Tribute Auston Matthews Discussion Thread II: Record Breaking Edition
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Say what you want about Dubas, I’m just glad he talked Matthews down from signing for 8 years.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
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I think if Matthews leaves Toronto thinking the Leafs are a problem and looks for greener pastures elsewhere without realizing that championship drive, his star power and reputation takes a bit of a haircut like a Jack Eichel in Vegas. At that point you’re no longer on the Mackinnon, Crosby, Ovechkin career path where you’re franchise foundation, champion. You become more of the Kevin Durant joining someone else’s party. Maybe that’s fine at the end of the day should it happen but part of that gradual downgrading of AM34 since his Hart season.
I agree in principal with what you are saying, but there is one difference that matters. Eichel, before he had his neck injury, was a half step behind Matthews in terms of how good of a player he was. Since his injury, he is a full step (if not more). Matthews is/should be a top 10, maybe top 5 playing in this league year in and year out. Eichel? Hes good, but at this point he is more like the 25th or 30th best player in the league.
The issue I have with Matthews goes back to the beginning. Even after last years great season, I just never really saw him as a "Toronto guy" who "bleeds blue and white". Yeah, he wants to win and he is the biggest star on this team, but I just don't see him being embraced by the city as much as guys like Wendel Clark, Doug Gilmour, Mats Sundin.
Stephen
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Matthews IS embraced by the city of Toronto. It's just he's been on a downward trajectory since his Hart Trophy season and we've been dealing with a 12 month cycle of lowered regular season expectations when every other star is shooting out the lights, was hurt and saving it for the playoffs, and he's being outplayed by guys like Jack Hughes.
MSZ
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DarkKnight
Professional Amateur
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What a difference a year makes.
If he did those things he’d be a pretty good player.
I mean, in fairness, these two guys have proven over and over they are idiots. Claiming Matthews doesn’t know how to throw a hit is pretty assinine.
Or sorry, he just doesn't care or something like that...
It's pretty obvious he hasn't been shooting the puck anywhere close to normal all season, stickhandling looks noticeably worse, not stealing pucks nearly as often, etc., and it was already confirmed at various points in the season by our coach and GM that he was playing through injuries...
The reason he doesn't have multiple 100 point seasons by now are the two COVID shortened seasons of which he missed a combined 4 games in total.
Actually in one of those he wasn't even on pace for 100 points anyway, but paced for 55 goals. Never paced for 100 before those two seasons, so that's just flat out false either way.
Yeah 85 hits, 33 takeaways and 31 blocked shots in his last 23 playoff games are just... the most of any elite forward in the NHL?
ACC1224
Super Elite, Passing ALL Tests since 2002
- Aug 19, 2002
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Show up tonight. Best player on the team needs to be the best player on the team.
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Is he really elite? Maybe it’s in there, but after 6 yrs he hasn’t shown that he’s an elite playoff performer
Or sorry, he just doesn't care or something like that...
It's pretty obvious he hasn't been shooting the puck anywhere close to normal all season, stickhandling looks noticeably worse, not stealing pucks nearly as often, etc., and it was already confirmed at various points in the season by our coach and GM that he was playing through injuries...
The reason he doesn't have multiple 100 point seasons by now are the two COVID shortened seasons of which he missed a combined 4 games in total.
Actually in one of those he wasn't even on pace for 100 points anyway, but paced for 55 goals. Never paced for 100 before those two seasons, so that's just flat out false either way.
Right but drai has 2x110 in the last 4 years. Matthews 1x100. Something has to give.
I think people make too much of this. Injured, sure. Played through it very well, definitely. But if his injury was half as bad as people like to claim it was, he would not have been capable of playing, pure and simple. If you cannot skate at all, you cannot play. It’s been overhyped.
Stephen
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I think people make too much out of Matthews injury too. Why the wrist is connected to the drive train and skating I’ll never understand.
