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Auston Matthews Discussion Thread

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BlueBaron said:
Apparently he dropped weight so he would be quicker.
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Yep, down to 211 and he looks quicker.

Their line has been a bit out of sync and take long shifts, but I expect they'll figure it out. It's nice to have two first lines in the event one is off.
 
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Korg said:
Yep, down to 211 and he looks quicker.

Their line has been a bit out of sink and take long shifts, but I expect they'll figure it out. It's nice to have two first lines in the event one is off.
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Hahaha it's great having two first lines. I'll never get tired of it.
 
6ix said:
He just has that aura now where he’s noticeable every shift. That glide and looks quicker. He’s had a good start to the season and has been play making when other teams are defending his shot.
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In the limited amount of time we've seen of him this season, I think he chose the perfect thing to work on this off-season. He is so much more shifty in zones,"his body is allowing him to do what his mind is asking."

He'll make a play then spin around and go into another position. He's always moving now, he's quicker and still seems to have same strength if not more.
 
Matthews is playing with an edge and willing to take punishment to make a play. I just hope the refs know when to draw the line to protect him from injury.
 
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He's been all over the ice and his skating looks noticeably better and more agile, but I wonder if he needs to simplify things and not get involved on every single thing on the ice. He's been getting crossed up with Marner and Thornton quite a bit whenever they all converge on loose pucks and to various spots on the ice. I think he needs to find that Stamkos gear where he can ghost a little bit and re-emerge in a scoring area. Or when he's carrying the puck clean things up with the linemates so the spacing works better.
 
Is this Matthews goal a result of him surprising Koskinen or was it bad positioning Koskinen that allowed the puck to get behind past him and into the net?



They are different but his goal tonight reminded me of this goal last season he scored against Vancouver because of how the puck went into the net.

 
LeafsNation75 said:
With Joe Thornton going to miss "some time" I guess we can see Hyman back on Matthews line?
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Maybe this will help with the spacing problem on that line. Seems like Marner and Thornton converge to the same areas, Thornton and Matthews converge to the same areas, and Matthews and Marner converge on the same areas.
 
He’s been unreal IMO. Agreed with everyone that he looks noticeably faster, he’s an incredible puck hound, a beast at winning the puck back, and crazy dangerous with the puck too, obviously. Really like that he’s getting more physical as well, and he’s turning into a very, very good defensive centre. Just a stud. He was already a 2-way superstar last year, and he’s taken a significant step forward once again.

Watching McDavid and MacKinnon this year, they’re obviously outstanding players, but ... better than Matthews? I’m honestly no longer sure. It’s very close, at least.

Also re: the physicality, Matthews hits per game, per season:
  • 2016/17: 0.26 hits/game
  • 2017/18: 0.26
  • 2018/19: 0.41
  • 2019/20: 0.57
  • 2020/21: 2.2 (very early, but great start!)
For reference, Muzzin is generally around 2 hits/game most seasons. Obviously Matthews is never going to be a Muzzin level hitter, I’d be super happy with 1 hit/game this season, but he’s been developing more and more of a physical edge over time.
 
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LeafsNation75 said:
With Joe Thornton going to miss "some time" I guess we can see Hyman back on Matthews line?
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I think Simmonds is a better fit on the top line than Thornton. He is a net front presence that will hit and hit back if anyone steps up to Matthews and Marner.

With both Robertson and Thornton out, we will need more forward options in the ice.

Simmonds Matthews Marner
Vesey Tavares Nylander
Mikheyev Kerfoot Hyman
Barabanov Spezza Anderson

Rielly Brodie
Muzzin Holl
Dermott Bogosian

Campbell
Andersen
 
A1LeafNation said:
I think Simmonds is a better fit on the top line than Thornton. He is a net front presence that will hit and hit back if anyone steps up to Matthews and Marner.

With both Robertson and Thornton out, we will need more forwards.

Simmonds Matthews Marner
Vesey Tavares Nylander
Mikheyev Kerfoot Hyman
Barabanov Spezza Anderson

Rielly Brodie
Muzzin Holl
Dermott Bogosian

Campbell
Andersen
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Simmonds is absolutely terrible on the 4th line and has been useless on the PP, so that wouldn't really make sense. Hyman should be moved up
 
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CantLoseWithMatthews said:
Simmonds is absolutely terrible on the 4th line and has been useless on the PP, so that wouldn't really make sense. Hyman should be moved up
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Isn't that the same logic that Thornton was terrible in the bottom 6 in SJ but got put to the top line in TO right away.

The elements Simmonds brings would be an asset to the top line.

Why break up the shut down line if you don't need to?
 
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