand, Stamkos and McDavid. Sure they wouldn't mind winning, but they don't take value contracts to help get teammates to round out their team. The toxic level of "Me first" team culture is the responsiblity of Shanahan and he needs to go for it. But the Leafs limp into the second round after beating a "getting bad" Tampa team. Next year Tampa will have TML-level bloated contracts with Sergachev getting paid amongst others.

I'm hoping this doesn't age well and we're celebrating winning the cup in a few months.

 

[AvroArrow]

he isn't.
He's the standard. By definition, he's paid appropriately.

You need a yardstick.
He's the yardstick.

If he's paid appropriately it means every single other player in the league is massively overpaid

 

[notbias]

In the next 4 years, his contract will look really good.

This site says his contract is great value.

The NHL's 10 Best Contracts of 2022-23 - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More

In a salary-cap league, finding bargain contracts is the key to success. Here are the NHL's 10 most valuable contracts as of 2022-23.

thehockeywriters.com

I dont see any leafs on this list.

Nylander should be on the list over a few.

 

[Jojalu]

Again, one player is not a standard, much less somebody who is more of an outlier than anything. McDavid is undeniably underpaid relative to both his impact and market value.
Our RFA contracts were not overpays, all of them are outperforming their contracts, and we are a perpetual contender.

What a ridiculous statement. All of teams, players, and fans care about winning.

The key here is that players and organizations know how difficult it is to win and how much luck is needed.

The best any team can do is put themselves in a position for long term success.

 

[IPS]

The key here is that players and organizations know how difficult it is to win and how much luck is needed.

The best any team can do is put themselves in a position for long term success.

God you guys just cling to your "luck" and run with it

The Leafs have failed and have failed BAD in the playoffs. Luck has nothing to do with some of these epic choke jobs the Leafs have pulled off.

 

[Jojalu]

God you guys just cling to your "luck" and run with it

The Leafs have failed and have failed BAD in the playoffs. Luck has nothing to do with some of these epic choke jobs the Leafs have pulled off.

My comment has nothing to do with the Leafs except for they play in a Pro Sports league.

The Leafs have failed. That does not take away from how much luck is needed to win 4 rounds.

Find a single peraon in any pro sports league that won't say the exact thing.

You need talent, desire and luck to win. Take any one of those away and you will have zero chance of winning

 

[IPS]

My comment has nothing to do with the Leafs except for they play in a Pro Sports league.

The Leafs have failed. That does not take away from how much luck is needed to win 4 rounds.

Find a single peraon in any pro sports league that won't say the exact thing.

You need talent, desire and luck to win. Take any one of those away and you will have zero chance of winning

I agree. Problem is I wasn't seeing much of that talent and desire when the Leafs were getting shutout in game 5 against Columbus and game 7 against Montreal.

 

[Jojalu]

I agree. Problem is I wasn't seeing much of that talent and desire when the Leafs were getting shutout in game 5 against Columbus and game 7 against Montreal.

Horrible series no doubt.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

What a ridiculous statement. All of teams, players, and fans care about winning.

Nylander cared about winning when he abandoned his post in favor of holding Dubas hostage ?

Marner took Dubas to the cleaners to work for a coach he disliked (Babcock).

please.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Nylander cared about winning when he abandoned his post in favor of holding Dubas hostage ?
Marner took Dubas to the cleaners to work for a coach he disliked (Babcock).

Wanting the salary that you've earned and continue to outperform does not equate to not caring about winning.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Concern was warranted.

He was injured.

Kind of obvious eh?

Edit:
Those that weren't concerned what the heck were you watching?

The standings.

(Guilty)

 

[Gary Nylund]

My comment has nothing to do with the Leafs except for they play in a Pro Sports league.

The Leafs have failed. That does not take away from how much luck is needed to win 4 rounds.

Find a single peraon in any pro sports league that won't say the exact thing.

You need talent, desire and luck to win. Take any one of those away and you will have zero chance of winning

I think this is overstating things just a tad. There have been some years when the cup winner dominates, and is never seriously threatened in any playoff series. First ones that some to mind are the consecutive MTL/NYI/EDM dynasties, all those teams had some years like that.

Then again, those were all before the cap era so today, your statement is more true than it once was but still, I'd stop short of saying that without luck you have zero chance.

Then again, maybe some luck is required to stay relatively healthy during a cup run? I'm going stop thinking about this now.

 

[Jojalu]

I think this is overstating things just a tad. There have been some years when the cup winner dominates, and is never seriously threatened in any playoff series. First ones that some to mind are the consecutive MTL/NYI/EDM dynasties, all those teams had some years like that.

Then again, those were all before the cap era so today, your statement is more true than it once was but still, I'd stop short of saying that without luck you have zero chance.

Then again, maybe some luck is required to stay relatively healthy during a cup run? I'm going stop thinking about this now.

Haha

 

[Gilmour1996]

...

I do realize that only fans care about winning. It's a myth that organizations really care about winning. Players themselves dont really care either. Spare a few like Crosby, Marchand, Stamkos and McDavid. Sure they wouldn't mind winning, but they don't take value contracts to help get teammates to round out their team. The toxic level of "Me first" team culture is the responsiblity of Shanahan and he needs to go for it. ...

I don't think that's much different than the grunts working for most companies. Employees want a fair wage, recognition for their achievements, a workable relationship with their boss and co-workers, job security, working close to family, etc. above and beyond how many products are sold, their quality, vanquishing their competitors, etc. If they can get all of the above taken care of, I think most hockey players would rather win than lose.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

We lost because of bad luck = playing the victim card. No thanks.