C Auston Matthews (2016, 1st, TOR) VII

[snipes]

IMHO I'd attribute some of it to having a bit of extra jump in his step now, after some time off, most of us viewed him at the end of a long season.

That could be it too, fresher legs. But I don't know, there is a noticeable improvement in his stride and acceleration. Could be a bit of both working on it this summer and fresher legs.

 

[TDK67]

IMHO I'd attribute some of it to having a bit of extra jump in his step now, after some time off, most of us viewed him at the end of a long season.

This. I think he's been a bit more energized to prove he belongs on the NA roster. Not to say he can't be this fast normally, but it's definitely a step up from his WHC performance and idk how much is due to a different circumstance and how much is due to offseason training.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

I don't say this to be offensive, but it would've been a fascinating story had Matthews gone to Winnipeg. Winnipeg loses its team to Phoenix, then the Coyotes helped inspire Arizona-raised Matthews to play hockey, and then ends up playing for a reincarnate team in Winnipeg.

In other words, Matthews the hockey player would never have existed if Winnipeg didn't "sacrifice" their team in the first place. The fruits of that loss is then resurrected back to Winnipeg. It sounds religious, in a way.

Nevertheless, it's nothing more than a cool story. Laine is an outstanding player in his own right.

You want something religious? Look up Matthew 20:16

 

[The Beyonder]

You want something religious? Look up Matthew 20:16

Matthew 20:16: So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

 

[91Stammer*]

Mostly off topic but he sooooo should have been a Coyote.

Well we weren't blessed with McDavid so it's kind of a debt NHL owed us. McDavid should have been a Leaf, poor guy stuck in a disaster.

 

[93LEAFS]

With people looking at his move during the exhibition game, I thought I'd bring this quote from Don Granato to attention, i found it interesting.

"Auston can do some Pele-type things. It’s all improv. There’s nothing predetermined when he goes into a situation in that regard. He uses all body parts."

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/06/25/breaking-down-matthews-vs-eichel-piece-by-piece

I feel the way everyone talks about how pro-ready game he is and his comparison to guys with very effective but reserved games (Kopitar and Toews particularly) people don't realize how much flair he has to his game. The moves in tight spaces constantly amaze me, the subtle fakes and quick turns along the boards are unreal. People should realize his personal coach is the same guy who works heavily with P. Kane and Tavares.

 

[snipes]

With people looking at his move during the exhibition game, I thought I'd bring this quote from Don Granato to attention, i found it interesting.

"Auston can do some Pele-type things. It’s all improv. There’s nothing predetermined when he goes into a situation in that regard. He uses all body parts."

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/06/25/breaking-down-matthews-vs-eichel-piece-by-piece

I feel the way everyone talks about how pro-ready game he is and his comparison to guys with very effective but reserved games (Kopitar and Toews particularly) people don't realize how much flair he has to his game. The moves in tight spaces constantly amaze me, the subtle fakes and quick turns along the boards are unreal. People should realize his personal coach is the same guy who works heavily with P. Kane and Tavares.

I've said it a couple times before, I think Kopitar is probably the closest comparable Matthews has if he reaches his potential.

He's definitely pro ready and plays a mature game beyond his years.

 

[TDK67]

With people looking at his move during the exhibition game, I thought I'd bring this quote from Don Granato to attention, i found it interesting.

"Auston can do some Pele-type things. It’s all improv. There’s nothing predetermined when he goes into a situation in that regard. He uses all body parts."

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/06/25/breaking-down-matthews-vs-eichel-piece-by-piece

I feel the way everyone talks about how pro-ready game he is and his comparison to guys with very effective but reserved games (Kopitar and Toews particularly) people don't realize how much flair he has to his game. The moves in tight spaces constantly amaze me, the subtle fakes and quick turns along the boards are unreal. People should realize his personal coach is the same guy who works heavily with P. Kane and Tavares.

Yep. I have no idea how the myth about him not being "flashy" started. So far he's been as flashy as Gaudreau in these 2 exhibition games which says something. Furthermore he's displaying his slick handles several times a game so it's not like some kind of one-off moment of flashiness, which makes me think he might end up on a lot more highlight reels than Eichel or Laine (two players most people cite as being flashier than Matthews).

 

[93LEAFS]

I've said it a couple times before, I think Kopitar is probably the closest comparable Matthews has if he reaches his potential.

He's definitely pro ready and plays a mature game beyond his years.

He has some Kopitar in his game, but I think Kopitar is a very direct player (which Matthews does have in his tool box), but I do think Matthews has a fair amount more flair to his game. Guys with his agility combined with his puck control at 6'2 216 is very rare. I'd add, he seems to be more of a goal scorer than Kopitar. Now, if he can get a defensive game 90% of Kopitar I'll be ecstatic, he has the tools to, but putting it all togeather is another story. Pretty sure Crawford was quoted as seeing a lot of different people but he like the Kopitar comparison but said Matthews has more offensive ability, but had a fair way to go to approach Kopitar's defensive ability.

