Player Discussion Auston Matthews (Captain Edition)

[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.

 

[janesy12]

Not really a Captain that leads the way eh? Comparing this guy to McDavid and MacKinnon is laughable.

 

[Apex Predator]

I wonder with whatever Matthews is dealing with if the Leafs had their opinion on how to fix it. Matthews didn’t like it, got a second opinion. You would think the leafs have a good understanding on what is wrong with him. I can’t imagine it’s something from last playoffs that they haven’t advised him on what he needs to do.

 

[Jojalu]

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.

I believe Matthews has to share some of the blame, but the Leafs organization can't allow Matthews to dictate what is happening.

Make the call to shut him down if he is this badly injured.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Matthews doesnt have back issues, he would not be able to skate or take any type of contact. He dove on his stomach fully stretched out, last night on the PK to get a puck out of the zone. No one with back issues does this.

Have you ever had a shot of hydromorphine before a game? It is amazing how you don't feel any pain in your back for a few hours. Eventually da shot becomes less and less effective. So they switch up the pain killers. My guess is this is some kinda inflammation issue where da medical people don't think it is structural. I have taken steriods and taken rest and inflammation ceases. Matty is playing every 2nd day so rest is not in da cards. Also I think with 3 days rest you might see him improve his play for Wednesday night. It is very likely his best chance to have a better game.

 

[Stephen]

I believe Matthews has to share some of the blame, but the Leafs organization can't allow Matthews to dictate what is happening.

Make the call to shut him down if he is this badly injured.

Exactly.

We all hear about Auston is the most powerful person in the organization so I wouldn’t be surprised if the Leafs took a more permissive stance and let Auston figure it out. They trust him, there’s a judgement call and whatever.

But if he’s not using his offseasons to get right and prioritizing other commitments in season that don’t put his long term health at number one, and he’s a shadow of himself because guy is dragging his year long issues into the 2025 playoffs… then they have some major relationship problems.

 

[Gabriel426]

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

And Knies who also played on that line was invisible too.

Come on, I mentioned it on the MM thread and will do the same here.
Stoping using MM(AM) as an excuse for AM(MM) bad plays bc Knies didn’t look like he was dragged down by any of them.

 

[thewave]

And Knies who also played on that line was invisible too.

Come on, I mentioned it on the MM thread and will do the same here.
Stoping using MM(AM) as an excuse for AM(MM) bad plays bc Knies didn’t look like he was dragged down by any of them.

Knies is on the other side. Matthews plays C and RW lol

 

[Gabriel426]

Have you ever had a shot of hydromorphine before a game? It is amazing how you don't feel any pain in your back for a few hours. Eventually da shot becomes less and less effective. So they switch up the pain killers. My guess is this is some kinda inflammation issue where da medical people don't think it is structural. I have taken steriods and taken rest and inflammation ceases. Matty is playing every 2nd day so rest is not in da cards. Also I think with 3 days rest you might see him improve his play for Wednesday night. It is very likely his best chance to have a better game.

I hope so but didn’t they had a three days rest between round and AM was also invisible in Game 1?

 

[BraveCanadian]

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.

Yup, said it a few times recently. If he doesn't have his shot he'll have to get his hands dirty and go to the net.

 

[Stephen]

Yup, said it a few times recently. If he doesn't have his shot he'll have to get his hands dirty and go to the net.

Yeah if he wanted to the Zach Hyman strategy is available to score garbage goals. Don’t see that level of commitment though.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

This is gonna sound like a dumb question, and maybe it is, but if he's injured and in so much pain why doesn't he ever look like he's, you know, hurting?

He's never hunched over or sitting awkwardly at press conferences wincing his face in pain. If I so much as stand up the wrong way, or move suddenly, I get a sharp pain that hurts so bad I'll actually cry out at times. He doesn't walk hunched over or use a cane like I have to sometimes and I've never seen him demonstrate anything that would indicate chronic debillitating pain.

Maybe he's on better goodies than what my doctor gives me but given the stringency on PED's for NHL'ers, and how much my doctor likes me, I doubt it.

 

[Jojalu]

This is gonna sound like a dumb question, and maybe it is, but if he's injured and in so much pain why doesn't he ever look like he's, you know, hurting?

He's never hunched over or sitting awkwardly at press conferences wincing his face in pain. If I so much as stand up the wrong way, or move suddenly, I get a sharp pain that hurts so bad I'll actually cry out at times. He doesn't walk hunched over or use a cane like I have to sometimes and I've never seen him demonstrate anything that would indicate chronic debillitating pain.

Maybe he's on better goodies than what my doctor gives me but given the stringency on PED's for NHL'ers, and how much my doctor likes me, I doubt it.

I think it was reported they freeze up the area before every game.

Who knows, since no one knows anything about what is going on?

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

I think it was reported they freeze up the area before every game.

Who knows, since no one knows anything about what is going on?

I'm not convinced ML$E is being honest here.

I guess there's a first time for everything but I doubt this is it.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I hope so but didn’t they had a three days rest between round and AM was also invisible in Game 1?

