Auston Matthews Discussion Thread

[Morbo]

Matthews is just immense. So proud he is a Leaf. Retire here Auston. Please lol. Leafs must re-sign him pull out all stops. Get Bieber on the phone whatever it takes.

if ever there was a player to keep, this is the one. based on the past 40 years it might well be a frosty day in Hades before they get another chance to draft a player of that calibre.

 

[saffronleaf]

wrong thread

 

[BallardEra]

Great deflection tonight by Matthews on his goal.

 

[Aashir]

Is he heating up?

 

[stickty111]

He still has another level to him but it's funny he's still on a 41 goal pace if he played 82 games which he won't obviously, despite not being himself. The criticism was strange because he has been great defensively all year. One of the guys I don't worry about on the team.

 

[leafsfan5]

I still don't think he's in top form

He's just so good that he can score regardless

 

[BallardEra]

He still has another level to him but it's funny he's still on a 41 goal pace if he played 82 gsmes which he won't despite not being himself. The criticism was strange because he has been great defensively all year. One of the guys I don't worry about on the team.

Yep, I’m loving that he’s buying into the team concept and the goals will keep coming for him.

 

[Willchel Marlynder]

Still haven't seen as many nasty snipes as we've seen in the past. Thankfully he's scoring in other ways.

 

[Confucius]

Still haven't seen as many nasty snipes as we've seen in the past. Thankfully he's scoring in other ways.

I seem to recall as a rookie he scored many ways and just morphed into the sniper role. I think he will be better going back to the more versatile player. Laine was the sniper Mathews was the more complete player. Get back to that ATM.

 

[Maria Sharapova]

Auston shot is completely off yet he’s playing some of the best hockey I’ve ever seen.

His 2 way game is unmatched it’s shades of Datsyuk really. His relentless back checking and coming back all the way back behind his net to assist the d is world class.

To add he’s lead the culture shift all the top players have bought in, they see how much he cares and they emulate it. Tavares Marner Nylander heck everyone on the team it’s magic. Not trying to discredit Campbell cause he’s breaking records but when was the last lead we blew or the last time it felt like the goalie had no help. We are witnessing a shift in culture in the room playing for the team laying it all out on the line and helping each other and it’s really special to see.

He really should be captain sooner than later. Hope he can get his shot back working but with the play he has given us no complaints here.

 

[Confucius]

Auston shot is completely off yet he’s playing some of the best hockey I’ve ever seen.

His 2 way game is unmatched it’s shades of Datsyuk really. His relentless back checking and coming back all the way back behind his net to assist the d is world class.

To add he’s lead the culture shift all the top players have bought in, they see how much he cares and they emulate it. Tavares Marner Nylander heck everyone on the team it’s magic. Not trying to discredit Campbell cause he’s breaking records but when was the last lead we blew or the last time it felt like the goalie had no help. We are witnessing a shift in culture in the room playing for the team laying it all out on the line and helping each other and it’s really special to see.

He really should be captain sooner than later. Hope he can get his shot back working but with the play he has given us no complaints here.

If Mathews signs an extension he will get a C eventually, but stripping JT of it is unwarranted and definitely would not be a positive sign.

 

[Maria Sharapova]

If Mathews signs an extension he will get a C eventually, but stripping JT of it is unwarranted and definitely would not be a positive sign.

yeah more figuratively than literally speaking, Tavares is a good captain but this is Auston’s team.

 

[Stephen]

I seem to recall as a rookie he scored many ways and just morphed into the sniper role. I think he will be better going back to the more versatile player. Laine was the sniper Mathews was the more complete player. Get back to that ATM.

Kind of agree with that. He was a more dynamic scorer earlier in his career but last year he seemed to almost be like a Stamkos type "big shot."

If he's not 100% for whatever reason or if defenders are taking away certain looks and angles it makes sense for him to find other ways to get on board than to rely on the shot.

 

[Teeder Keon]

I think AM’s game right now is the best ever so far in his career and getting better …
Defensively aware
Comes back hard
Plays hard on the puck
Hits
Goes into the corners
Battles
Wins battles
Big and strong
Passion
Passes off now more
Has the desire
Terrific dynamic player that wants to win badly
Way to go AM
Way more of a complete player than I gave him credit for early in his career and way better of a complete player I ever thought he could be

 

[Kingstonian1984]

If Mathews signs an extension he will get a C eventually, but stripping JT of it is unwarranted and definitely would not be a positive sign.

