Speculation: Are Matthews and Marner Choke Artists in Playoffs?

[Fogelhund]

I think we have heard this same thing from him for a few years now and nothing changes.
This is what happens when you, pay players ridiculous contracts before they have proven a single thing.

Nah... it has nothing to do with the contract. He wouldn't be playoff god mode, if his contract was less... he just doesn't have what it takes, to excel in the playoffs so far.

 

[Trapper]

Nah... it has nothing to do with the contract. He wouldn't be playoff god mode, if his contract was less... he just doesn't have what it takes, to excel in the playoffs so far.

When you haven’t scored a goal in 17 + playoff games, aren’t known for scoring goals in the first place, it isn’t just 1 game 7 you aren’t the go to guy.
You just aren’t that guy. You don’t pay franchise money to a 20 goal scoring winger.

 

[Fogelhund]

When you haven’t scored a goal in 17 + playoff games, aren’t known for scoring goals in the first place, it isn’t just 1 game 7 you aren’t the go to guy.
You just aren’t that guy. You don’t pay franchise money to a 20 goal scoring winger.

I agree he's overpaid. What I had disagreed with, was the other posters premise, that the only reason he had underperformed, was because he was overpaid.

 

[Mitch Matthews]

Yes, but I'm willing to bet they magically show up in the playoffs in the final year of their contract. Those two clowns are unwilling to take any sort of injury risk this soon into their contracts

 

[BudForLife]

Dude is heading back to Columbus with the 1st in tow and I don’t blame him, his family is settled in Columbus, we all knew he was a rental from day 1

Sorry I should have been more specific at the time
I meant he would be back from his injury as he was out when I posted this.
Anyway it doesn’t matter anymore.
Today it all feels like everything was just a pipe dream.

 

[Scott r]

Number 34 plays a game and he scores often..however when things don't work as in putting puck in net he can't change course and is lost. Guys like messier..bossy....ovechkin find a way to always be a plus...34 is lost..yes if given clean shots unreal..but in a game where it doesn't work he's lost...if he scored a goal in both either ot games series over....u need 34 to open scoring game 7..i dont care that he gets a hat trick vs new jersey or calgary......

 

[Scott r]

Yes, but I'm willing to bet they magically show up in the playoffs in the final year of their contract. Those two clowns are unwilling to take any sort of injury risk this soon into their contracts

He can't figure things out if its not working number 34 mommas boy

 

[Mitch Matthews]

That's exactly what I'm saying but you're unwilling to think it through logically.

There's no doubt in my mind that both Matthews and Marner decided, either consciously or unconsciously, to call it in the moment Tavares went down.

Both players know that regardless of what they do in the post season, they have one more big contract left to sign in 3 and 4 years from now. No way they take any kind of risk of a possible career ending injury.

Both players have clearly proven that money is more important to them than winning and are more than happy to only show up in non contact regular season games

 

[ottomaddox]

That's exactly what I'm saying but you're unwilling to think it through logically.

There's no doubt in my mind that both Matthews and Marner decided, either consciously or unconsciously, to call it in the moment Tavares went down.

Both players know that regardless of what they do in the post season, they have one more big contract left to sign in 3 and 4 years from now. No way they take any kind of risk of a possible career ending injury.

Both players have clearly proven that money is more important to them than winning and are more than happy to only show up in non contact regular season games

Perhaps it's time to change your username to kerfootandspezzaRdaonlyoneswhocare.

 

[Mitch Matthews]

Perhaps it's time to change your username to kerfootandspezzaRdaonlyoneswhocare.

lol, nice

 

[Mitch Matthews]

Don't anyone think for a second that these two clowns really care about doing what it takes to win in the playoffs. They clearly proved during their contract negotiations it's all about the money

While other stars in this league were signing team friendly contracts, these two losers decided to hold management hostage. Me me me and not my problem if you don't have any money left over to sign other high quality players

 

[REALTALK81]

When faced against Selke type opposition ( Bergeron, Danault) they can't do anything. Not many people can. Its up to the coach to get the match up he wants (especially at home). Why Keefe didn't split them up at all kind of baffles me. I get that they are the best offensive players on the team but if they are getting shut down all series, why not tinker with your lines a bit?

