Player Discussion Auston Matthews (Captain Edition)

[mydnyte]

The only thing that never changed under the Shanaplan is the core. Once this core fails again, hoping changes will be made, Shanna and marner first to go.

Who knew Matthew’s would be a worse captain then tavernas but here we are

if you moved the Leafs team to Florida, the entire 'core' would cost about 10-15% less and the supporting cast would be that much better, it is Not the core, its the imbalance in quality depth created by no tax/low tax states VS high tax states.

 

[Lightsol]

The only thing that never changed under the Shanaplan is the core. Once this core fails again, hoping changes will be made, Shanna and marner first to go.

Who knew Matthew’s would be a worse captain then tavernas but here we are

"Matthews looks like shit offensively, so let's put even MORE of the offense on him! I can't see this backfiring spectacularly!"

 

[Larcos_Unal]

if you moved the Leafs team to Florida, the entire 'core' would cost about 10-15% less and the supporting cast would be that much better, it is Not the core, its the imbalance in quality depth created by no tax/low tax states VS high tax states.

Tax aside, depth aside, cap hit aside, do you honestly feel that Matthews is living up to his contract this playoff season?

 

[DarkKnight]

His rapid stick handling exhibitions that go nowhere, rather than a true north south attack, that's the problem. He's trying to dazzle, recall how Sundin would use that frame to lean in, rather than curl back.

 

[arso40]

Tax aside, depth aside, cap hit aside, do you honestly feel that Matthews is living up to his contract this playoff season?

He isn’t but he hasn’t all year and flew to Germany mid season the years been a wash in my opinion anything you get is a bonus that’s why we gotta rejig the lineup put marner with someone he can work with nylander can score Matthews can defend

 

[Stephen]

His rapid stick handling exhibitions that go nowhere, rather than a true north south attack, that's the problem. He's trying to dazzle, recall how Sundin would use that frame to lean in, rather than curl back.

His razzle dazzle stick handling is becoming easier to defend because he stops moving his feet powering north. Once confronted he curls back and looks for a random pass swinging around or drops it off.

Mats Sundin would shovel it along before popping out the hip, lowering the opposite shoulder and just try to get through the crowd.

Even a Jack Eichel. He’s a fussy stick handler but he doesn’t stop moving his feet and can change his angle of attack with speed.

 

[Bronxxx]

Signed his 4 yr contract.

 

[DarkKnight]

His razzle dazzle stick handling is becoming easier to defend because he stops moving his feet powering north. Once confronted he curls back and looks for a random pass swinging around or drops it off.

Mats Sundin would shovel it along before popping out the hip, lowering the opposite shoulder and just try to get through the crowd.

Even a Jack Eichel. He’s a fussy stick handler but he doesn’t stop moving his feet and can change his angle of attack with speed.

Exactly, nobody bites on his dazzle and it fizzles out.

 

[weems]

His razzle dazzle stick handling is becoming easier to defend because he stops moving his feet powering north. Once confronted he curls back and looks for a random pass swinging around or drops it off.

Mats Sundin would shovel it along before popping out the hip, lowering the opposite shoulder and just try to get through the crowd.

Even a Jack Eichel. He’s a fussy stick handler but he doesn’t stop moving his feet and can change his angle of attack with speed.

You can really see it when there's a straight line to a puck and instead of keeping his speed and winning the 50/50 puck race, he'll slow up, jump around the defender and attempt a stick lift/puck swipe all in one motion.

 

[Lightsol]

Mats Sundin would shovel it along before popping out the hip, lowering the opposite shoulder and just try to get through the crowd.

Mats Sundin had an unreal ability to get to the net no matter who was trying to stop him. Matthews has the size to do that, but he reminds me more of early career JVR; he COULD do it, but just chooses not to.

 

[Stephen]

You can really see it when there's a straight line to a puck and instead of keeping his speed and winning the 50/50 puck race, he'll slow up, jump around the defender and attempt a stick lift/puck swipe all in one motion.

He did that in vs Ridly Greig in Game 4 vs Ottawa in the first minutes of the game and I said - it’s going to be one of those nights.

 

[Stephen]

Mats Sundin had an unreal ability to get to the net no matter who was trying to stop him. Matthews has the size to do that, but he reminds me more of early career JVR; he COULD do it, but just chooses not to.

Honestly I would just say Mats just played to his size potential whereas Matthews is about that size but is wired with the mentality of a smaller finesse player.

 

[Tak7]

What does it matter if he is scoring the goal or setting up a goal? No one has been able to explain that to me. Production is production.