To be honest, as much as I like JT the player, I don't see leadership vibes from him, he's "one of the guys"IMO.If anyone should get the "c", it's Spezza, hes the real captain of this team IMO.

 

[Confucius]

To be honest, as much as I like JT the player, I don't see leadership vibes from him, he's "one of the guys"IMO.If anyone should get the "c", it's Spezza, hes the real captain of this team IMO.

There are a number of good guys on this team who would make great captains. We are very fortunate these days.

 

[zeke]

Auston Matthews Career Progression

16-17: 51.9xgf% (+0.6rel)
17-18: 51.7xgf% (+1.1rel)
18-19: 52.4xgf% (+1.2rel)
19-20: 55.7xgf% (+3.6rel)
20-21: 60.8xgf% (+4.7rel)
21-22: 64.1xgf% (+9.1rel)

Offense only

16-17: 3.01xgf60 (+2.3rel)
17-18: 2.99xgf60 (+3.0rel)
18-19: 3.17xgf60 (+3.5rel)
19-20: 2.95xgf60 (+2.3rel)
20-21: 3.12xgf60 (+3.8rel)
21-20: 3.49xgf60 (+5.0rel)

Defense Only (negative rel is better)

16-17: 2.79xga60 (+1.7rel)
17-18: 2.80xga60 (+1.9rel)
18-19: 2.87xga60 (+2.3rel)
19-20: 2.35xga60 (-1.2rel)
20-21: 2.01xga60 (-0.8rel)
21-22: 1.96xga60 (-4.2rel)


Dominant offensively right out if the box, but mediocre defensively.

He has improved offensively pretty steadily, but has improved drastically on the defensive end, and has turned himself into one of the truly super elite two-way forces in hockey.

It's a shame his shooting percentage hasn't been there yet so far this year because it's obscuring the fact that he's performing at an insanely high level at both ends of the ice.

 

[Kingstonian1984]

There are a number of good guys on this team who would make great captains. We are very fortunate these days.

Very true man!

 

[HellasLEAF]

I don't know what the points look like but to me Matthews looks just as good if not better than last year.

 

[kb]

I don't know what the points look like but to me Matthews looks just as good if not better than last year.

More dominant in all 3 zones.

 

[Gary Nylund]

if ever there was a player to keep, this is the one. based on the past 40 years it might well be a frosty day in Hades before they get another chance to draft a player of that calibre.

True enough. The only way I would trade him is if the choice was to trade him, or he leaves as a UFA for nothing. He's the most talented player I've ever seen wear the Maple Leaf, I predicted years ago that he'd go down in history as the greatest Leaf of all time (yes, probably prematurely) and I dearly hope he retires a Leaf.

He still has another level to him but it's funny he's still on a 41 goal pace if he played 82 games which he won't obviously, despite not being himself. The criticism was strange because he has been great defensively all year. One of the guys I don't worry about on the team.

+1

The only worry about him would be is he injured, is his wrist OK and so on. Other than that, zero concerns about him, ever.

 

[34]

Matthews is about to go on a goal scoring frenzy.

 

[ACC1224]

Simmons weighs in on Matthews/Leafs season so far.

SIMMONS: Matthews' game is growing as red-hot Leafs dominate NHL | Toronto Sun

 

[Leafsfan74]

Matthews shaved his moustache for charity.

My advice, especially if he can grow a beard; go with the "Five O' Clock Shadow" look. Never goes out of style and all it takes is an adjustable level beard trimmer for both beard and moustache. Adjust to ones preference.

Life is easy with simple technology.

 

[francis246]

If Mathews signs an extension he will get a C eventually, but stripping JT of it is unwarranted and definitely would not be a positive sign.

I think JT would gladly give it up if asked. I don’t see JT being a guy that would stand in the way of Auston. JT is a leaf lifer though. He’s going to retire a leaf. Look at all the AD’s he’s in now in the city, Roots, Lululemon. He’s set for life.