 

[Maple Leaf]

Danault is selke comptention? Wow

 

[Throw More Waffles]

When faced against Selke type opposition ( Bergeron, Danault) they can't do anything. Not many people can. Its up to the coach to get the match up he wants (especially at home). Why Keefe didn't split them up at all kind of baffles me. I get that they are the best offensive players on the team but if they are getting shut down all series, why not tinker with your lines a bit?

Oh for Christ's sake.

Why the hell are we paying these guys 11 mil if a 3 mil player can just shot BOTH of them down. It's insanity.Every team has some players that are good at defense but this is NOT happening to the other star players like Mack, Aho, Rantanen, Point, etc.

Enough of this nonsense.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

A popular reference for Matthews and Marner on the mainboards is MaMa.

 

[Munber1]

The only thing i can think of for MA and Marner to recover their respect, .... both self respect and the respect of their fans, is for them to agree to redo their contract, so they are each paid 1 million for the next season, so the Maple Leafs can have the cap space to give them a decent shot at the Stanley Cup Finals next year...and the following year they should be paid an amount that reflects how far the Maple Leafs have got in the Playoffs...the fans should start a petition called " Which is it, the money or your dignity!...we want to know where you stand!" ...so far, all they've shown is they care enough about the team to show a sad face when they fail at the playoffs....that's not worth 10M per year!

 

[93LEAFS]

Until they prove otherwise, yes. I think they can, but they haven't done enough to dispel that narrative.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Ouch.

 

[REALTALK81]

Oh for Christ's sake.

Why the hell are we paying these guys 11 mil if a 3 mil player can just shot BOTH of them down. It's insanity.Every team has some players that are good at defense but this is NOT happening to the other star players like Mack, Aho, Rantanen, Point, etc.

Enough of this nonsense.

Lmao. Every team has a guy who gets Selke votes? Also, Danaults LINE was playing well defensively. Point is, It still doesn't excuse the coach from not making a change when things weren't working. That is part of his job.

 

[Garthinater]

This is some backwards illogical nonsense.........you have somehow concluded that they would rather risk injury without a guaranteed contract??????

The last year has exposed alot of dumb statements from people and just when you think it might slow down as anti vaxers and right wing zealots are slowly are dying off.

Critical thinking must be taught at the earliest ages of development, because the most dangerous pandemic might not be COVID afterall......it appears to be STUPID

Wow talk about illogical nonsense.

 

[Trapper]

Oh for Christ's sake.

Why the hell are we paying these guys 11 mil if a 3 mil player can just shot BOTH of them down. It's insanity.Every team has some players that are good at defense but this is NOT happening to the other star players like Mack, Aho, Rantanen, Point, etc.

Enough of this nonsense.

What I’d like to know is what the hell Tavares and Muzzin are for if Shanahan is saying we are lacking killer instinct.

I mean how come these guys seem to be the only ones that don’t get it, need hand holding compared to all the guys you mention above.

If you don’t have drive, intensity, killer instinct, overall you probably won’t.

 

[cheechonaleash]

Hi there, longtime lurker, very rare poster.

I've found the solution to the Leafs problem with choking.

First, need to re-sign Zach Hyman.
Secondly, trade anyone to Boston for Brad Marchand. Anyone but Marner.
Third, put those three guys on a line and guaranteed no more choking.

Because this is the Hym-lick Marneuvre line.

 

[Arzak]

Hi there, longtime lurker, very rare poster.

I've found the solution to the Leafs problem with choking.

First, need to re-sign Zach Hyman.
Secondly, trade anyone to Boston for Brad Marchand. Anyone but Marner.
Third, put those three guys on a line and guaranteed no more choking.

Because this is the Hym-lick Marneuvre line.

This guy gets it.

On the serious note, three more choke years to UFA. Unless trade happen to recoup something. There is a real possibility of 34 walking while nothing getting back Leafs way.

 

[ZEBROA]

Tune in next year for Mitch and Auston " The Artichokes" with their play " The art of choke" in a arena near you! Bring the eggs.

 

[Racer88]

Aho just scored the overtime winner for his team...........
Marner has 1 playoff goal in the last 4 years. In hindsight what a disaster drafting him.