C Auston Matthews - USNTDP, USHL (2016 Draft)

[Snowsii]

The highlights don't do him justice. Matthews tore apart Russia but Samsonov was brilliant.

I guess his two goals against a Czech team that Canada had trouble with mean nothing too.

Ugh.. Maybe you should check my earlier post.

And still im not here to mock him or anything. Saying that he dominates much more than everyone else in this tournament catched my ear.

And Czechs team have had good games and bad games. (Like 6-1 loss to Finland)

 

[dsg89]

I have seen almost all the teams at least once and have to say next to Barzal he is the one that stood out the most. He dominated nearly 90% of his shifts and always created scoring chances. I am VERY impressed by this kid and his performance so far at the u18

 

[H3ckt1k]

I have seen almost all the teams at least once and have to say next to Barzal he is the one that stood out the most. He dominated nearly 90% of his shifts and always created scoring chances. I am VERY impressed by this kid and his performance so far at the u18

I watched the game against sweden, I swear it seemed like every other minute he was creating a scoring chance

 

[Sid82]

i know he's a totally different type of player than eichel, but who's the better prospect?

 

[hockeey]

i know he's a totally different type of player than eichel, but who's the better prospect?

I think Eichel's speed will help him dominate more in the NHL. Matthews has better hands but Eichel can flat out out-skate everyone and the times he can't he's got long reach to protect the puck.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Sounds like he and Barzal have been the two best forwards at the tournament. I've only seen highlights of the this years tournament, but hearing that he is dominating with his skill set is unsurprising to say the least. The guy has Kane-like hands and vision, with the size and shot to boot. He'll need to continue to improve his skating, as I'm sure he will, but he's closing in on Tavares / Stamkos status in terms of their prospect value.

Excited to see him shred the dub next season.

 

[AD1066]

2 goals so far against CAN.

2nd coming off of a nice play by Roslovic.

 

[Alberta tough]

Easy choice for first overall next year. When you are that much of a standout on NTDP its a no brainer.

 

[Snowsii]

Easy choice for first overall next year. When you are that much of a standout on NTDP its a no brainer.

Have to say, that as now; He's going no1, no challenge right now.. Let's hope Puljujärvi and Laine can give some challenge @ next U-20.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Pretty okay at hockey IMO.

 

[ZeroPT*]

Pretty okay at hockey IMO.

you should be proud of yourself! You had this guy touted as a #1 before anyone else I saw.

Go jux go

 

[CaseyMitts37]

The future of USA hockey is looking bright

 

[Juxtaposer]

you should be proud of yourself! You had this guy touted as a #1 before anyone else I saw.

Go jux go

That I did!

 

[BoDacious Horvat]

That I did!

Joining in the praise for Jux, awesome find buddy. Tire pumping is looking totally validated aha.

 

[Oan]

Easy choice for first overall next year. When you are that much of a standout on NTDP its a no brainer.

Puljujarvi still has something to say about that first overall.

 

[Snowsii]

Puljujarvi still has something to say about that first overall.

and/or Laine, if he keeps developing without any major setbacks.

 

[ZeroPT*]

and/or Laine, if he keeps developing without any major setbacks.

we may be getting side tracked, but as impressed as I have been with the U18 performance he's put through, I still think Puju and Matthews along with Chychurn are a level above that. The 3 of those I think have an opportunity to be fantastic players at the next level. Laine? I still want to see more.

 

[TheFinnishTrap]

we may be getting side tracked, but as impressed as I have been with the U18 performance he's put through, I still think Puju and Matthews along with Chychurn are a level above that. The 3 of those I think have an opportunity to be fantastic players at the next level. Laine? I still want to see more.

Laine has shown that he can match the other top guys, but he just has to be more consistent and keep developing his weaknesses. As seen in this tournament, he has tremendous potential and can absolutely dominate at will.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

This kid is NHL ready now, he is a phenom.

 

[1972]

This kid is NHL ready now, he is a phenom.

Yes, it's pretty obvious he's outgrown this level and could play in the NHL right now, while I don't think he is quite at the McDavid/Eichel level he is one of the best prospects to come out in the last 10 years. Easy #1 pick next year.

 

[Oan]

Easy #1 pick next year.

No he isn't. Just because you don't get to see European prospects like Puljujarvi doesn't mean that they can't compete for that first overall.

 

[1972]

No he isn't. Just because you don't get to see European prospects like Puljujarvi doesn't mean that they can't compete for that first overall.

Puljujarvi is on the same ice surface, has played in the world juniors, he's had plenty of NA exposure. He isn't a phenom like Mathews is, he is a blue chip prospect.

 

[Oan]

Puljujarvi is on the same ice surface, has played in the world juniors, he's had plenty of NA exposure. He isn't a phenom like Mathews is, he is a blue chip prospect.

A lot can happen in a year.

 

[Shwaguy*]

Does he remind anyone else of Malkin?

I could see him being a bit better than Eichel.


McDavid, Matthews, and Eichel this generations Crosby, Malkin, Toews. But hopefully Matthews doesn't end up on the Oilers too

 

[Konk]

No he isn't. Just because you don't get to see European prospects like Puljujarvi doesn't mean that they can't compete for that first overall.

At this point in time, he is, and to deny it is going against all of the experts who also put him at #1.

You are correct in that a lot can change in a year, but this season up to now, Matthews has held on to the #1 spot pretty firmly and in my opinion, Chychrun is behind him before Puljujärvi or anyone else. I'd put Puljujärvi at the top of the next group, with Day, Steel, Brown, Jones, Benson, and Tkachuk. I haven't seen them all enough to give a proper order, but I think Matthews is a tier above and Chychrun is also above that group. I could see them going 1 and 2 in the draft.