I completely agree, having Bertuzzi, Knies and McMann down the left side would have set us up for the foreseeable future on LW. Bertuzzi apparently wanted to stay in Toronto as well, he signed for 5.5 in Chicago so I’m sure he would have accepted something between 4.75-5 with term in Toronto to play alongside Matthews.
Player Discussion Auston Matthews (Captain Edition)
- Thread starter Aashir
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TMLBlueandWhite
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- Feb 2, 2023
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Matthews is almost "I'm gonna break your legs for money" big.
But plays like he's the smallest, weakest, softest player in the league. This is the most insulated team I've ever seen. Bleached, disinfected, sanitized.
They're antiseptic... sterile.
I find the core to be particularly dis-likeable. They're machine washed, flat ironed, and starched hockey players. There's nothing humanizing about them.
Emotionless robots like in Strange Brew.
They can't be bothered to stick up for themselves or their teammates. How can they ever expect to have a tight knit team willing to go to war with each other if the Captain and his assistants aren't leading the charge. That's why I've lost a lot of faith in this team.
If the Captain can't be bothered to go all out we shouldn't be surprised when the rest of the team sleepwalks the playoffs too.
But plays like he's the smallest, weakest, softest player in the league. This is the most insulated team I've ever seen. Bleached, disinfected, sanitized.
They're antiseptic... sterile.
I find the core to be particularly dis-likeable. They're machine washed, flat ironed, and starched hockey players. There's nothing humanizing about them.
Emotionless robots like in Strange Brew.
They can't be bothered to stick up for themselves or their teammates. How can they ever expect to have a tight knit team willing to go to war with each other if the Captain and his assistants aren't leading the charge. That's why I've lost a lot of faith in this team.
If the Captain can't be bothered to go all out we shouldn't be surprised when the rest of the team sleepwalks the playoffs too.
Matty is playing a more 2 way game this playoffs .. his personality has always been same since he was a kid .. he is not an out front vocal guy .. he is still helping team .. like I told you guys don't expect these core guys to be superstars in playoffs .. we will win or lose with our G and D .. those 4 guys are supplemental pieces come playoff time
Larcos_Unal
Excuses are for losers
Suntouchable13
Registered User
He picked Joe Thornton as his "mentor", enough said.
Then they shouldn’t take 50% of the salary cap. It will never work as long as that’s the case.
Stephen
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He’s too young, too big, too skilled to be in “helping the team mode”. Yes, the defensive transformation is great. But he’s got to look like the senior partner in the Matthews-Knies duo and not look like the third best guy on that line. Not that high a bar. Come to work, finish Ottawa off.
If Matthews doesnt get surgery right after the season is over, than his ambition in the playoffs becomes a massive issue. I dont understand his lack of urgency, he dusts the puck off on the PP then sauce passes it back to the point, really casual and no interest or urgency to break the D down/score on the PP. He also puts alot of pressure on Marner to spoon feed him chances. Overall I see arrogance being an issue. Wearing the C, earning 13.25 million his compete is a negative vibe when his team-mates are observing him from the bench. Thru 4 games, he looks like a soft, big 3C who is not dangerous at all offensively.
Stephen
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Yeah when it comes to the powerplay he’s gotta shoot his shot. Maybe it’s 80% or whatever but getting it on net with net front presence is what more preferable to deferring to Morgan to make the incorrect puck distribution.
I don't want to hear anything about Matthews and Marner being bad in elimination games anymore.
The ultimate soft elimination game and just a disaster.
The ultimate soft elimination game and just a disaster.
Larcos_Unal
Excuses are for losers
The Shadow
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- Feb 9, 2013
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When he came into the league with 4 goals in his first game and then multiple rockets and dominant seasons it was almost a given that he’d be able to do the same in the playoffs.
But he hasn’t shown that ability to put a team in his back and will them to playoff success like the greats have.
Even now Draisaitl elevated his game in the playoffs to a level matthews can only dream of. Imagine if Matthews could do what he does. The leafs would have at minimum a cup final appearance and many more playoff wins.
If Marner walks who will be feeding him pucks?
But he hasn’t shown that ability to put a team in his back and will them to playoff success like the greats have.
Even now Draisaitl elevated his game in the playoffs to a level matthews can only dream of. Imagine if Matthews could do what he does. The leafs would have at minimum a cup final appearance and many more playoff wins.