I mean, Matthews has been off all year, but by his own admission he felt good coming into the playoffs. He played very well vs Tampa, so unless his injury has been reaggrivated, I’m assuming he’s reasonably health (as far as healthy goes in the playoffs). My bigger worry is if what we are seeing in his shot isn’t a current injury but the impacts of repeatedly injuring it taking a toll on his release
HamiltonNHL
Resigning Marner == Running it back
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Never thought I'd say this but if Matthews no shows again tonight I could honestly care less if he's a Leaf next season and on.
supermann_98
Registered User
- May 8, 2002
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This. I still remember his first game and forgetting the 4 goals for a minute, I'm remembering him skating with the puck and evading checks while having defenders draped on his hip as he drives to the net. It was like Forsberg mixed with Jagr.
Now at the slightest sign of pressure he dumps the puck to a linemate and often times its quickly on the others team stick because his passing is only so-so.
What happened to him as a player? What happened to the one-timer he showed off last year? What happened to the curl and drag thru a defenders legs that went bar down?
Looks like he's gone Hollywood and with all the commercials he's shilling stuff he forgot he has to put in the work during the off-season. I guess being a multi-millionaire who's a pretty good player is good enough for him
Agreed, the $11.64m that will go to likely > $12.5m a summer from now can be used better on players who actually give a damn
kevsh
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I have often watched in awe at MacKinnon flying through the neutral zone, attacking the blue line and daring defenders to try and stop him.
Not everyone can be MacKinnon of course, and very few have his acceleration and power in their legs, but his almost fearless attitude is scary to watch - I assume much more so for the d-man in front of him. That could be Matthews if he wanted to, instead he sticks to the outside as much as possible and looks to hand off to a winger on almost every zone entry.
And we have seen he can do it, just far too rarely. But man, when he attacks it's a sight. Where is that guy right now?
Not everyone can be MacKinnon of course, and very few have his acceleration and power in their legs, but his almost fearless attitude is scary to watch - I assume much more so for the d-man in front of him. That could be Matthews if he wanted to, instead he sticks to the outside as much as possible and looks to hand off to a winger on almost every zone entry.
And we have seen he can do it, just far too rarely. But man, when he attacks it's a sight. Where is that guy right now?
koyvoo
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It’s just so amazing that he’s so beyond criticism for so many people.
He probably does have a lingering injury. Look into Steve Yzerman’s 2001/2002 season, though.
The biggest issue here is this - this guy is a what, top 2, top 5, top 10 talent in the league at absolute worst.
There have been many, many regular season games where at the end of the gane you could clearly finger him as the best player on the ice. Dominant. Wouldn’t be denied, etc.
In the playoffs, it’s so much more rare that he is clearly the best player from either team at the end of the game, like so much more rare. This is over the course of his career.
There are many intangibles to winning a cup, but if your best players aren’t your best players, none of the intangibles matter.
Auston Matthews needs ti be the best player on the ice more often than not. He is that level of a talent. In the playoffs, it’s more rare than a blue moon.
He probably does have a lingering injury. Look into Steve Yzerman’s 2001/2002 season, though.
The biggest issue here is this - this guy is a what, top 2, top 5, top 10 talent in the league at absolute worst.
There have been many, many regular season games where at the end of the gane you could clearly finger him as the best player on the ice. Dominant. Wouldn’t be denied, etc.
In the playoffs, it’s so much more rare that he is clearly the best player from either team at the end of the game, like so much more rare. This is over the course of his career.
There are many intangibles to winning a cup, but if your best players aren’t your best players, none of the intangibles matter.
Auston Matthews needs ti be the best player on the ice more often than not. He is that level of a talent. In the playoffs, it’s more rare than a blue moon.
Aashir
Backcheck, Forecheck, Paycheque
- Apr 19, 2019
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Series, from a literal standpoint, isn’t over.
You want to show people you care? Be the best player on the ice
You want to show people you care? Be the best player on the ice
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