Auston Matthews 69 goals in 81 games, most goals scored since Lemieux in 1995-96

[v00d00daddy]

I think most people agree that Matthews is the best goal scorer in a long time. But what's annoying is the people that are overly confident that he's got a great shot at being the GOAT.

Guy will be 27 next season and will still be 6 rockets back of Ovechkin.

There’s definitely a long way to go but if anybody has a shot, it’s matthews. Simply because of his pace.

The hardest things will be keeping up this kind of pace for enough seasons and staying healthy enough to do it.

I’m not thinking about that any time soon.

 

[34]

I'm not denying that he doesn't have a shot. McDavid also has a shot at breaking Gretzky's Ross record... doesn't mean it's anywhere near a good shot or reasonable.

It's the way some fans are acting as if it's a done deal or very likely. Matthews has statistically his best ages behind him, and still needs 6 more rockets after this season. Not that it's not possible, but it's extremely unlikely.

Matthews best years are NOT behind him. He is just entering his prime!

He had that lingering wrist issue that he had surgery on and still managed to win 2 rockets not at 100% health. He is finally healthy now and we about about to see the best of him.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

To be fair I tend to stay away from any Leaf or Matthews threads, reading through them isn't good for my brain.

there can be alot of good conversations just u gotta get through all the haters and defenders

 

[Judas Tavares]

Matthews currently has 12 more goals than the nearest competitor and strong primary assist numbers. But according to experts, that is just proof how one dimensional the game is of the league leader in takeaways, top 5 forward in blocks and Selke level defensive centre.

“Sure in basketball or football you might care about the guy who actually scored,” said Ben Wright. “But this is hockey. And real fans know the hero of every scoring play is the guy who touched the puck third to last.”

Wright added that, even if he does get 70 goals, Matthews still wouldn’t be regular season MVP because he wasn’t very good in the second round of the playoffs last year.

 

[Planetov]

Matthews best years are NOT behind him. He is just entering his prime!

He had that lingering wrist issue that he had surgery on and still managed to win 2 rockets not at 100% health. He is finally healthy now and we about about to see the best of him.

He said “statistically best,” not prime. Both can be, and are likely, true. Many of the greats hit their peak about this age, give or take a couple of years.

 

[Drytoast]

I'm not denying that he doesn't have a shot. McDavid also has a shot at breaking Gretzky's Ross record... doesn't mean it's anywhere near a good shot or reasonable.

It's the way some fans are acting as if it's a done deal or very likely. Matthews has statistically his best ages behind him, and still needs 6 more rockets after this season. Not that it's not possible, but it's extremely unlikely.


Your point? What Ovechkin did from 27 onwards is significantly harder than what he did from 20-27 (from a goalscoring perspective).

The rocket isn't the barometer. Matthews could score 60 while someone like Pasta could score 65. That's still putting him above Ovi.

 

[SkinsFan09]

What about 2 seasons ago when he won the Rocket, Hart and Ted Lindsay. Also scored 51 goals in 50 games. 60 goal season. Not good? McDavid was better??

Who said that season wasn't good? The best player in the league is still in Edmonton. 3 MVPs, soon to be 7 100 point seasons, 5 Art Rosses and a Richard as a pass-first player.

Again, this doesn't slight Matthews who is also showing he is a generational talent.

 

[MadLuke]

Hard to score now compared to other era's ......Players now are so much faster and stronger...and goalies are just bigger with bigger equipment.

Not sure about that one, pre 2004 lock-out the Garth Snow shoulder pad, peak Giguere, I do not feel now is bigger than ever in that regard.

Coming back from the lock-out they reduced goaltender equipment max size by 11% and continued ever since.

Save percentage the last 2 seasons were around .9035.

In 2014-2015-2016 it was around .915, in 1999 large goaltender gear era it was .908 despite way more powerplays.

 

[gretzkyoilers]

If Matthews scores 70 goals this season, that would be historic. It would be a signature season in hockey. Like McDavid’s 153 points last year.

No one has scored 70 goals in over 30 years, and that amount of time represents a massive chunk of all of hockey history. In fact, almost all 70 goal seasons happened from 1981-1993, with one in 1971. And most of them involved Gretzky or Lemieux, or someone who played with Gretzky, Lemieux or Orr.

If you told me 3 years ago someone would score 70 goals; I wouldn’t have believed it. It’s great for hockey. McDavid is shattering thinking of what’s possible with points, and Matthews is shattering thinking of what’s possible with goals.

I think McDavid's 153 is more impressive. He also got 64 goals. The most dominant players we've seen since Mario / Jagr

Not sure about that one, pre 2004 lock-out the Garth Snow shoulder pad, peak Giguere, I do not feel now is bigger than ever in that regard.

Coming back from the lock-out they reduced goaltender equipment max size by 11% and continued ever since.

Save percentage despite the last 2 seasons were around .9035.

In 2014-2015-2016 it was around .915, 98-99 large goaltender gear era it was .908 despite way more powerplays.

