Auston Matthews Discussion Thread

[LeafsNation75]

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

It's a small sample size but we already have the evidence of what Thornton can do on the top line with Matthews and Marner from last Saturday against Ottawa.

So in the short term I rather see Hyman back on Matthews line because we know what he brings with Matthews and Marner.

 

[A1LeafNation]

It's a small sample size but we already have the evidence of what Thornton can do on the top line with Matthews and Marner from last Saturday against Ottawa.

So in the short term I rather see Hyman back on Matthews line because we know what he brings with Matthews and Marner.

I like the shutdown line so hesitant to break that up, but also I think Simmonds will be no slower than Thornton and will create some room for the duo to work their magic.

 

[LeafsNation75]

I like the shutdown line so hesitant to break that up, but also I think Simmonds will be no slower than Thornton and will create some room for the duo to work their magic.

Personally I would be surprised on Friday if Simmonds is on Matthews line instead of Hyman. So I guess we just have to wait and see.

 

[A1LeafNation]

Personally I would be surprised on Friday if Simmonds is on Matthews line instead of Hyman. So I guess we just have to wait and see.

Probably I would be surprised too, but want to those 3 given a try and some point.

 

[7even]

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.

That's the playstyle that made him so electric his rookie season. Last year I thought he was comparatively binary -- impactful, but not very dynamic. I'm glad to see him getting back to his boardwork, because he can be an absolute monster down low.

 

[Stephen]

When this season is over I will be interested to see where Matthews production lines up with his traditional road numbers. We all know he loves playing the big games at home here in Toronto and scoring those goals to blow the roof off the building. With Keefe’s comments about missing that fan energy I wonder what the season long impact will be on a guy who loves the big stage.

 

[LeafsNation75]

When this season is over I will be interested to see where Matthews production lines up with his traditional road numbers. We all know he loves playing the big games at home here in Toronto and scoring those goals to blow the roof off the building. With Keefe’s comments about missing that fan energy I wonder what the season long impact will be on a guy who loves the big stage.

Do you think that has something to do with Matthews not scoring as many goals to start this season compared to last year? Although it's not like he hasn't had his chances and has been unlucky like when he hit the post against Montreal on opening night when he had that breakaway in the 3rd period.

 

[GordieHoweHatTrick]

I hope he can stay healthy and that his departure from practice early today is just maintenance-related.

 

[Captain14]

When this season is over I will be interested to see where Matthews production lines up with his traditional road numbers. We all know he loves playing the big games at home here in Toronto and scoring those goals to blow the roof off the building. With Keefe’s comments about missing that fan energy I wonder what the season long impact will be on a guy who loves the big stage.

I didn’t realize we had “fan energy” on home ice.
If anything, many opposing players come here with extra motivation to excel.

 

[LeafsNation75]

I didn’t realize we had “fan energy” on home ice.
If anything, many opposing players come here with extra motivation to excel.

I thought that logic applied to players from Toronto or the GTA coming back home to play against the Maple Leafs?

 

[Stephen]

I didn’t realize we had “fan energy” on home ice.
If anything, many opposing players come here with extra motivation to excel.

Matthews goals always seem to energize the crowd. That’s the impression I saw him live at the World Championship for North America and then in the playoffs vs Boston, as well as on TV.

 

[LeafsNation75]

Matthews goals always seem to energize the crowd. That’s the impression I saw him live at the World Championship for North America and then in the playoffs vs Boston, as well as on TV.

When you look at Matthews celebrations when he scored these goals he did seem fired up and maybe the fans being in attendance helped.

 

[BackPassChampions]

Is Matthews injured? Any scoop on what’s going on? Was it the cross checks the to the back?

 

[LeafsNation75]

Is Matthews injured? Any scoop on what’s going on? Was it the cross checks the to the back?

So far the only report is he left practice early.

Auston Matthews makes early exit from Toronto Maple Leafs practice - TSN.ca

 

[Stephen]

So far the only report is he left practice early.

Auston Matthews makes early exit from Toronto Maple Leafs practice - TSN.ca

I wonder what it could be? If it was any kind of cold, flu type symptoms the whole organization would probably be in a Covid stance with the way things work these days. Assume it would be more on the side of bumps and bruises.

 

[LeafsNation75]

I wonder what it could be? If it was any kind of cold, flu type symptoms the whole organization would probably be in a Covid stance with the way things work these days. Assume it would be more on the side of bumps and bruises.

That's what I was thinking when I first heard this news. The fact Matthews attempted to practice and even though he left it early, should that be seen as a good thing or a bad thing?

 

[Stephen]

That's what I was thinking when I first heard this news. The fact Matthews attempted to practice and even though he left it early, should that be seen as a good thing or a bad thing?

I don't know, we shall see tomorrow. He didn't look overly energized when he scored last night.

 

[LeafsNation75]

I don't know, we shall see tomorrow. He didn't look overly energized when he scored last night.

When he scored last night I was happy they tied the game and I didn't think to look at his reaction.

 

[hockeynorth]

He looks like he's been playing with something wrong

 

[Subway Schenn]

Hopefully nothing serious. Kid (****, I'm getting old) is a legend in the making.

 

[Captain14]

I thought that logic applied to players from Toronto or the GTA coming back home to play against the Maple Leafs?

Correct. There are a lot of players that either grew up in the GTA or played juniors nearby and they all seem more fired up to play in front of our crowd than we do.
Just an observation over the last 40 years lol

 

[LeafsNation75]

Correct. There are a lot of players that either grew up in the GTA or played juniors nearby and they all seem more fired up to play in front of our crowd than we do.
Just an observation over the last 40 years lol

Has that same logic ever been said when a Quebec born player plays against the Canadiens in Montreal, a BC born player plays against the Canucks in Vancouver, or Alberta born players play against Edmonton or Calgary on the road?

Hell last season I don't remember anyone saying how Cody Ceci would be fired up to play against the Senators in Ottawa. Not because he use to play for them, I'm referring to the fact he is from Ottawa.

 

[Captain14]

Has that same logic ever been said when a Quebec born player plays against the Canadiens in Montreal, a BC born player plays against the Canucks in Vancouver, or Alberta born players play against Edmonton or Calgary on the road?
Hell last season I don't remember anyone saying how Cody Ceci would be fired up to play against the Senators in Ottawa. Not because he use to play for them, I'm referring to the fact he is from Ottawa.

IMO it’s not quite the same in those cities. Toronto is the center of the hockey universe, it’s always amplified here. You can’t tell me you’ve never witnessed or heard of opposing players coming home to our building and having huge nights, maybe it’s just the media that makes it a larger story? It was definitely more prevalent in the 70’s when there was very little influx of American and European players.

 

[mrJT]

Yeah those cross checks were vicious, being a big guy that can take a toll on the back, just look at Malkin
Hopefully he just needs some rehab and rest.

 

[LeafsNation75]

IMO it’s not quite the same in those cities. Toronto is the center of the hockey universe, it’s always amplified here. You can’t tell me you’ve never witnessed or heard of opposing players coming home to our building and having huge nights, maybe it’s just the media that makes it a larger story? It was definitely more prevalent in the 70’s when there was very little influx of American and European players.

Believe me I have heard that type of discussion before about Toronto born players coming back home to play against the Maple Leafs and wanting to have a good game.

I guess the only time when something like that was in Toronto's favor was when the Maple Leafs played the Coyotes in Arizona and the talk about Matthews wanting to have a great game playing in his home state.