The way he is talked about is like he has 2 points in 12 games

How many goals did he score or setup in game 4?

It's great that they've maximized their depth scoring up to this point, but most of their roster is playing at their peak and giving you their maximum.

It's now time for him to score - he needs to have a much bigger impact at 5on5. They don't win with out it.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

What does it matter if he is scoring the goal or setting up a goal? No one has been able to explain that to me. Production is production.

The way he is talked about is like he has 2 points in 12 games

C'mon man, Matthews is the goal scorer and Marner is the setup man. Don't play coy.
3 goals in his last 20 playoff games which is a 12 goal pace over an 82 game season. Simply unacceptable.

 

[TMLAM34]

If they loose this Florida series being up 2-0 to begin, I would put EVERYTHING on the table… Including trading Matthews and I’m a huge fan of his.

 

[Stephen]

We need Matthews to go ape and break out like Mikko Rantanen. Just live up to your potential, build that positive legacy and take Leafs Nation on that journey. It’s just extremely frustrating to see your most important player not able to contribute the way he’s supposed to.

 

[HockeyVirus]

How many goals did he score or setup in game 4?

It's great that they've maximized their depth scoring up to this point, but most of their roster is playing at their peak and giving you their maximum.

It's now time for him to score - he needs to have a much bigger impact at 5on5. They don't win with out it.

Well how many goals did Marner score in game 4? Or Knies, Nylander, Tavares, etc?

Game 4 is pretty clearly an outlier game given they spent the entire first period short handed and most of the players sat on the bench cold and could never get up to speed that entire game.

C'mon man, Matthews is the goal scorer and Marner is the setup man. Don't play coy.
3 goals in his last 20 playoff games which is a 12 goal pace over an 82 game season. Simply unacceptable.

If the teams defense are pressuring Matthews to take away his shot, his linemates will be getting chances and that has been what is happening. Both Marner and Knies are getting chances as the F1 and F3 because as soon as they enter the zone the defense is taking Matthews right away.

He has been doing a great job at holding onto the puck to draw in a guy and then finding one of his linemates with a bit of open ice. He has to take what is there.

 

[arso40]

We need Matthews to go ape and break out like Mikko Rantanen. Just live up to your potential, build that positive legacy and take Leafs Nation on that journey. It’s just extremely frustrating to see your most important player not able to contribute the way he’s supposed to.

I agree but why cant marner do it Hes the smartest player we have

 

[arso40]

C'mon man, Matthews is the goal scorer and Marner is the setup man. Don't play coy.
3 goals in his last 20 playoff games which is a 12 goal pace over an 82 game season. Simply unacceptable.

Why is marner just the set up man Hes scored 30 plenty of times in his career

 

[colchar]

We need to change this thread title from 'Auston Matthews Captain Edition' to 'Auston Matthews Playoff Ghost Edition'.

 

[Stephen]

I agree but why cant marner do it Hes the smartest player we have

We’re not going to go anywhere if the conversation is always about why can’t the other guy pull their weight. Marner has to take care of his own business too.

 

[arso40]

We’re not going to go anywhere if the conversation is always about why can’t the other guy pull their weight. Marner has to take care of his own business too.

Which I agree with but everyone seems to be honing in on just the injured Matthews which is weird and absolving the injury free marner blame them both if you’d like but I’d think the injury free player would be able to compensate for the injured player just my presumption I guess

 

[Stephen]

Which I agree with but everyone seems to be honing in on just the injured Matthews which is weird and absolving the injury free marner blame them both if you’d like but I’d think the injury free player would be able to compensate for the injured player just my presumption I guess

My guy, it’s an Auston Matthews specific thread. If you want to read Marner the riot act that place also exists. The criticism is there too.

 

[arso40]

My guy, it’s an Auston Matthews specific thread. If you want to read Marner the riot act that place also exists. The criticism is there too.

My friend your missing the point I’m trying to make It’s pointless critiquing an injured player period he flew to Germany during the season while we were playing games and we’re still sitting here complaining that he isn’t doing enough he hasn’t all season that’s not gonna miraculously Change now

 

[Stephen]

My friend your missing the point I’m trying to make It’s pointless critiquing an injured player period he flew to Germany during the season while we were playing games and we’re still sitting here complaining that he isn’t doing enough he hasn’t all season that’s not gonna miraculously Change now

Well that raises even bigger fundamental issues.

Aka why did he go to Germany to look for exotic bandaid treatments when he had 6 months to seek a different path and get right for the Stanley Cup playoffs?

Oh right, prioritizing non Leaf commitments in an exhibition tournament.