THIS! In recent years they've reduced the size of goalie equipment and players now have more net to shoot at. in the past 3 years it is starting to look like the 80's and 90's again in terms of scoring.

 

[Busher]

I think McDavid's 153 is more impressive. He also got 64 goals. The most dominant players we've seen since Mario / Jagr

I would agree McDavid’s 153 points is more impressive. It’s the most impressive season since, say, the year 2000.

If Matthews scores 70 goals, I would consider that the second most impressive season since the year 2000.

 

[LivingRentFree]

I would agree McDavid’s 153 points is more impressive. It’s the most impressive season since, say, the year 2000.

If Matthews scores 70 goals, I would consider that the second most impressive season since the year 2000.

Meh, when 50% of your production is on the powerplay it looses a bit of pizzazz for me.

 

[cyris]

Same could have been said about Ovie all those years ago. Matthews is pacing the same as Ovie did back in the day.

Matthews has already had way more injuries than Ovie ever did early in their careers. And Ovie carried that health late into his 30s.

Part of what makes Ovie so amazing isn’t just how prolific of a goal scorer he was but how long he was able to do it and how he avoided injury

 

[gretzkyoilers]

Meh, when 50% of your production is on the powerplay it looses a bit of pizzazz for me.

The Oilers that year had the best power play in history. Likely due to McDavid...that is no small feat given the powerhouse pre-cap teams of the past including the 80's Oilers....

 

[AvroArrow]

There are several players I'd pick over Matthews as "best in the NHL", but that shouldn't take anything away from the season he's having. The most exciting goal scorer since prime Ovechkin.

The obvious one is McDavid, then guys like Makar, Mackinnon, Kucherov and maybe Pastrnak are all in the same bracket as Matthews.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

Meh, when 50% of your production is on the powerplay it looses a bit of pizzazz for me.

wow, 71 PPPs lol

 

[Idiot Stick]

AM34 representing the US really well, curious to see how many he'll get to end the year

 

[SkinsFan09]

Meh, when 50% of your production is on the powerplay it looses a bit of pizzazz for me.

5 on 5 and PP goals count the same.

Lemieux had half his points on the powerplay in 1995-96 so what? He was still the best player in the world.

 

[EazyE1]

Not sure if he cant get to HuLL, Modano, or Kane level but I hope so. Keep that level highhhh

 

[Video Nasty]

I’m simply thankful we’re in a league that is conducive to what both these players (and the other main Hart threats) are capable of.

150 points in the books just 10 months ago, potentially 70-75 goals, potentially 100 assists, possibly 3 players breaching 130 points. This is good shit. Try to enjoy it.

 

[Confucius]

I mean he's more or less got this year's in the bag already, but even if he never won the Rocket again I wouldn't put it past him to still hit 800+.

Dude is remarkably consistent so even if, every season, there was one player who just edged him out for the Rocket, it wouldn't surprise me if Matthews just kept scoring at will.

That said, I bet he'd trade a Rocket or two for some actual team success.

If he wins the rocket this year, he would have won his 3rd at a younger age than Ovi….

 

[Dr Pepper]

Not sure if he cant get to HuLL, Modano, or Kane level but I hope so. Keep that level highhhh

Hull is Canadian.

And he's 100% on pace to break Modano's all-time goals record, probably in 3-4 seasons.

Only 211 goals away. He'll pass Kane along the way.

 

[authentic]

He said “statistically best,” not prime. Both can be, and are likely, true. Many of the greats hit their peak about this age, give or take a couple of years.

But is it a fact that his best years are behind him? I don’t think so, even if history says that’s most likely. I thought we weren’t allowed to talk about things that “might” happen, maybe Matthews falls off a cliff after this season. Would I bet on it? Not a chance. More likely scenario is he scores at pretty close to the same level he’s doing this season. There’s simply no indication of anything in his game that will decline noticeably in the next few seasons, if anything he will find ways to get better, barring injury.

 

[Dr Pepper]

If he wins the rocket this year, he would have won his 3rd at a younger age than Ovi….

No doubt, but like I said he doesn't even NEED any more Rocket trophies going forward in order to end up among the all-time scoring greats by the time he hangs 'em up. As long as he keeps up his consistency he'll get there.

Whether or not he catches Ovy, who's to say. Maybe.

 

[Confucius]

Hull is Canadian.

And he's 100% on pace to break Modano's all-time goals record, probably in 3-4 seasons.

Only 211 goals away. He'll pass Kane along the way.

Well he played for the U S in international tournaments, and he lives there.

 

[wetcoast]

Matthews currently has 12 more goals than the nearest competitor and strong primary assist numbers. But according to experts, that is just proof how one dimensional the game is of the league leader in takeaways, top 5 forward in blocks and Selke level defensive centre.

“Sure in basketball or football you might care about the guy who actually scored,” said Ben Wright. “But this is hockey. And real fans know the hero of every scoring play is the guy who touched the puck third to last.”

Wright added that, even if he does get 70 goals, Matthews still wouldn’t be regular season MVP because he wasn’t very good in the second round of the playoffs last year.

Who in the hell is Ben Wright....last year doesn't matter.