Player Discussion Auston Matthews (Captain Edition)

[Tak7]

I agree. But overall body of work suggests to me that he can get things done.

He's still a central part of 1-13, and a powerplay that doesn't work in series clinching games.

Shouldn't be overlooking that body of work.

 

[ToneDog]

We know Matthews and Marner don't have it. I believe Nylander does have it though.

For years we spend all resources around Matthews and Marner. Nylander always got the remaining spare parts.

This should change now.

16 and 34 do not set the bar high. Nylander pretty much pulling the shoot on the Cozens SH back breaking goal shows you what he is made of. If he was gassed, then he should not have been on the PP for the amount of time he was. None of them should have been. After 8 playoffs these clowns still do not get it, no urgency, and and no stepping up. All 3 clowns have 1 lousy goal in 5 games vs the 7th seed. That is a 16 goal pace. All 3 are f***ing losers and they prove it year in and year out.

 

[ToneDog]

The heat is starting to turn up on Captain America. Well deserved.

 

[Jojalu]

The heat is starting to turn up on Captain America. Well deserved.

My issue with all of them is this.

I wouldn't say they are not engaged, because they are. But, they engage in a reactionary way instead of dictacting the game. Especially Matthews. He could impose his will and be a physical force, but he seems content to play the game however the opposing line wants to play.

Nylander can and sometimes can use his speed to control a situation, but he can't skate for whatever reason.

We all saw you break your stick Matty. Saw you slam on the ice and say "We'll be back"

Unless you meant for game 7, get your head out of your ass and put this team on your back and drag them into Round 2 where you had better be prepared for a bigger fight

 

[A1LeafNation]

He's still a central part of 1-13, and a powerplay that doesn't work in series clinching games.

Shouldn't be overlooking that body of work.

I agree but we have time with Willy as he is signed.

Knies is now establishing himself this year. Let's give it a year without Marner and see how it goes.

Nylander Knies Matthews
_______ OEL

 

[Tak7]

I agree but we have time with Willy as he is signed.

Knies is now establishing himself this year. Let's give it a year without Marner and see how it goes.

Nylander Knies Matthews
_______ OEL

They aren't good enough to win a cup.

 

[fahad203]

My issue with all of them is this.

I wouldn't say they are not engaged, because they are. But, they engage in a reactionary way instead of dictacting the game. Especially Matthews. He could impose his will and be a physical force, but he seems content to play the game however the opposing line wants to play.

Nylander can and sometimes can use his speed to control a situation, but he can't skate for whatever reason.

We all saw you break your stick Matty. Saw you slam on the ice and say "We'll be back"

Unless you meant for game 7, get your head out of your ass and put this team on your back and drag them into Round 2 where you had better be prepared for a bigger fight

A great take on how the leafs core play. Just reactive, waiting for something to happen. Maybe a powerplay, maybe a mistake from the other team. But never creating their own opportunities or deciding the outcome of the game

You never get a sense of control or conviction. Even if you do, it's maybe one game. Never a consistent playoff series.

Everyone talks about Nylander being a playoff warrior, he was last year. For 3 games.
Matthews also has that 1 good game. Then he dissapears

McDavid/Drai doesn't dissapear. He dictates the game and series. Entire LA has changed their game to match theirs.

Crosby/Malkin never had 2 bad games in a row in playoffs it feels like.

With these group, it's hard to get consistent few games where they are dominating or playing up to their capability

 

[fahad203]

The heat is starting to turn up on Captain America. Well deserved.

Patty Kane is Captain America and will always be in my opinion.
As of right now Auston couldn't hold a candle near that guy.

Kane being 5'10, his prime playoff numbers are bonkers

Unfortunately for Chicago, year in year out they lost key players due to salary cap. Yet they were competitive, yet Patty Kane produced

 

[ToneDog]

Patty Kane is Captain America and will always be in my opinion.
As of right now Auston couldn't hold a candle near that guy.

Kane being 5'10, his prime playoff numbers are bonkers

Unfortunately for Chicago, year in year out they lost key players due to salary cap. Yet they were competitive, yet Patty Kane produced

I was surprised Guentzel was #3 highest American for playoff goals. Kane is #1.

Matty

 

[Tak7]

My issue with all of them is this.

I wouldn't say they are not engaged, because they are. But, they engage in a reactionary way instead of dictacting the game. Especially Matthews. He could impose his will and be a physical force, but he seems content to play the game however the opposing line wants to play.

Nylander can and sometimes can use his speed to control a situation, but he can't skate for whatever reason.

We all saw you break your stick Matty. Saw you slam on the ice and say "We'll be back"

Unless you meant for game 7, get your head out of your ass and put this team on your back and drag them into Round 2 where you had better be prepared for a bigger fight

He's never had it in him. He's just not built this way, which is why giving him the 'C' was insane.

Now add the fact that he's clearly not 100% healthy, and hasn't looked "right" all year?

It's not even reasonable to expect him to put them on his back. He's not capable of it.

