Player Discussion Auston Matthews (Captain Edition)

[Skullz]

I said this at the time and I stand by it now. If Matthews participates in 4 Nations, and he shouldn’t, then there is no hiding behind any injury excuse. Battling injuries all year, jets off to Germany for treatment, and literally has to be load manager at the tournament.

Now he’s clearly out of it. What a nightmare season from him. Next year had to be different.

 

[seventieslord]

His 1.45 xGA/60 and 56% faceoff wins in 1997–98 locked down opponents, like Eric Lindros in the Finals.

That was 1996-97, and those stats didn't exist in those seasons.

 

[Stephen]

That was 1996-97, and those stats didn't exist in those seasons.

The mere sound of Lindros’ footsteps would have shut Matthews down for the series.

 

[Gabriel426]

Finding number 1 center to replace Matthews is easier said than done. It could take Toronto 15 years to land another elite top-line center. In the last 15 years, John Tavares stands out as the best center to hit free agency. After him, you’re looking at players like Nazem Kadri or Elias Lindholm—good, but not game-changers. More like #2 c's. Elite centers rarely hit the market; they’re locked up long term. You have to draft them. For the Leafs, it’s Auston Matthews or bust—without him, it’s a full rebuild. There’s no other path imo.

True and agree. But the player you are talking about is AM when he is HEALTHY.

He is not even close to the player you are referring this season and esp now.

Is his injuries on going and nagging or something that can be fixed with time and rest?

 

[centipede2233]

Here is Austin Matthew’s priorities:

1) A.Matthews
2) Team USA



3j Toronto Maple leafs

Only one of these items makes Matthew’s rich.

 

[Puckstuff]

True and agree. But the player you are talking about is AM when he is HEALTHY.

He is not even close to the player you are referring this season and esp now.

Is his injuries on going and nagging or something that can be fixed with time and rest?

Yeah but even this version of AM that we all agree isn’t worth 13 million is still point per game and worth 10 ish million. I don’t know how we could even get that in trade or free agency.

 

[Gabriel426]

Yeah but even this version of AM that we all agree isn’t worth 13 million is still point per game and worth 10 ish million. I don’t know how we could even get that in trade or free agency.

And in playoffs he often get outplayed or neutralized by 2C or even 3C.

 

[mikeyz]

Yeah, At first, I was pissed that he only signed his most recent contract for only 4 years and not 6-8. But, that is very rapidly turning from pissed off to relief.

Because It’s becoming more and more clear with each passing game that either he doesn’t have that “IT” factor and dog in him to elevate his game and get it done in the playoffs when the going gets tough and the game gets physical and nasty??? Or he’s simply made of glass and very injury prone.

He is arguably a little bit of both right now.

 

[Tak7]

The organization should have a much better understanding of his injury situation. You’d think they have a plan that he’ll get patched up in the summer and they can move forward comfortably with him as the franchise cornerstone.

But there’s a lot of suspect playoff track record to think this guy is just not wired right to compete in high pressure moments, where he’s never going to get close to his max capabilities because he plays scared. You can’t change that.

Also, with the Olympics on the horizon you have to have an understanding of how much this guy is even committed to the Toronto Maple Leafs or if he prioritizes extracurricular activities with Team USA. If he’s giving his best to those tournaments and a shell of himself in a championship pursuit, I dunno man.

End of the day, we can’t replace what he was. But he also isn’t that player right now.

To add to this: there was absolutely no way he should have been at the Four Nations.

I have no issues with the organization giving their players everything and more as a matter of principle, but at some point, the players have to give back. He's due to give something back.

He just doesn't look like a guy capable of consistently producing at this time of year. When things get physical and nasty, he shrinks.

 

[alliuk12]

come next season he should not be here

 

[centipede2233]

come next season he should not be here

True, hopefully shanahan won’t be here either, but it likely doesn’t matter since MLSE will just hire another crappy president

 

[mjd1001]

Finding number 1 center to replace Matthews is easier said than done. It could take Toronto 15 years to land another elite top-line center. In the last 15 years, John Tavares stands out as the best center to hit free agency. After him, you’re looking at players like Nazem Kadri or Elias Lindholm—good, but not game-changers. More like #2 c's. Elite centers rarely hit the market; they’re locked up long term. You have to draft them. For the Leafs, it’s Auston Matthews or bust—without him, it’s a full rebuild. There’s no other path imo.

I agree with almost everything you said. But suppose Matthews going forward IS what he was this year? A barely 30 goal guy (with good defensive metrics) who is invisible in some playoff games and scores at a 20 goal rate through the playoffs?

