Player Discussion Auston Matthews (Captain Edition)

[mjd1001]

Even with this injury-filled season, still has an outside chance at becoming only the 3rd player in NHL history to score 500 goals before the age of 30.

He SHOULD do it.

He has about 200 regular season games left to accomplish it. 118 goals to score. That is 0.59 goals per game. Over the past 5 years, he has averaged 0.73. Last year he was at 0.85.

If he just scores at his career rate (nothing like last season) and didn't miss any games, he would be close to 530 career regular season goals before he turns 30.

Lets say he can average 0.7. He could miss up to 32 regular season games and hit 500 before he is 30.

If he drops down to 0.65...He could still miss almost 20 regular season games over the next 2.5 years and get it done.

I hope my math doesn't have any major errors, but i'm pretty sure I got it right.

 

[Aashir Mallik]

last night was a masterclass night from matthews. He tilted the ice severely whenever he stepped foot. He knew how to disappear from coverage and reappear right at the time for a goal.

Too bad all of that was for carolina

 

[Antropovsky]

Red flag. If he does that it's a slap. May as well move on from him and go for Rantanen or McDavid later

It's a red flag and sucks for us Leaf fans, but for owners and NHL from a business standpoint it's a good decision. Owners want to grow the game, to increase revenue and value of their teams unfortunately. Growing the game around the world, especially USA is critical to the sport.

Tampa putting Kucherov on IR and activating him in the playoffs was bad for other teams but great for the NHL. LA, Tampa and now Florida winning I'm sure is accelerating NHL growth. Meanwhile teams like the Thrashers and Coyotes didn't sustain any winning and failed.

 

[francis246]

at this point for me, if he goes to the 4N I think I might actually stop cheering for him

he's been broken for the entire season, if he decides to 'fix himself' up for the 4N than I lose all respect for him.

Lmao why? He’s gonna be there. It’s a league event, if he’s healthy the league will push for him to be there. The league wants all the stars there. It’s a revenue push, if he’s there it’s because of that and who doesn’t want to represent their country when you’re considered one of the best American players?

 

[Larcos_Unal]

I think that if Auston shits the bed in the playoffs again, this time with the C on his chest, the honeymoon is gonna be over and he's finally gonna take some heat.

 

[Aashir Mallik]

Lmao why? He’s gonna be there. It’s a league event, if he’s healthy the league will push for him to be there. The league wants all the stars there. It’s a revenue push, if he’s there it’s because of that and who doesn’t want to represent their country when you’re considered one of the best American players?

my take hasn't aged the best, but I still somewhat stand by it

He has been battling injury the entire season and should rest every opportunity he can, this is the feeder tournament into the 2026 olympics which matter more. It's a nothing tournament with no stakes, he should take that time to rest up. The other stars can go as they haven't been this injured.