If Marner walks who will be feeding him pucks?
Stephen
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Man’s gotta use his size to deliver some big devastating hits on Pinto.
Terrifying choice that is, speaks volumes. 100% one of the worst moves mgnt made was bringing he and Marleau in, perennial career losers who were both stripped of the C.
fahad203
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Mentors dont' play games for you, you do.
First of all, lets not speak down to Joe Thornton or Marleau for lack of Matthews playoff success. Last I checked those 2 went to Stanly Cup finals. Both of those lads also have gold medals for Canada and world championships and a WJC championship. Except for a Stanley Cup they both have won it all
We also had Babcock who was one of the most celebrated coach in Canadian team history. That didn't shape up Matthews either.
kevsh
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- Nov 28, 2018
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I don't know this as a fact but I believe Marleau, as a mature, stable family man, was brought in as kind of a babysitter for Matthews early on.
The theory is that he team had some concern over Auston's lifestyle (and as we found out later via the incident in Arizona that would've been justified) and/or just wanted to keep the future of the franchise on the right path so he doesn't stray.
Something like how Crosby moved in with Mario's family when he was drafted by Pittsburgh. It was sold as just "learning from a legend up close" but more likely it was to protect their golden goose from others and himself.
In any case, I think the issue with Matthew's perceived lack of compete probably goes much farther back. Some kids are raised in "safe" environments, never really facing true adversity while others the opposite. Matthews may just be the result of a cushy life where things came pretty easily.
Now, he's facing teams whose primary game plan is to make his life on ice as difficult as possible and he's simply not able (or willing) to fight through that. And the bad news is, if he hasn't figured it out by now I'm not confident he ever will.
The theory is that he team had some concern over Auston's lifestyle (and as we found out later via the incident in Arizona that would've been justified) and/or just wanted to keep the future of the franchise on the right path so he doesn't stray.
Something like how Crosby moved in with Mario's family when he was drafted by Pittsburgh. It was sold as just "learning from a legend up close" but more likely it was to protect their golden goose from others and himself.
In any case, I think the issue with Matthew's perceived lack of compete probably goes much farther back. Some kids are raised in "safe" environments, never really facing true adversity while others the opposite. Matthews may just be the result of a cushy life where things came pretty easily.
Now, he's facing teams whose primary game plan is to make his life on ice as difficult as possible and he's simply not able (or willing) to fight through that. And the bad news is, if he hasn't figured it out by now I'm not confident he ever will.
This is a rational post.
ACC1224
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- Aug 19, 2002
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Draisaitl sucks defensively, I hate how much love this guy gets when for the longest time, his team was playing even hockey with him on the ice.
If he scores a lot but gets scored on a lot, it doesn't matter.
There is more to the game of hockey than just scoring goals, I'd think people would realize this by now.
He is also playing most of his time with McDavid, he is being propped up.
The Shadow
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That’s fine if you want to be a defensive Center man. But then don’t ask to be the highest paid player in the world. They need players that can put the puck in the net. And I’m not sure if you’re new to watching the leafs in the playoffs but that’s exactly what their issue has been. They can’t put up goals and their power play has been terrible in previous years
I don't have the numbers so I could be wrong, but something tells me Leon creates more than he gives it. Matthews doesn't give up much, but doesn't get anything either. I think Leon comes out ahead playoff wise.
The McDavid factor is legit though, Guy is an animal. However, Matthews is supposed to be a top 3 centre in the league. He's supposed to be our water down McDavid at home. I don't know if you can say he is come playoff time.
This is not very factual.
His GAR has been pretty good this year and lasts.
He was awful for his first 7 years but has really improved.
He is no Selke candidate but he is above average over the past two years.
It was only the last 2 years I believe where he created more than he gave away.
He used to be a 50/50 player, right now at 5v5 he has helped his team by being on for 2 more goals than his team has given up.
Being on for 4 goals and 0 against at 5v5 while putting up good PP numbers is great.
It is why I said "for the longest time" and "was".
He is a very overrated player and feasts on the PP, but his team barely is winning with him on the ice at 5v5.
I guess it is better to say, he is not great defensively and is overrated offensively at 5v5.
The Shadow
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Also Matthews was plus 11 this season compared to Drai’s plus 32. So considering power plays don’t effect +/- it proves your point is not correct
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