Player Discussion Auston Matthews (Captain Edition)

[saffronleaf]

I expect that he'll have back / shoulder surgery in the offseason.

Should also consider a lobotomy to address the mental fortitude issues.

 

[TopCheeseShotta]

He definitely shies from the big moments. We need to turn it up on this guy so he realizes we can see it. We can see his avoidance, his cowering, his... nerves. I think that's what's physically wrong with him too. Something they can't do anything about with surgery. It's a soft tissue thing. Immune system or nervous system issue, likely coupled with a neurological complex. He shies away from contact, from conflict.. and it seems like his body is taking the fight right out of him. It can't be that he doesn't care, it just seems like he can't... like... cope, or something..?

I dunno.. it's sad.. but he's our guy - and I'd really love if he would cross the threshold, realize it won't kill him - and go and TAKE it.

 

[Stephen]

Side by side on the same line Knies looks so much more assertive and alive than Matthews.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Should also consider a lobotomy to address the mental fortitude issues.

I think he really needs a heart transplant

 

[Moonman]

He just doesn't like playing when it gets rough and gritty. No pay probably doesn't help.

 

[Dave92]

Continues to be nothing but a loser and an embarrassment to playoff hockey. Imagine thinking young guys like Knies would look at this purse wearing, combover having, cuck as a leader, it's laughable.

 

[centipede2233]

If things go south, it would be best to let marner and then Matthews walk. Whoever pays matthews next inflated contract will never win a cup during the duration of that contract. Him being paid 4 million more than kucherov is a crime.

 

[Aashir]

That OT was disgusting, he didn’t look like he wanted to be on the ice

Get it together for game 5

 

[mapleleaf979]

4 nations cup and every playoff series Ive seen Matthews in, he is content to be in the shadows, not impose his will at all. Knies showed leadership on that game tieing goal. Matthews has 1 goal in 4 games, that goal was gift wrapped from Marner. Matthews never looks dangerous, I havent seen him take a confident wrist shot in a long time. His compete level is pathetic. The notion of him being a defensive stud is not what he is paid to do.

 

[Divine]

4 nations cup and every playoff series Ive seen Matthews in, he is content to be in the shadows, not impose his will at all. Knies showed leadership on that game tieing goal. Matthews has 1 goal in 4 games, that goal was gift wrapped from Marner. Matthews never looks dangerous, I havent seen him take a confident wrist shot in a long time. His compete level is pathetic. The notion of him being a defensive stud is not what he is paid to do.

Matthews isn’t healthy. He can’t shoot. His shot is 20KM slower than it was last season.

There’s a reason he’s only setting up for one timers these days, his wrist isn’t healed and will likely need surgery at the end of the season. He just can’t go out and say I can’t shoot during the playoffs, let other teams think he can.

 

[Dave92]

Matthews isn’t healthy. He can’t shoot. His shot is 20KM slower than it was last season.

There’s a reason he’s only setting up for one timers these days, his wrist isn’t healed and will likely need surgery at the end of the season. He just can’t go out and say I can’t shoot during the playoffs, let other teams think he can.

Twice he's scored 60 goals and followed it up with 1 goal in a first round 7 game loss. There is nothing at all out of the ordinary with his play so far.

 

[Divine]

Twice he's scored 60 goals and followed it up with 1 goal in a first round 7 game loss. There is nothing at all out of the ordinary with his play so far.

There is when his shot speed is 20Km slower.

Is he purposely shooting the puck slower?

 

[Dave92]

There is when his shot speed is 20Km slower.

Is he purposely shooting the puck slower?

So if he was healthy he'd be missing more shots? his results are exactly the same so why does it matter.

 

[Divine]

So if he was healthy he'd be missing more shots? his results are exactly the same so why does it matter.

I think it’s unfair to say that. The best version of Matthews got injured in the playoffs last season.

Matthews gets punished for his early success. Many would be happier if he didn’t make the playoffs until now rather than him struggling as a teenager and it being used against him.

 

[hfman]

Continues to be nothing but a loser and an embarrassment to playoff hockey. Imagine thinking young guys like Knies would look at this purse wearing, combover having, cuck as a leader, it's laughable.

these are all disrespectful comments but if we want to look at the facts, then some of this is 100% true. Some of his off-ice stunts, television commercial appearances and many of his disinterested pre-and post-game interviews are totally questionable when trying to look at this guy as the captain of an original 6 team.

I mean if the guy doesn't want to do interviews that's totally ok, you can't make a person into something they're not. Who knows what people are going through. He's just another human on this planet like the rest of us. Maybe he has troubles. Which we all do. He definitely looks like the type who might for whatever reason. Or it could all be bunk, who knows.

But this guy isn't captain material just like Tavares wasn't either.

Truth is Leafs don't have a real captain.

Is that why they can't close out these series? Is that why they're in danger of blowing this series as well?

4 nations cup and every playoff series Ive seen Matthews in, he is content to be in the shadows, not impose his will at all. Knies showed leadership on that game tieing goal. Matthews has 1 goal in 4 games, that goal was gift wrapped from Marner. Matthews never looks dangerous, I havent seen him take a confident wrist shot in a long time. His compete level is pathetic. The notion of him being a defensive stud is not what he is paid to do.

