Auston Matthews Discussion Thread
- Thread starter mrJT
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This guy comes in every year, and is a better version of himself year in and year out. One of the best players on the planet, still wanting to be better. How do you improve on that shot lol, yet there he is working on it. We are witnessing Leaf greatness, no question about it
- Oct 23, 2014
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His first goal last night was the new him in a nutshell. Come back all the way below your hashmarks/goal line and help break the puck out and carry the puck into the zone. Always had good topend speed, the dropped weight is letting him reach it faster. He is transporting the puck into the zone more than ever.
I expect him to be a Hart finalist this year.
I expect him to be a Hart finalist this year.
zeke
The Dube Abides
- Mar 14, 2005
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with the division we're in, we've got a great shot at 1st overall, and he is the favorite for the most goals, and will likely be up there in points too.
he'll have a very good case for the Hart, especially if the Oilers "MVPs" end up on a non-playoffs team in the same division.
I see Matthews having a similar career trajectory as Nate Mackinnon. He is already a dominate NHL player, but I am confident we have not even seen him at his best. It would not shock me for 1 second for him to be the most dominant player on the planet at some point in his career. This guy adds a new club to his bag every year. Last year it was the one timer, this year it seems to be added speed. He has always had unbelievable hands in tight and with heavy coverage. But this year he has done some things with the puck that are so filthy it seems unfair. The amount of times he picks up pucks in the corner and just walks out of tight coverage without seemingly any effort, delivering a tape to tape pass to a wide open player is crazy. truly an elite talent
LeafsNation75
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MacKinnon is a good example and if you think about like this Matthews first four seasons was better than his.
It was in MacKinnon's 5th season when he became the player everyone expected to be when he had 97 points and was a Hart Trophy finalist.
Now Matthews is already playing his 5th season.
zeke
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Babcock held back all our kids by huge amount.
It's not their fault, it's his fault.
It's not their fault, it's his fault.
MattySnipes
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Impressive stuff by Matthews.
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Mikeyg
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- Dec 26, 2011
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Hes a beast. I don’t care what any1 has to say here or anyone’s comments, to me, when hes really “on” hes the best in the league.
zeke
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LeafsNation75
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I will never forget Babcock playing Matthews a total of 18:47 in Game 7 against Boston in 2019.
Eternal Leaf
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His ability to win puck battles and strip pucks has gone to another level this season.
Right when he gets close to someone, you know that guy has no chance of keeping the puck.
Right when he gets close to someone, you know that guy has no chance of keeping the puck.
BAM
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- Nov 21, 2016
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Malkin-like offensively in his prime with the defensive ability of Datysuk...either believe me now or when it happens.
BAM
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If there was any one player I hope stays a Leafs for his entire career...it's Matthews AINEC. This guy is a monster, I still think he has another level in his physicality but Thornton and Simmonds presence imo is unlocking that part of his game this season already.
I've seen this dude in his 3rd season get mad and man-handle Shea Weber...he's a bull on skates when he wants to be.
I've seen this dude in his 3rd season get mad and man-handle Shea Weber...he's a bull on skates when he wants to be.
First it was Laine, then it was Barzal, then it was Pettersson. I wonder who's HF's next great hope to >>> Matthews. He will always live rent free in their heads.
LeafsNation75
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MattySnipes
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You're looking at his on-ice underlyings at all-strengths and how they rank based on league percentile. Definitely elite.
Imagine you wrote an exam at school and you finished in the 85th-90th percentile. That means you're in the top 10-15% of class. Maybe that makes it easier?
I think we are watching history with AM.
That said, I would like to see folks around here remember this conversation when he has a few bad games.
That said, I would like to see folks around here remember this conversation when he has a few bad games.
LeafsNation75
Registered User
Weren't some people worried when he didn't score a goal in the Leafs first two games this season?
No idea why. With his new found elite skating this league is at his mercy.
LeafsNation75
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Matthews was also unlucky because I remember in the 3rd period against Montreal when the score was tied 3-3 he hit the post not longer after Toronto tied the game. If you give him that same chance on net I bet he scores 10/10 times.
saffronleaf
Registered User
We're spoiled. Every year he adds a different element to his game.
Last year he added the one timer and toward the end became more physical.
This year he's added more speed and agility to that.
saffronleaf
Registered User
Remember how long he didn't have him on the first PP? Or end of game situations?
I mean it's not a big deal but Matthews should have won the rocket in his 1st year in the league if Babcock played him like he should have been played.
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