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

[Ol' Jase]

Lol. Take that ‘this season’ back to 16-17 and how many more opportunities do the oilers have?

Edmonton has 1,777. Toronto has 1,715.

Oilers have had 62 more PP than Toronto since 2016-17.

 

[Byron Bitz]

yea you're correct. I don't know why I assumed it was a 5 year deal. He'll need to average 84.5

People often refer to it as a 5 year deal because the contract doesn’t start until next year so it’s 5 more years of Matthews in Toronto.

 

[AvroArrow]

I don’t feel like that is a likely explanation. Why would the refs, who there are many of, conspire to rig games against the leafs?

Leafs are a cash cow, doesn't matter if the team sucks or not, the NHL will always be able to milk them for millions. Smaller franchises ? Not the case. That's the only logical thing I can think of. That reasoning could be wrong as well, tbh I don't know the exact reason why. But it does happen. I've seen it happen with Toronto and Edmonton. Or maybe the old boys club still doesn't want actual skill to shine and want to cater more towards the plugs and "old time physical" hockey, aka bunch of slow ass plugs interfering the entire game as we see in the playoffs.

 

[The90]

Edmonton has 1,777. Toronto has 1,715.

Oilers have had 62 more PP than Toronto since 2016-17.

Woof. As another possession team, it doesn’t make sense. I don’t think it’s a huge conspiracy, I just think it’s easier not to call something questionable vs a big market, than it is to make an iffy call. There’s no reason to have huge discrepancies like that.

Our friend from boston thinks it’s 2011, the big bad bruins are still around and that’s the reason. But it’s just not true. Boston hasn’t been tough in years. I’d be surprised if the leafs don’t push them around a bit this year if they end up playing eachother. That’s not me saying the leafs are ultra tough either, but they do hold their own.

 

[Ol' Jase]

Woof. As another possession team, it doesn’t make sense. I don’t think it’s a huge conspiracy, I just think it’s easier not to call something questionable vs a big market, than it is to make an iffy call. There’s no reason to have huge discrepancies like that.

Our friend from boston thinks it’s 2011, the big bad bruins are still around and that’s the reason. But it’s just not true. Boston hasn’t been tough in years. I’d be surprised if the leafs don’t push them around a bit this year if they end up playing eachother. That’s not me saying the leafs are ultra tough either, but they do hold their own.

Sorry, are you say there is a huge discrepancy between Edmonton and Toronto, or both teams vs. the rest of the league?

 

[Maple Leaf]

I don’t feel like that is a likely explanation. Why would the refs, who there are many of, conspire to rig games against the leafs?

I don't think there is a conspiracy. I think there is some subconscious bias

 

[Idiot Stick]

Woof. As another possession team, it doesn’t make sense. I don’t think it’s a huge conspiracy, I just think it’s easier not to call something questionable vs a big market, than it is to make an iffy call. There’s no reason to have huge discrepancies like that.

Our friend from boston thinks it’s 2011, the big bad bruins are still around and that’s the reason. But it’s just not true. Boston hasn’t been tough in years. I’d be surprised if the leafs don’t push them around a bit this year if they end up playing eachother. That’s not me saying the leafs are ultra tough either, but they do hold their own.

8.8 powerplays a season is that big of a difference?

Leafs are a cash cow, doesn't matter if the team sucks or not, the NHL will always be able to milk them for millions. Smaller franchises ? Not the case. That's the only logical thing I can think of. That reasoning could be wrong as well, tbh I don't know the exact reason why. But it does happen. I've seen it happen with Toronto and Edmonton. Or maybe the old boys club still doesn't want actual skill to shine and want to cater more towards the plugs and "old time physical" hockey, aka bunch of slow ass plugs interfering the entire game as we see in the playoffs.

my other team are the cowboys (cause i hate myself i guess), i def see some big market bias there, think we went like 8 or 9 games without a single holding call for us, and nonstop phantom holdings against us.
They still suck even without those, but annoying to see anyway

 

[Dog]

At least this Leafs team got 60 goal scorer. Those late years in 2000's and for good portion of 2010's were not fun to watch. Not many games left but if averages about a goal/game he should hit 70.

 

[Frank Drebin]

At least this Leafs team got 60 goal scorer. Those late years in 2000's and for good portion of 2010's were not fun to watch

stanley cup is the ultimate goal but watching your team win more games than lose during an 82 game regular season is still fun. Superstars doing well is just the cherry on top.

 

[Juxta Position]

Leafs are a cash cow, doesn't matter if the team sucks or not, the NHL will always be able to milk them for millions. Smaller franchises ? Not the case. That's the only logical thing I can think of. That reasoning could be wrong as well, tbh I don't know the exact reason why. But it does happen. I've seen it happen with Toronto and Edmonton. Or maybe the old boys club still doesn't want actual skill to shine and want to cater more towards the plugs and "old time physical" hockey, aka bunch of slow ass plugs interfering the entire game as we see in the playoffs.

The bolded is the answer right there. I personally chalk that up to the insecurity of the league though. the NHL has a huge inferiority complex with the other leagues and isn't willing to let the game itself sell the sport, so they feel the need to artificially create "drama and intensity" by managing the games.