Am I the first guy to suggest that Knies is the perfect candidate for next Captain of the Leafs? Looks like this guy has it all. They need to lock him up and then consider him for the "C".

Maybe not right away but I can definitely see him taking on the role in the near future, he's that good

 

[hfman]

these are all disrespectful comments but if we want to look at the facts, then some of this is 100% true. Some of his off-ice stunts, television commercial appearances and many of his disinterested pre-and post-game interviews are totally questionable when trying to look at this guy as the captain of an original 6 team.

I mean if the guy doesn't want to do interviews that's totally ok, you can't make a person into something they're not. Who knows what people are going through. He's just another human on this planet like the rest of us. Maybe he has troubles. Which we all do. He definitely looks like the type who might for whatever reason. Or it could all be bunk, who knows.

But this guy isn't captain material just like Tavares wasn't either.

Truth is Leafs don't have a real captain.

Is that why they can't close out these series? Is that why they're in danger of blowing this series as well?

Am I the first guy to suggest that Knies is the perfect candidate for next Captain of the Leafs? Looks like this guy has it all. They need to lock him up and then consider him for the "C".

Maybe not right away but I can definitely see him taking on the role in the near future, he's that good

I'd actually give the "C" to Knies over Matthews without a second thought

 

[Dave92]

No he gets punished for literally no success in the playoffs. It's not hyperbole to say that this group, led by him are among the worst playoff performers in the history of professional sports. Nobody loses 7 first rounds in a row.

 

[hfman]

No he gets punished for literally no success in the playoffs. It's not hyperbole to say that this group, led by him are among the worst playoff performers in the history of professional sports. Nobody loses 7 first rounds in a row.

He's not a captain. Face it. Look at him in post-game interviews. He's like a snotty 'get me out of here'.

Why are they giving him the C in the first place? He isn't a captain. period. Just like Tavares wasn't.

and here's the problem: the team doesn't have one. Who can fill that role??

As a few posts above, I suggested Knies. Maybe not right away, but in the future maybe?? The guy has more heart and soul than Matthews could ever hope to have.

 

[KAWAIlllI]

Side by side on the same line Knies looks so much more assertive and alive than Matthews.

True, Knies is the heart and soul, and drive, on that top line. Should be more of a priority to get him on a great contract than others on that team!

 

[GlitchMarner]

I agree that he can't shoot normally, but there are ways to score in the NHL other than by taking great shots. He did score 30+ again this year.

He's a guy who plays a technically sound game but doesn't assert himself like a MacKinnon or McDavid. There always seems to be a reason his goal scoring doesn't translate in the playoffs. He's not a dangler or a guy who drives hard to the net. His offense is centered on his goal scoring, and I want to see him get on the board in the next game.

 

[TopCheeseShotta]

We just need an opposing coach to come out of a series, like they do with the other high paid and high performing stars, and say:

We just didn't have an answer for 34.

Unless he comes out of nowhere for the first time ever, it won't be this series either. These guys play it too cool. He's gotta start being willing to get in the fight.

 

[TMLAM34]

I loved watching Matthews play with Bertuzzi and Domi last season. He was a lot more physically engaged and dominated. Whenever Matthews plays with Marner, as fantastic as they are, they both play way too fancy, shy away from the physicality and look for the perfect play.

Sucks because if we traded Kampf and Jarnkrok and never signed Hakanpaa, that would have given us enough money to re-sign Bertuzzi and just use Myers like we did.

If Marner leaves, I wonder if going for Bennett would be a good play to play alongside Matthews. Knies - Matthews - Bennett, not sure how that would be as they’re all lefties and there’s no pure playmaker but Knies and Bennett on the wing together would be a bitch to play against.

 

[TheShape]

Side by side on the same line Knies looks so much more assertive and alive than Matthews.

I agree, I pray Knies doesn't lose that jump once we inevitably pay him this off season. Knies has looked like the true alpha on that line all year.

 

[TMLAM34]

I agree, I pray Knies doesn't lose that jump once we inevitably pay him this off season. Knies has looked like the true alpha on that line all year.

Another reason why I want someone other than Marner playing alongside Knies and Matthews. Eventually, especially if you’re locked into a long term contact at a high price, when you see your two line mates shying away from the physical play and never actually standing up for you, you’ll definitely change the way you play. And it’s not something you can really fault a player for.

 

[TheShape]

I loved watching Matthews play with Bertuzzi and Domi last season. He was a lot more physically engaged and dominated. Whenever Matthews plays with Marner, as fantastic as they are, they both play way too fancy, shy away from the physicality and look for the perfect play.

Sucks because if we traded Kampf and Jarnkrok and never signed Hakanpaa, that would have given us enough money to re-sign Bertuzzi and just use Myers like we did.

If Marner leaves, I wonder if going for Bennett would be a good play to play alongside Matthews. Knies - Matthews - Bennett, not sure how that would be as they’re all lefties and there’s no pure playmaker but Knies and Bennett on the wing together would be a bitch to play against.

I will die on this hill, we should've did whatever possible to retain Bertuzzi. Matthews is a chameleon, it is what it is. He played bigger and his best hockey as a Leaf flanked by Domi/Bertuzzi. Solves our 2LW hole as Knies would've deputized there, gave us a legit top 9 to play around with. The money was there to make it work.