Player Discussion Auston Matthews (Captain Edition)

[Stephen]

You think Matthews isnt being physical enough ?

At times he’s been a little on the passive side but he has been forechecking well and that run around Barkov to set up a pass was nice. But I think he’s gotta follow Knies into the battle more on the cycle and be closer to the loose puck.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

When have we ever seen the "A" version of Matthews in the playoffs?

Does it exist or is a myth based on a game or two?

Team success is happening in spite of Matthews, not because.

We have to be honest .. he is da 1,000 pound gorilla in da room right now .. he for sure is injured .. he lost all da key defensive draws last night .. his line got tilted virtually every shift he was on da ice .. he could help his line exit our end when Cats forechecked us .. to me da only major disappointment in da game .. Mitch even was better .. Mitch is getting affected by Matty's poor play .. and if he not injured then I would seriously consider trading him for lots of picks and a couple good roster players to free up CAP this summer

 

[Leafsfan74]

I'd like him to be a little heavier on the forecheck but he is leading the team. Berube said so after Game Six. I see it on the ice, he is part of the team and the old adage of individual play has disappeared from this team.

You lose as a team and you win as a team, You play for each other, to not disappoint your teammate. That's a strong bond when you go into the trenches.


I've been saying this for many years that they needed to play as a pack not lone wolves. Matthews is leading this effort and fans must understand that getting 16 wins in the playoffs is ultimately the only stat that matters.

By all means necessary, you have to secure the win. Simple hockey that pays attention to details. Win your 50/50 battles, get to the net, get the shot on goal, team defense and toughness by committee.

 

[sunstersun]

We have to be honest .. he is da 1,000 pound gorilla in da room right now .. he for sure is injured .. he lost all da key defensive draws last night .. his line got tilted virtually every shift he was on da ice .. he could help his line exit our end when Cats forechecked us .. to me da only major disappointment in da game .. Mitch even was better .. Mitch is getting affected by Matty's poor play .. and if he not injured then I would seriously consider trading him for lots of picks and a couple good roster players to free up CAP this summer

No chance, we have 0 centre depth.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

No chance, we have 0 centre depth.

I hope, and expect to her, he is pretty badly injured .. someone very very close to team told me last night he is taking freezing before every period for his back and his hand

 

[sunstersun]

I hope, and expect to her, he is pretty badly injured .. someone very very close to team told me last night he is taking freezing before every period for his back and his hand

Sucks, I hope he can reset in the offseason after we win a Stanley cup.

 

[arso40]

We have to be honest .. he is da 1,000 pound gorilla in da room right now .. he for sure is injured .. he lost all da key defensive draws last night .. his line got tilted virtually every shift he was on da ice .. he could help his line exit our end when Cats forechecked us .. to me da only major disappointment in da game .. Mitch even was better .. Mitch is getting affected by Matty's poor play .. and if he not injured then I would seriously consider trading him for lots of picks and a couple good roster players to free up CAP this summer

That’s one way to look at it another is Mitch needs to stop being one dimensional on offence it would really help the line cause he can score goals too he didn’t fluke 30 all the times he did it

 

[WTFMAN99]

I hope, and expect to her, he is pretty badly injured .. someone very very close to team told me last night he is taking freezing before every period for his back and his hand

Hand is new?

 

[ruaware41]

Matthews looks like he's doing everything in the o zone in slow motion. You couldn't convince me he's not injured.

 

[Mr_Fun]

That’s one way to look at it another is Mitch needs to stop being one dimensional on offence it would really help the line cause he can score goals too he didn’t fluke 30 all the times he did it

Absolutely would like Mitch to shoot more in critical situations. Down low, he's got a fantastic shot.

 

[Maharian]

Matthews seems gassed all the time. It could/possibly is injury related but I think they are playing him too much as well- he was over 23 minutes last game. I get why though as we don't really have another good option for defensive zone faceoffs and to matchup against the top lines. He's not his usual offensive self for sure but he's still a huge contributor for us and the team is playing well and picking up the slack. Go leafs go!

