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

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His puck handling skills are the difference maker for me. As far as physical attributes, I put the most importance on puck handling skills. And his puck handling skills are second to none in his draft class.
I think that's the most surprising thing I, and I think a lot of other people are seeing from Matthews during this initial viewings of his game over the last few months.
Everyone probably has an idea about his size and skating ability and shot before they watch him play. But his puck handling skills are really eye opening.
 
McDavid Matthews and Scheifele are going to eat Finland alive.

What a scary line to match up against. Scheifele is such a beast too
 
That first line will be a killer for NA.

I just hope the rest of the team doesn't get dummied by Finland, who knows how to play a structured team game.
 
The Murse said:
That first line will be a killer for NA.

I just hope the rest of the team doesn't get dummied by Finland, who knows how to play a structured team game.
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McLellan's coaching so far has been almost Carlylesque. IMO, the weakest point for this team. They should have given head coaching duties to Jon Cooper.
 
Howboutthempanthers said:
His puck handling skills are the difference maker for me. As far as physical attributes, I put the most importance on puck handling skills. And his puck handling skills are second to none in his draft class.
I think that's the most surprising thing I, and I think a lot of other people are seeing from Matthews during this initial viewings of his game over the last few months.
Everyone probably has an idea about his size and skating ability and shot before they watch him play. But his puck handling skills are really eye opening.
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Yeah, I honestly think that while his speed and IQ arent at his level, his puck control and stick handling are at McDavid level for sure. The puck just sticks to him.
 
BWDude said:
Yeah, I honestly think that while his speed and IQ arent at his level, his puck control and stick handling are at McDavid level for sure. The puck just sticks to him.
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I think their IQs are comparable. McDavid is more prone to make the high risk/high reward creative play, where as Matthews has a knack for making the optimal play at an absurdly high rate for his age. They think the game very differently, but both at a very high level. McDavid's method has a huge payoff when it works, whereas Matthews will almost never turn the puck over, and is consistently putting his team in an advantageous position. Coaches traditionally prefer the latter, but McDavid is so damn good, and does it at such a high speed, that the risk is essentially negated

Edit: for the record I think McDavid is the more skilled player and will put up better numbers, but the difference maker for him is definitely the speed that he plays the game at.
 
Donmega said:
Finland is doomed, McDavid and Matthews the 2 generational players will obliterate them.
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Going to hopefully fun game to watch. But im not really worried about that line.. They are most of time facing either Koivu's or Filppulas line.
 
I hate when they obtilerate us with a couple of star players. If they don't score immediately their coach is just gonna keep throwing them at us, and then in the last five minutes they will be on the ice all the time and then there will be six of them and...
 
Lempo said:
I hate when they obtilerate us with a couple of star players. If they don't score immediately their coach is just gonna keep throwing them at us, and then in the last five minutes they will be on the ice all the time and then there will be six of them and...
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You lost?
The Laine temple of worship is a few posts down lol
 
Brock Radunske said:
You lost?
The Laine temple of worship is a few posts down lol
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Actually I think it's about 5000 posts up. But my actual point was that if it should happen that Finland would manage to frustrate Team NA into a goalless tie game, I wonder if the NA coach will react by playing the McDavid line (and thus, Matthews) more. There's the back-to-back game with Russia awaiting on Monday. It will be quite a baptism of fire for him to NHL 1st line level if the Finland game should prove to be a tough one. On top of everything, Komarov will be on that other team. ;)

Not that I wouldn't expect him to manage just fine, but easing it up to the level of the game on NHL on third line it ain't.
 
91Stammer said:
I am thoroughly impressed with Matthews' performance so far. I didn't think he would look this good, very excited for the upcoming season.
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93LEAFS said:
Yeah, even being a very big fan of Matthews prior to the draft I'm shocked he has managed his way up to the top-line to start the tourny. I knew he was a smart player, but I have been wowed by his IQ and ability to adapt and quickly find chemistry with people. This is a very promising trait going forward. I'd add, with all the comparisons to Toews and Kopitar, I think he has shocked some people with his moves. People see his size and just don't expect the finesse element. Still can't believe the Leafs won the lottery.
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Yup. I was a huge fan but I guess the limited highlights weren't enough to see how good he actually is.

I can't believe how amazing g his stick handling and elusiveness is.
I actually won't be surprised if he is our best player half way through the season
 
Gavy said:
Yup. I was a huge fan but I guess the limited highlights weren't enough to see how good he actually is.

I can't believe how amazing g his stick handling and elusiveness is.
I actually won't be surprised if he is our best player half way through the season
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Halfway through the first game more like it.
 
I can kinda see matthews being off today because the crowd will go wild every time he touches the puck. Guess we'll see if he's ready for the Toronto crowd and can handle all eyes on him
 
Donmega said:
I can kinda see matthews being off today because the crowd will go wild every time he touches the puck. Guess we'll see if he's ready for the Toronto crowd and can handle all eyes on him
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That might happen. Might give him a little boost too, could go either way. Or, and this seems more in-line with what's been said of his personality, it might not affect him at all. Everything seems to point to him being a pretty even-keeled person in dealing with expectations so hopefully that's the case. Can't wait to see the result though.
 
Donmega said:
I can kinda see matthews being off today because the crowd will go wild every time he touches the puck. Guess we'll see if he's ready for the Toronto crowd and can handle all eyes on him
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He seems pretty unfazed by the attention and hoopla.
 
scan15 said:
He seems pretty unfazed by the attention and hoopla.
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I wouldnt bet on it, that all this affects him.. Every source is, saying that Matthews is "feets on the ground" type of guy.. And there's couple of guys in NA23, who know something handling media pressure..
 
Anyone see Elliot Friedmans reaction to the puck skills Matthews was displaying in warm up? Pretty hilarious

What a ridiculous set of hands. WOW
 
The Murse said:
Matthews looking ridiculously comfortable. Sets up the first goal for Team North America.
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Two periods to go, but in the head-to-head matchup he's definitely showing why he was the BPA in 2016 and it had nothing to do with C vs W :)
 

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