I personally see a lot of Crosby in his game in regards to puck control in tight spaces and lower body strength, but not the same vision and passing. Like most elite prospects, his game has a bunch of comparables for certain traits but isn't a clone of anyone. It is like how McDavid has a lot of Bure in his game but clearly other influences such as P. Kane but with the ability to play center, or how Eichel has a very undefinable game (while clearly being elite).

In regards to Matthews, I've seen a bunch of comparisons from guys throughout the hockey community. Off the top of my head, here are the ones I remember.

"Better Skating John Tavares"-Benning on a radio program

Benn, Kopitar and Sakic by Crawford

Kopitar and Toews-many places, but particularly Button

Ryan Getzlaf by Schiefele post-WC

 

[BayStreetBully]

You want something religious? Look up Matthew 20:16

It's a prophecy. I love it.

 

[snipes]

He has some Kopitar in his game, but I think Kopitar is a very direct player (which Matthews does have in his tool box), but I do think Matthews has a fair amount more flair to his game. Guys with his agility combined with his puck control at 6'2 216 is very rare. I'd add, he seems to be more of a goal scorer than Kopitar. Now, if he can get a defensive game 90% of Kopitar I'll be ecstatic, he has the tools to, but putting it all togeather is another story. Pretty sure Crawford was quoted as seeing a lot of different people but he like the Kopitar comparison but said Matthews has more offensive ability, but had a fair way to go to approach Kopitar's defensive ability.

I personally see a lot of Crosby in his game in regards to puck control in tight spaces and lower body strength, but not the same vision and passing. Like most elite prospects, his game has a bunch of comparables for certain traits but isn't a clone of anyone. It is like how McDavid has a lot of Bure in his game but clearly other influences such as P. Kane but with the ability to play center, or how Eichel has a very undefinable game (while clearly being elite).

In regards to Matthews, I've seen a bunch of comparisons from guys throughout the hockey community. Off the top of my head, here are the ones I remember.

"Better Skating John Tavares"-Benning on a radio program

Benn, Kopitar and Sakic by Crawford

Kopitar and Toews-many places, but particularly Button

Ryan Getzlaf by Schiefele post-WC

Good analysis.

 

[DopeyFish]

After that move at the WC against the Czechs where he deflected a pass upwards, hit it in mid air over a defender, skated around said defender and then hit it out of midair again to settle it down and continue his rush... i can safely claim I am not sure what his true ceiling is.

He does stuff almost every game that makes me drop my jaw. Players usually don't consistently wow you like that. Even the best players don't do amazing things every game. Or every other, for that matter.

He's kind of a paradoxical player. He has a mature defensive game. He has a great wrister. He has crazy good dangles. He has obscene hand-eye coordination. Yet... his talent still seems so raw.

He's huge, but has an underdeveloped upper body. Because of that, he's got room to grow in his physical game.

He's got scary high potential.

 

[mobizziness]

He has some Kopitar in his game, but I think Kopitar is a very direct player (which Matthews does have in his tool box), but I do think Matthews has a fair amount more flair to his game. Guys with his agility combined with his puck control at 6'2 216 is very rare. I'd add, he seems to be more of a goal scorer than Kopitar. Now, if he can get a defensive game 90% of Kopitar I'll be ecstatic, he has the tools to, but putting it all togeather is another story. Pretty sure Crawford was quoted as seeing a lot of different people but he like the Kopitar comparison but said Matthews has more offensive ability, but had a fair way to go to approach Kopitar's defensive ability.

I personally see a lot of Crosby in his game in regards to puck control in tight spaces and lower body strength, but not the same vision and passing. Like most elite prospects, his game has a bunch of comparables for certain traits but isn't a clone of anyone. It is like how McDavid has a lot of Bure in his game but clearly other influences such as P. Kane but with the ability to play center, or how Eichel has a very undefinable game (while clearly being elite).

In regards to Matthews, I've seen a bunch of comparisons from guys throughout the hockey community. Off the top of my head, here are the ones I remember.

"Better Skating John Tavares"-Benning on a radio program

Benn, Kopitar and Sakic by Crawford

Kopitar and Toews-many places, but particularly Button

Ryan Getzlaf by Schiefele post-WC

no idea where the kopitar comparison are coming from, matthews is a better skater, projects to be far more dynamic than kopitar and outside of good poke checking is not anywhere near kopitar's defensive level yet.

i'd say matthews closest comparable in the NHL right now is Malkin by far.

 

[The Thin White Duke]

no idea where the kopitar comparison are coming from, matthews is a better skater, projects to be far more dynamic than kopitar and outside of good poke checking is not anywhere near kopitar's defensive level yet.

i'd say matthews closest comparable in the NHL right now is Malkin by far.

Malkin with more of a grinding mentality on the boards in the offensive zone instead of the sweeping end-to-end rushes is what I see. Even if his defensive game sucked, you wouldn't notice it that often because of how little he'll actually have to play defense when he settles in to his frame.

 

[docbenton]

Really impressed by his speed, puckhandling and shiftiness for a big guy. You can tell he really worked on the skating. The off the boards pass to himself he seems to have patented. Not a fan of his hockey sense though especially reading the play while having the puck. Watching both team NA games, he can't seem to complete many passes and gets the blinders a little bit. He's going to be more of a goal scorer than a playmaker at the next level

 

[mobizziness]

Malkin with more of a grinding mentality on the boards in the offensive zone instead of the sweeping end-to-end rushes is what I see. Even if his defensive game sucked, you wouldn't notice it that often because of how little he'll actually have to play defense when he settles in to his frame.