Those things may not be true (or they may) but a lot of the comments are based on how he is playing now, which is the above. IF that was true, you really don't have a #1 center, you have more of a super overpriced #2 center who can masquerade as a #1 centre just in the regular season.

 

[Puckstuff]

I agree with almost everything you said. But suppose Matthews going forward IS what he was this year? A barely 30 goal guy (with good defensive metrics) who is invisible in some playoff games and scores at a 20 goal rate through the playoffs?

Those things may not be true (or they may) but a lot of the comments are based on how he is playing now, which is the above. IF that was true, you really don't have a #1 center, you have more of a super overpriced #2 center who can masquerade as a #1 centre just in the regular season.

I mean, I don't really want to defend him. He's obviously not good enough at his cap hit. I'm just saying you keep him and accept he's a 9-10 million dollar 1C making 13+ and is still a top 10-15 center that's a little bit over paid and just accept that's what it is over just giving him away. I'd gladly trade him for a Robert Thomas type 1C but I don't think that deal is available. And anything below that's not worth it.

 

[Stringer Bell]

He doesn’t need his shot to score a tip in, a rebound, a backhand, garbage goal, convert on an empty net two on one pass. Tavares, Domi, others have scored on just those.

At least with the captaincy the media will finally not let him get away with this playoff performance.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I mean, I don't really want to defend him. He's obviously not good enough at his cap hit. I'm just saying you keep him and accept he's a 9-10 million dollar 1C making 13+ and is still a top 10-15 center that's a little bit over paid and just accept that's what it is over just giving him away. I'd gladly trade him for a Robert Thomas type 1C but I don't think that deal is available. And anything below that's not worth it.

Yeah at this point you are probably committed to seeing his current deal to it's end at the very least. The fact he decided not to go max term might turn out to be a blessing though.

 

[ashs]

They better LTIR next year.

 

[Nineteen67]

Here is Austin Matthew’s priorities:

1) A.Matthews
2) Team USA



3j Toronto Maple leafs

Only one of these items makes Matthew’s rich.

Team USA is his team, no doubt about that.

 

[Jojalu]

Well honestly Matthews is one of my favourite players from this era but I feel extreme frustration at the way the 2024 playoffs ended and this year has just been crap. The lowered expectations really grinds my gears because I expect more.

Does anything change if the Leafs were more forthcoming with just what is going on with him?

They sat him out of the morning skate, there is talk of him getting a shot before every game. Something is obviously wrong, but all we as fans have is speculation.

If it turns out that he has a pretty serious injury and is trying to tough it out does it change anyone's mind about him?

 

[Suntouchable13]

Does anything change if the Leafs were more forthcoming with just what is going on with him?

They sat him out of the morning skate, there is talk of him getting a shot before every game. Something is obviously wrong, but all we as fans have is speculation.

If it turns out that he has a pretty serious injury and is trying to tough it out does it change anyone's mind about him?

No, because why was he toughing it out during the regular season and the 4 Nations?

 

[thewave]

He was INVISIBLE tonight. Shame.

He is being made invisible because of Marner. They are the two and a half men line. Marner was screwing up everything and was visibly rattled. Berube does nothing because he is not the brightest coach. He is a good coach don't get me wrong but sometimes you need to juggle the lines ffs

 

[Raging Bull]

I mean even with his injury he was all over the ice at the 4 Nations. Just hasnt brought it these playoffs.

 

[thewave]

I mean even with his injury he was all over the ice at the 4 Nations. Just hasnt brought it these playoffs.

He has been all over the ice. Even Bieska was talking about it. Covering for the non playoff player Mitch Marner is hard

 

[Jojalu]

No, because why was he toughing it out during the regular season and the 4 Nations?

Thats just it.

Without knowing what is going on, it's hard to figure out.

I remember hearing that surgery wouldn't fix it short term.

Does that mean he has surgery in the offseason and misses most of next year?

Everyone knows what happened to Tkachuk. He gets very little criticism because we know he is playing through it. Without know ing the extent of the injury, or why the Leafs allowed him to play all year, it just fuels the fire

 

[ACC1224]

Terrible showing. Looks like the Teflon is starting to wear off.

 

[Stephen]

Does anything change if the Leafs were more forthcoming with just what is going on with him?

They sat him out of the morning skate, there is talk of him getting a shot before every game. Something is obviously wrong, but all we as fans have is speculation.

If it turns out that he has a pretty serious injury and is trying to tough it out does it change anyone's mind about him?

From the outside Matthews has been injured since the Boston series last year and right through camp in September while leaking he could play through without further damage. Yeah right.

So it’s just a question of how he’s failed to prepare for this season and not prioritized the Leaf playoff run. Remember he suffered a 4 Nations injury too and was load managed there too.