 

[keonsbitterness]

Matthews seems gassed all the time. It could/possibly is injury related but I think they are playing him too much as well- he was over 23 minutes last game. I get why though as we don't really have another good option for defensive zone faceoffs and to matchup against the top lines. He's not his usual offensive self for sure but he's still a huge contributor for us and the team is playing well and picking up the slack. Go leafs go!

He can rest in July.

 

[Dayjobdave]

I hope, and expect to her, he is pretty badly injured .. someone very very close to team told me last night he is taking freezing before every period for his back and his hand

I think this is the deal. When healthy he is not just the best shooter in the league, he’s the best at accepting a pass. Neither of these are working for him, but he is grinding defensively. Keep setting the example Papi.

It would be awesome to be in this spot and have 69 goal Papi roaring. We have Selke Papi right now so the boys have to pick him up a bit.

 

[WTFMAN99]

At times he’s been a little on the passive side but he has been forechecking well and that run around Barkov to set up a pass was nice. But I think he’s gotta follow Knies into the battle more on the cycle and be closer to the loose puck.

I thought this the other day too, I don't think he has the same velocity on his shots but any idiot can get a rebound or have it bounce off their ass.

I don't think he's likely to be around the net in a non-PP situation though, he's playing really high up to be defensively responsible because I think that's what he's able to provide at this time. It's worked out in that he's a pt/game but who knows? I think he has a big game in this series when it counts.

 

[Stephen]

I thought this the other day too, I don't think he has the same velocity on his shots but any idiot can get a rebound or have it bounce off their ass.

I don't think he's likely to be around the net in a non-PP situation though, he's playing really high up to be defensively responsible because I think that's what he's able to provide at this time. It's worked out in that he's a pt/game but who knows? I think he has a big game in this series when it counts.

I think over the next several games we’ll need a vintage Matthews offensive statement to carve out a 3rd win or a close out win. We’re getting some secondary scoring to keep us ahead in the race but we will need AM34 unless we plan on winning 1-0.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I think over the next several games we’ll need a vintage Matthews offensive statement to carve out a 3rd win or a close out win. We’re getting some secondary scoring to keep us ahead in the race but we will need AM34 unless we plan on winning 1-0.

You know who else has been a little quiet? JT. Patches and 88 have been great so it's not as noticeable but I could see both Matthews and JT coming into the series and helping us get our much needed wins.

 

[francis246]

I hope, and expect to her, he is pretty badly injured .. someone very very close to team told me last night he is taking freezing before every period for his back and his hand

If this is true, why didn’t he just have the surgery last off-season and get it over with, so he’s healthy come the playoffs

 

[ULF_55]

No chance, we have 0 centre depth.

You realize he could be traded for another center?

Now, of course he isn't being traded, but $13mm in space can buy you the best free agent center and leave you 3mm+ space to put towards another asset.

 

[sunstersun]

You realize he could be traded for another center?

Now, of course he isn't being traded, but $13mm in space can buy you the best free agent center and leave you 3mm+ space to put towards another asset.

He's also got a NTC, at the lowest value he could ever be.

I've literally filled up this thread with Matthews bashing, but trading him is a step too far.

 

[ULF_55]

He's also got a NTC, at the lowest value he could ever be.

I've literally filled up this thread with Matthews bashing, but trading him is a step too far.

I'm a Leafs team fan first, players are a step below that.

 

[sunstersun]

I'm a Leafs team fan first, players are a step below that.

Sure, I'm arguing for the best move here too.

 

[Stephen]

You know who else has been a little quiet? JT. Patches and 88 have been great so it's not as noticeable but I could see both Matthews and JT coming into the series and helping us get our much needed wins.

Yeah for sure. He was a lot more forceful in the Ottawa series.

 

[Stephen]

He's also got a NTC, at the lowest value he could ever be.

I've literally filled up this thread with Matthews bashing, but trading him is a step too far.

Yeah I don’t think you trade a struggling Matthews under any circumstances as tempting as it is and how much we froth for big changes when things aren’t going well. The business case wouldn’t be there.

 

[dangomon]

He's scoring tonight.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]