Give me one example of matthews grinding for the puck in the offensive zone...? I haven't seen that at all.

He's a player that will repeatedly stick check and use his great hand eye coordination to steal pucks and get in passing lanes but he does not play very physically without the puck from what I've seen.

With the puck he uses his size to battle defenders somewhat frequently, often after picking up speed.

Auston Matthews more often than not uses his fantastic stickhandling, vision and creativity to generate good scoring opportunities, generating space for his linemates. His extremely common tactic of passing to himself off the boards behind the net and cutting the other way to evade defenders has looked like a well executed tactic. His offensive toolkit so far from what I've seen has looked quite promising.

One of his best assets imo is his ridiculous control on the backhand which is very useful in puck control / deking, coupled by his very oft used backhand saucer pass, frequently in all stride.

His possession game and passing can often be quite sloppy though. That seems at times though, to be due to his frequent attempts at very technical passes and plays. Who knows so far though, he has such a small sample size of notable games played, I've only watched his two WCOH exhibition games / IIHF world championships / U20 World Juniors matches and am looking forward to the rest of WCOH games and tournament.

 

[Mr Hockey*]

Really impressed by his speed, puckhandling and shiftiness for a big guy. You can tell he really worked on the skating. The off the boards pass to himself he seems to have patented. Not a fan of his hockey sense though especially reading the play while having the puck. Watching both team NA games, he can't seem to complete many passes and gets the blinders a little bit. He's going to be more of a goal scorer than a playmaker at the next level

He is considered to be a scoring center, he will hog the puck a bit and shoot rather then pass Nylander is also a scoring center but also an elite passer.

 

[Plub]

Really impressed by his speed, puckhandling and shiftiness for a big guy. You can tell he really worked on the skating. The off the boards pass to himself he seems to have patented. Not a fan of his hockey sense though especially reading the play while having the puck. Watching both team NA games, he can't seem to complete many passes and gets the blinders a little bit. He's going to be more of a goal scorer than a playmaker at the next level

That's a fair knock on him, but something that I think can be coached.

 

[Nizdizzle]

He is considered to be a scoring center, he will hog the puck a bit and shoot rather then pass Nylander is also a scoring center but also an elite passer.

Should work out marvelously with Marner on his wing (in the future).

 

[Eternal Leaf]

there is so much hot air and tire pumping on this thread

he is just "great" against pillow soft europe team...)

0 points in nhl...proved nothing

Every single player on Team Europe is an NHLer.

 

[Rexor]

I also find Matthews skating looks improved so far from the last time I seen him (not that it was bad prior). He's been very impressive, Leaf fans should be very happy to have him. I know our Oilers coach thinks highly of him and is showing lots of trust in him, I believe he was playing one of the D points on the PP last game.

Does anyone know if he's been focusing on his skating this offseason? His acceleration looks better to me, anyone else notice this too?

Everyone looks faster on small ice.

 

[Atomos2]

Should work out marvelously with Marner on his wing (in the future).

Yep. Marner can work really well with scoring centres like the one he played with in London.

 

[REALTALK81]

Should work out marvelously with Marner on his wing (in the future).

That's who I see him with. Marner is a offensive dymano with an active stick as well on the D side. Now if only Benn would come over my dream line would be complete muahahahaah.

 

[Sundinisagod]

He has some Kopitar in his game, but I think Kopitar is a very direct player (which Matthews does have in his tool box), but I do think Matthews has a fair amount more flair to his game. Guys with his agility combined with his puck control at 6'2 216 is very rare. I'd add, he seems to be more of a goal scorer than Kopitar. Now, if he can get a defensive game 90% of Kopitar I'll be ecstatic, he has the tools to, but putting it all togeather is another story. Pretty sure Crawford was quoted as seeing a lot of different people but he like the Kopitar comparison but said Matthews has more offensive ability, but had a fair way to go to approach Kopitar's defensive ability.

I personally see a lot of Crosby in his game in regards to puck control in tight spaces and lower body strength, but not the same vision and passing. Like most elite prospects, his game has a bunch of comparables for certain traits but isn't a clone of anyone. It is like how McDavid has a lot of Bure in his game but clearly other influences such as P. Kane but with the ability to play center, or how Eichel has a very undefinable game (while clearly being elite).

In regards to Matthews, I've seen a bunch of comparisons from guys throughout the hockey community. Off the top of my head, here are the ones I remember.

"Better Skating John Tavares"-Benning on a radio program

Benn, Kopitar and Sakic by Crawford

Kopitar and Toews-many places, but particularly Button

Ryan Getzlaf by Schiefele post-WC

Button has also compared him to Peter Forsberg.

Personally I see a cross of Sundin and Sakic.

 

[one77]

Yeah I see a Malkin/Sakic/Forsberg hybrid in Matthews. His potential cannot be determined yet, he's too good to be given a ceiling right now.