Think about how many times a game is close and the trailing team gets a ticky tack powerplay when, for most of the game, the refs had swallowed their whistles. It's so contrived it's become a joke. I can usually predict the refs game script after watching about 10 minutes of the first period and am about 90% right about when the next penalty will happen and which teams turn it is for the powerplay.


the NHL thinks it's needs to artificially create this drama for fans to watch, instead of just allowing the best players in the worlds hardest game play and show off their skills.

 

[Dog]

stanley cup is the ultimate goal but watching your team win more games than lose during an 82 game regular season is still fun. Superstars doing well is just the cherry on top.

Yep, pretty much how I view each season. As we seen alot worse in regular seasons in past.

 

[Divine]

Edmonton has 6 more PP chances than Toronto this season. Not exactly night and day differences we're talking about.

Both teams don't get called nearly as much as they likely should.

Edmonton has played less games also, yet gotten more PP.

I think the tweet was in reference to last season.

"Teams take less penalties against Toronto because they know their PP is good" contradicts the Oilers last season with an all-time great PP percentage whille sitting 6th in the NHL in PP opportunities a game.

 

[The90]

Sorry, are you say there is a huge discrepancy between Edmonton and Toronto, or both teams vs. the rest of the league?

Both. As possession teams, there shouldn’t be that big of a difference

 

[Ol' Jase]

Edmonton has played less games also, yet gotten more PP.

I think the tweet was in reference to last season.

"Teams take less penalties against Toronto because they know their PP is good" contradicts the Oilers last season with an all-time great PP percentage whille sitting 6th in the NHL in PP opportunities a game.

One less game and 6 more PP. Is that a valid argument for a “huge difference”?

The Oilers had 29 more PP that Toronto last year over the course of 82 games. Basically one extra PP opportunity every three games.

The idea that somehow the league is inherently biased against the Leafs now is dialling up the absurd to astronomical levels.

 

[Strangle]

View attachment 843833

What a f***ing legend

 

[Ol' Jase]

Both. As possession teams, there shouldn’t be that big of a difference

That’s a 3.5% difference. How on earth is that “big”?

One extra PP every nine games for Edmonton compared to Toronto since 2016-17. It’s unbelievable that anyone would claim that to be significant, nevermind some sort of proof the Leafs are getting screwed intentionally.

 

[The90]

That’s a 3.5% difference. How on earth is that “big”?

That should say both teams vs rest of the league.

 

[Strangle]

It was 41 in 52



It means he was on pace for it silly, no need to get all huffy and puffy over it

30 games to score 19 goals is pretty much in the bag speaking about Matthews

That’s a slow ass pace for him

 

[Strangle]

Quick math suggested that he was on pace for 76 goals through the same number of games this season, but reality has played out and he just hit 60 with 9 games to go.

There are no guarantees. There’s a very select few players in NHL who get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to projecting out high paces over entire seasons, and Matthews isn’t one of them.

Similar to Crosby fans, Matthews fans are getting a little distracted by the what if and pace game, when the player is actually still doing wonderful things.

What are you taking about? Of course Matthews has earned the benefit of the doubt, from every fan of the league.

No one has multiple 60 goal seasons in about 30 years. 30 years, that’s older than a lot of posters in this thread. Except Matthews.

Of course he would have hit 60 in the Covid shortened season. That season was his coming out party, and he was robbed.

He’ll get 3 legit 60 goal seasons, but he was robbed of it that year.

Guy is just on another level and you haven’t caught on yet

 

[Strangle]

I gotta say it does seem odd how they don't get as many.

Sure sometimes it changes up based on players on a team but the Leafs seem to continuously be at the bottom.

Matthews line drives play it doesn't add up.

It’s all got to do with game management

Because Toronto plays so soft and doesn’t commit any penalties, the refs can’t call that many power plays for them, or it would be too lopsided

 

[93gilmour93]

What a f***ing legend

 

[Strangle]

I don't think there is a conspiracy. I think there is some subconscious bias

I think it’s 100% conscious. But not against the Leafs specifically.

Leafs get caught up in it, but it’s not a conspiracy surrounding the leafs. It’s just game management and how it has worked out for a team that takes very few penalties.

You only draw the penalties you take in the NHL. Its ridiculous. Equity is bullshit

Also, I love coming into a leaf thread and watching my fellow leaf fans smacking around all the usual loser takes from other fanbases

Smack ‘em up, fellas!

 

[Ol' Jase]

Of course he would have hit 60 in the Covid shortened season. That season was his coming out party, and he was robbed.

So as long as we’re cool saying that McDavid would have had 150 points that year as well, then we’ll treat it as an absolute.

 

[Strangle]

So as long as we’re cool saying that McDavid would have had 150 points that year as well, then we’ll treat it as an absolute.

I need to look at his stats, but I don’t see why he wouldn’t have.

Probably should hit 150 this year if not for his slow start.

I wouldn’t ever bet against McDavid when it comes to points

105 points in 56 games. Ya we can give him 150 that year

 

[The Podium]

So as long as we’re cool saying that McDavid would have had 150 points that year as well, then we’ll treat it as an absolute.

Honestly, without a doubt he would have