 

[ToneDog]

A great take on how the leafs core play. Just reactive, waiting for something to happen. Maybe a powerplay, maybe a mistake from the other team. But never creating their own opportunities or deciding the outcome of the game

You never get a sense of control or conviction. Even if you do, it's maybe one game. Never a consistent playoff series.

Everyone talks about Nylander being a playoff warrior, he was last year. For 3 games.
Matthews also has that 1 good game. Then he dissapears

McDavid/Drai doesn't dissapear. He dictates the game and series. Entire LA has changed their game to match theirs.

Crosby/Malkin never had 2 bad games in a row in playoffs it feels like.

With these group, it's hard to get consistent few games where they are dominating or playing up to their capability

They just do not care enough, willing to do what it takes or scared shitless. But hey, choke on your money.

 

[fahad203]

I was surprised Guentzel was #3 highest American for playoff goals. Kane is #1.

View attachment 1027167

Matty

View attachment 1027165

Nothing to take away from Guentz. Great player in his own right
But he was also being mouth fed by Crosby, which helps

But none the less, a great player. Reminds me a lot of Pavelski, just competes hard, plays the game the old way

Speaking of players when in their prime was great, when under 35. Pavelski

 

[ToneDog]

He's never had it in him. He's just not built this way, which is why giving him the 'C' was insane.

Now add the fact that he's clearly not 100% healthy, and hasn't looked "right" all year?

It's not even reasonable to expect him to put them on his back. He's not capable of it.

And nobody else on the team is capable of stepping up but they all want to be paid top dollar. The Leafs may want to put their statues on legends row on hold.

 

[Jojalu]

He's never had it in him. He's just not built this way, which is why giving him the 'C' was insane.

Now add the fact that he's clearly not 100% healthy, and hasn't looked "right" all year?

It's not even reasonable to expect him to put them on his back. He's not capable of it.

Dare to dream my friend. Dare to dream!

 

[Metroid]

I think of 34 as Pittsburgh's Kessel. In the right environment.. you could get alot out of him.

Problem is he's a 1C , his pay will always be of a 1C, what team can afford him as a 2 or 3 C to be their "Kessel" ? (Assuming that's what you mean)

 

[Tak7]

Dare to dream my friend. Dare to dream!

The time to dream was multiple years ago.

It ended in 2021.

They are what they are - failure to acknowledge and accept that, is just foolishness at this point.

 

[weems]

Matthew Knies last two playoffs

5 goals in 12 games played

Auston Matthews last two playoffs

2 goals in 10 games played

 

[Jojalu]

The time to dream was multiple years ago.

It ended in 2021.

They are what they are - failure to acknowledge and accept that, is just foolishness at this point.

Living in denial can be wonderful! Or it's insanity.

 

[TMLAM34]

It would take a haul to acquire Matthews, I’d be open to it though if we don’t make it to the conference finals or put up a VERY good fight in round two (if we make it that far). I keep saying Dallas would be a perfect trading partner and a destination I could definitely see Matthews waiving his clause if he were approached to waive.

 

[A1LeafNation]

Problem is he's a 1C , his pay will always be of a 1C, what team can afford him as a 2 or 3 C to be their "Kessel" ? (Assuming that's what you mean)

Leafs. Get rid of Marner and Tavares cap hits...which will happen this summer.

 

[Stephen]

Versteeg was hard on the coaching and core on yesterday's Bunkis podcast. Worth a listen. No way they beat Florida playing the way they have been playing for half a decade in the playoffs.

I haven’t listened to the Bunkis chat with Versteeg but I can guess the subtext is going to be bad culture, bad approach, bad details.

These Matthews problems have always been there. On the subject of Florida it was Matthews and Marner and Nylander who coughed up that lead they had in Game 2 at home that would have tied the series.

 

[Stephen]

I think of 34 as Pittsburgh's Kessel. In the right environment.. you could get alot out of him.

Nobody pays Phil Kessel the biggest salary in the league.

 

[DarkKnight]

Recall Game 2 against Boston last year. That was the one time this guy came out like a force and dominated with unreal determination. That's the guy we need tonight, not the usual wait around for something to happen underachieving Matthews. Make it happen!

 

[ACC1224]

It would take a haul to acquire Matthews, I’d be open to it though if we don’t make it to the conference finals or put up a VERY good fight in round two (if we make it that far). I keep saying Dallas would be a perfect trading partner and a destination I could definitely see Matthews waiving his clause if he were approached to waive.

They aren't going to move the Captain one year after taking it away the C away from Tavares.

 

[MSZ]

Recall Game 2 against Boston last year. That was the one time this guy came out like a force and dominated with unreal determination. That's the guy we need tonight, not the usual wait around for something to happen underachieving Matthews. Make it happen!

That's the thing with Matthews. We all knew he has that extra gear, but guys like McJesus and Nathan Mac switch up to that gear in the playoffs nightly. Matthews only does that once in every two years or so.