If he can't recover from his back and hand issues before game 5 then maybe he should not dress .. hate to say it because he is not hurting team but bottom line to me he looks like one of bottom half of forwards right now .. game 5 i would give him 1st period and then make da necessary adjustments in game .. like i said move Mitch with JT and McMann LINE 1and move Domi with Willy and Holmberg LINE 2 .. Knies is creating on his own so he can stay with Matty on 3rd line with Patch .. it will also give Florida more matchups problems and likely give Matty more room and time to recover between shifts .. and Cats won't be able to keep up to line 2 which will get a ton more chances with enhances speed .. taking on Jankrok i would reserve for a game 6 adjustment as that line is playing great playoff hockey

 

[Stephen]

I'm not convinced ML$E is being honest here.

I guess there's a first time for everything but I doubt this is it.

There’s a certain level of obfuscation when it comes to this injured player.

You’re not really supposed to know what’s wrong, there might be a performance decline and you don’t have a complete picture to scrutinize the way it’s been mismanaged for a calendar year.

 

[Mess]

Yeah if he wanted to the Zach Hyman strategy is available to score garbage goals. Don’t see that level of commitment though.

Hey lets not drag my boy Zach Hyman down here to Matthews compete level, .

Don't think many people realize this but over the course of the last 8 playoff years combined only 5 players have scored more playoff goals than Zach Hyman with 37.

Auston Matthews sits #43 in direct comparison overall and has scored -16 goals less than Zach. Based on skill level the 2 players stats should be reversed, but not on compete level and commitment to contribute.

Sadly come playoff time Matthews becomes very pedestrian like in terms of goal scoring among these players as his comparables. Players like J. Schwartz and A. Svechnikov can boast elevating their playoff goal output in similar games played to AM. Not where you expected the highest paid player in the game to be,

 

[Stephen]

Hey lets not drag my boy Zach Hyman down here to Matthews compete level, .

Don't think many people realize this but over the course of the last 8 playoff years combined only 5 players have scored more playoff goals than Zach Hyman.

Auston Matthews sits #43 in direct comparison overall and has scored -16 goals less than Zach. Based on skill level the 2 players stats should be reversed, but not on compete level and commitment to contribute.

View attachment 1034413

Sadly come playoff time Matthews becomes very pedestrian like in terms of goal scoring among these players as his comparables. Players like J. Schwartz and A. Svechnikov can boast elevating their playoff goal output in similar games played to AM. Not where you expected the highest paid player in the game to be,

View attachment 1034416

I said it when Matthews signed that 4 year contract that it he doesn’t get it done in this short window he’s going to take more reputational damage than he could possibly fathom and really damage his marketability at 31. Shockingly this is years ahead of schedule.

 

[TonsofPuppies]

Yeah, this narrative that the injury is what's causing Auston to be shit in these playoffs holds little weight. Sure, the injury makes him even worse than usual, but let's not pretend that the guy is good in the playoffs usually. He's garbage (relative to his salary / position in the league). There's no way to sugarcoat it. And also, with regards to said injury, this organization once again has shown how inept they are in every conceivable facet (outside of selling jerseys).

Auston has clearly been hurt all year. Hell, possibly since last year's playoffs. Who knows at this point. The bottom line though is that it seems that surgery is overwhelmingly likely coming this offseason. If that's the case, you have to wonder why it was not handled earlier in the year / last offseason, why Auston was playing at the 4N and why he is seemingly calling the shots with regards to his health. It's quite clear that the inmates run the asylum in Toronto. And it's all because management is afraid of pissing off / pushing these guys out and potentially threatening their jersey sales. It's honestly just pathetic how management has allowed these players to dictate the entire direction of the organization since they've been here and it's why we haven't won a damn thing.

 

[Mess]

I said it when Matthews signed that 4 year contract that it he doesn’t get it done in this short window he’s going to take more reputational damage than he could possibly fathom and really damage his marketability at 31. Shockingly this is years ahead of schedule.

There is a way out..

Leafs trade Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner to the Edmonton Oilers for Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman.

Then Leafs end up with 2 of the top 6 playoff goal scorers.

 

[TonsofPuppies]

I said it when Matthews signed that 4 year contract that it he doesn’t get it done in this short window he’s going to take more reputational damage than he could possibly fathom and really damage his marketability at 31. Shockingly this is years ahead of schedule.

I said when Matthews signed that 4 year contract (purely for selfish reasons on his part - the whole "doing one of the team" bullshit is laughable), that Leafs management and fans would be happy that it was only 4 years because I don't think this guy and his brittle body have a long shelf life in this league. Not at all surprised by what's transpired, though I wonder how all those who called me stupid at that time feel now.

 

[ITM]

I wonder with whatever Matthews is dealing with if the Leafs had their opinion on how to fix it. Matthews didn’t like it, got a second opinion. You would think the leafs have a good understanding on what is wrong with him. I can’t imagine it’s something from last playoffs that they haven’t advised him on what he needs to do.

Interesting take.

Thins out that what’s wrong with Matthews isn’t purely physical.

Which going to the 4-Nations strongly indicated anyway.

LA could really use an American star right now. Great statement for any incoming GM.

 

[ITM]

There is a way out..

Leafs trade Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner to the Edmonton Oilers for Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman.

Then Leafs end up with 2 of the top 6 playoff goal scorers.

I’d rather trade him for quality depth assets and 1st rounders and use the surplus cap space to acquire real impact…perhaps sending a signal to a player like the McDavid.

 

[sunstersun]

Why can't he adjust his game? He's still setting up the same way as if he can hit the net.

Change your playstyle. Drive straight at the net.... Greeasy goals....