Tribute Auston Matthews Discussion Thread II: Record Breaking Edition

[ACC1224]

So I wonder say the Leafs go on a run and make it to round 3 and Matthews dominates like he is now. Matthews will have 60+ goals 100+ pts, played well in the playoffs, what goal post would the haters have left? None of it counts cause he hasn't won a cup? Then say they win, nope gotta 3 peat before it counts? I'm curious where it will end

They’ll circle back to dropping his pants for the security guard.

 

[Stephen]

Matthews is currently sitting at 99 points and poised to be the first Leaf to break the century mark since Doug Gilmour in 1993-94. He's also at a 1.48 PPG right behind McDavid at 1.50, and 9 points behind for the Art Ross. Not sure if he's going to have another 11 point week coming up but nothing seems to be off the table at the moment.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

He is the real deal, the complete package unlike any I've ever seen. You could almost say that he's the perfect hockey player

He’s need to be a better puck carrier. He’s made progress in OT but overall he doesn’t dictate play like other greats

 

[Gary Nylund]

He’s need to be a better puck carrier. He’s made progress in OT but overall he doesn’t dictate play like other greats

That's why I used the word "almost".

 

[authentic]

There are zero arguments that favor anyone besides Matthews winning the Hart & Lindsay this year.

A .02 PPG difference that could disappear before the end of the season but even if it does not, that .02 covers:

-Matthews being way better than the field against top competition.
-Matthews scoring nearly 30% more of his points via goals. Goals > Assists.
-Matthews being better than McDavid, Draisaitl and Huberdeau defensively.

People always talk about McDavid being an amazing player and rightly so but they never talk about his line as a whole because it's not comparable to Matthews.

Whether it be Matthews Nylander Hyman, Matthews Marner Hyman, Matthews Marner Bunting...they are always one of the best lines in hockey.

Neither McDavid or Draisaitl are players who make other linemates better. Their next best linemate has less than 50 points while both these guys are over 100. Hyman is playing on the PP which he never did for Toronto outside of the 2nd unit and he's still about the same as he was on Toronto with worse defensive numbers.

Yeah good call. He ramps up his game against the best teams instead of the worst. Everything this season is in favour of Matthews, it's not really a debate at this point.

 

[nuck]

The Ovi vs Matthews thread is done but I wanted to share this because posters would say Matthews isn't dominating like Ovi:

Matthews gpg - 0.87
Difference between Matthews and #2 in gpg = 0.87- 0.70 = 0.17
Difference between Matthews and #10 in gpg = 0.87 - 0.58 = 0.29

Ovechkin gpg - 0.79
Difference between Ovi and #2 in GPG = 0.79 - 0.66 = 0.13
Difference between Ovi and #10 in GPG = 0.79 - 0.49 = 0.30

He's having a better season statistically and relative to his peers than peak Ovechkin. This is a historical run for Matthews

Statistically Ovi had his best year in a 2.82 gpg environment. The current one is 3.12 gpg so I would say the two seasons are almost a wash. Matthews season this year is more like the 2008 Ovechkin than any player's season since, including all of Ovy's. I'm not sure why anyone would say he isn't dominating like Ovy did except he doesn't skate through other players. Too close to call for me and too bad he won't play 82.

 

[Oscar Peterson]

Statistically Ovi had his best year in a 2.82 gpg environment. The current one is 3.12 gpg so I would say the two seasons are almost a wash. Matthews season this year is more like the 2008 Ovechkin than any player's season since, including all of Ovy's. I'm not sure why anyone would say he isn't dominating like Ovy did except he doesn't skate through other players. Too close to call for me and too bad he won't play 82.

I'd argue that the goals per game trending upwards is because skill across the league is at an all time high and team run four lines of hockey players, not because it's an easier environment to score.

 

[ThrowDemTongs]

I'd argue that the goals per game trending upwards is because skill across the league is at an all time high and team run four lines of hockey players, not because it's an easier environment to score.

Agreed. Case in point re skill at all-time high: Holl.

 

[Oscar Peterson]

Agreed. Case in point re skill at all-time high: Holl.

Sarcasm right lol

 

[justloveleafs]

He is a really good puck carrier, but he has a big frame, a la Esposito. Espo could carry the puck really well, but he knew his best approach was to ghost himself out there, which is not easy to do at that size lol.

Matthews, is probably like Roger Federer, his own best coach. Fed eventually let a few more people into his camp, but after his original mentor died, a great man, who I knew very well, he never let anyone take much credit for his genius.

If McDavid was as big as Matthews, he wouldn't be zipping up the ice at a 40 kmh pace carrying the puck all the time either.

Its all about body size when you get down to it.

I will give Matthews one category, hands down of all time. He has the slipperiest stick, in NHL history.

Guy can do stuff, that is out of a Minnestoa fats black and white film. Insane stick skills.

Hey, that is a nice category win imo.

And yes I watched Mario and Wayne play a LOT. Both uber sick of course.

 

[ThrowDemTongs]

Sarcasm right lol

Good n you?

 

[authentic]

He is a really good puck carrier, but he has a big frame, a la Esposito. Espo could carry the puck really well, but he knew his best approach was to ghost himself out there, which is not easy to do at that size lol.

Matthews, is probably like Roger Federer, his own best coach. Fed eventually let a few more people into his camp, but after his original mentor died, a great man, who I knew very well, he never let anyone take much credit for his genius.

If McDavid was as big as Matthews, he wouldn't be zipping up the ice at a 40 kmh pace carrying the puck all the time either.

Its all about body size when you get down to it.

I will give Matthews one category, hands down of all time. He has the slipperiest stick, in NHL history.

Guy can do stuff, that is out of a Minnestoa fats black and white film. Insane stick skills.

Hey, that is a nice category win imo.

And yes I watched Mario and Wayne play a LOT. Both uber sick of course.

That's the one part of Matthews game which is most underrated.

There was a thread about best hands and people laughed at the idea that he was top 10 and insisted Draisaitl and several others have better hands. His stickhandling in tight literally looks abnormal with the speed and control he maintains.

 

[nuck]

I'd argue that the goals per game trending upwards is because skill across the league is at an all time high and team run four lines of hockey players, not because it's an easier environment to score.

Kris Kreider has 49 goals. Nazim Kadri has 83 points. At age 31 Roman Josi is 22 points ahead of his career best pace and about to be the first 90pt D man since 1994.

Its definitely an easier environment to score, maybe thanks to expansion and to a bit of uneven post-Covid play. I honestly want it to stay this way but I think next season will be leaner.

 

[Pi]

I'd argue that the goals per game trending upwards is because skill across the league is at an all time high and team run four lines of hockey players, not because it's an easier environment to score.

Also: Ovechkin played 485 minutes on the PP. Matthews on pace to play about half of that.

Imagine how many more goals Matthews is scoring if he got that kind of PP time. Ovechkin is 1st again in PP minutes played this year, Matthews is not even on the first page (top 50 players).

 

[Contenderorpretender]

Remember last year when people were saying that leafs and oilers players racked up points because they played in the north division. But this year Matthews and marner are playing in arguably the most competitive division and their ppg has increased. Yet the other two's ppg has decreased. Weird. MVP

 

[justloveleafs]

That's the one part of Matthews game which is most underrated.

There was a thread about best hands and people laughed at the idea that he was top 10 and insisted Draisaitl and several others have better hands. His stickhandling in tight literally looks abnormal with the speed and control he maintains.

Truly brother. And we get to witness it.

How important is he? To this franchise and city? Well, there are rumblings that he really likes Justin Holl.

Just as a bud, maybe a kinship, as a fellow american. I mean, we have, what Shanahan wanted, some cool global cliques. A la the Detroit Red Wings.

Lyubushkin gets hurt by that sucker punch, albeit, kinda soft, and who i s there, to take him off the ice?

Fellow Russian, and within a year of age, Micheyev.

How many Americans are on this team to bolster, Matthews? Well Justin Holl. Holl is a cool guy, nice guy.

And yanks like yanks, Aussies love Aussies. Canadians, well we have so many Canadian hockey players, we don't care so much who is who.

If that is the case? I can handle Holl playing over Liljegren. I mean, I love Lilly, but keeping the best Leaf of all time, happy? Is that important?

Dubas and Shanahan, are like chefs. Their model has convinced me of one thing.

I am old and blessed enough to have watched the Montreal Canadiens at their peak in the seventies.

I was similarly blessed to watch, the Edlmonton Oilers at their peak years.

The Detroit Red Wings, were obviously great.

But they did NOT entertain, like the previous two.

Dubas and Shanahan are trying to achieve what only two teams in the last 50 years have done.

Entertain like artists and beat everyone, and bring home the hardware.

If we win the Cup, both would be advised to not even attend, they might be mobbed to death.

I know I won't attend, it won't be safe lol.

But back to the original point, our best player of all time.

He is not McDavid. And McDavid is not him.

Thank god.

Both absolutely great for hockey.

Who is better? Who is better, Nadal Djokovic, or Federer, or Sampras or Laver for that matter?

I don't care, my franchise, THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS FINALLY

has one of the greatest players of all time.

I also think, living, in a climate that is deadly hot all the time, would be too much for him now.

Imagine, a kid, becoming as great as he is? In Arizona?

I mean who does that? Who?

I shake my head when I see where some greats have come from. They must have really, really wanted it.

The greats, the very best, its like they were chosen, born to be.

Orr from Parry Sound.

Gretzky on a backyard rink from Brantford.

So many anomalies.

I was a pro in another sport, and its very, very rare, any of us, produced a champion.

Which makes the Sutter story way crazy.

The recent Hughes story, wth the three greats coming up.

Rocket and Henri.

 

[Auston 316]

So I wonder say the Leafs go on a run and make it to round 3 and Matthews dominates like he is now. Matthews will have 60+ goals 100+ pts, played well in the playoffs, what goal post would the haters have left? None of it counts cause he hasn't won a cup? Then say they win, nope gotta 3 peat before it counts? I'm curious where it will end

It’ll never end - that’s why it’s pointless to “debate” these people. It’s their nature to be antagonistic. Trolls troll.

 

[Scion]

View attachment 529240

When you factor in primary points/game, strength of division, defensive results, face-off %, and how much harder it is to score goals than assist it really isn't all that close between Matthews and McDavid this year.

 

[Scion]

You might be biased zeke

I know you are kidding, but in all sincerity as much slack as Zeke gets for being biased he is the most consistent in his opinion and right now he looks right.

 

[bax]

The MVP chants were really loud and consistent last night in the rink. It was beautiful!

 

[zeke]

When you factor in primary points/game, strength of division, defensive results, face-off %, and how much harder it is to score goals than assist it really isn't all that close between Matthews and McDavid this year.

don't forget empty net points.

 

[NinjaKick]

I think I'll echo what TK said... wouldn't trade Matthews for any player in the league

 

[saffronleaf]

I like how Matthews has responded to his achievements.

Some iconic but understated goal celebrations; always underscoring in his interviews that the main goal is to win games; and how much he looks like he's enjoying this.

Sounds like he understands what it means to play in Toronto and loves it. I don't think he's going anywhere. Just give him a blank check.

 

[Zybalto]

 

[Zybalto]

Whats weird about all these analytical models showing how good he is........is that he has a huge drawback none of the other top players have.

He doesnt draw penalties and the models hold that against him.