C Auston Matthews - USNTDP, USHL (2016 Draft)

[cagney]

There's been a lot of talk about how unprecedented it'd be for a young North American prospect to move over to Europe to play pro in their draft season but it actually happened fairly recently.

Henrik Samuelsson had played all of his hockey in the US growing up when he went to play in Sweden after a year at the USNTDP. He was in a situation where he had a built in support system with family there and familiarity with the culture and despite all that, he still struggled terribly and had to leave for the WHL mid-season to resurrect his draft stock.

Heading overseas, into a high pressure situation, is a major risk and it could have an adverse effect on a player's development. Add in the fact that the NLA has never shown itself to be a league capable of developing a high end draft pick and it's just baffling to imagine Matthews making this decision.

 

[snizzbone*]

There's been a lot of talk about how unprecedented it'd be for a young North American prospect to move over to Europe to play pro in their draft season but it actually happened fairly recently.

Henrik Samuelsson had played all of his hockey in the US growing up when he went to play in Sweden after a year at the USNTDP. He was in a situation where he had a built in support system with family there and familiarity with the culture and despite all that, he still struggled terribly and had to leave for the WHL mid-season to resurrect his draft stock.

Heading overseas, into a high pressure situation, is a major risk and it could have an adverse effect on a player's development. Add in the fact that the NLA has never shown itself to be a league capable of developing a high end draft pick and it's just baffling to imagine Matthews making this decision.

Matthews is a lot better than Samuelsson though.

 

[jacobhockey13]

Matthews is a lot better than Samuelsson though.

Not to mention Samuelson played in the SHL and Matthews would potentially be playing in the NLA.

 

[cagney]

Matthews is a lot better than Samuelsson though.

It doesn't change the fact that Samuelsson was falling off the draft map entirely and still manged to sneak into the first round after returning to North America. It'd be unlikely for Matthews to drop so precipitously but there could be significant issues if the transition doesn't go well.

Not to mention Samuelson played in the SHL and Matthews would potentially be playing in the NLA.

I'd prefer Matthews go to the SHL if the decision were between the two to be honest. At least the Swedes have a world class reputation for developing young players. The best young Swiss players pretty much all leave Switzerland...

 

[Andy Dufresne]

The best Swiss player ever spent his draft year in the NLA.

I'm not sure there's any real downside to this for Mathews. He's not gonna get ice time on a team in which featured Malgin regularly last year? I mean Malgin's a good young player but.... if Mathews was 2 days older he's playing in the NHL next year. No question about that in my mind at all.

Other than being a unique situation with him going overseas, it's not a big deal at all for guys his age to play in Euro men's leagues. Should Puljujarvi demand to play in Finnish junior next year because he'll look better than playing in the Liiga?

 

[Bps21*]

Is applaud any top prospect who takes a path other than junior hockey. Oh...you dominate the other kids everyone already thinks you are better than? Cool. Cool. Yawn. Cool.

 

[dsg89]

I'd prefer Matthews go to the SHL if the decision were between the two to be honest. At least the Swedes have a world class reputation for developing young players. The best young Swiss players pretty much all leave Switzerland...

I agree on some things you mentioned earlier in your post and also the fact that Sweden has the better development for young players. There are reasons why some Swiss players thought to have better chances playing in Sweden. But Zuerich is the best organization in the country when it comes to young player development, they are good structured and very professional. Plus they have Marc Crawford who is giving young players important minutes and is absolutely great in making each player 10% better

 

[Franck]

There's been a lot of talk about how unprecedented it'd be for a young North American prospect to move over to Europe to play pro in their draft season but it actually happened fairly recently.

Henrik Samuelsson had played all of his hockey in the US growing up when he went to play in Sweden after a year at the USNTDP. He was in a situation where he had a built in support system with family there and familiarity with the culture and despite all that, he still struggled terribly and had to leave for the WHL mid-season to resurrect his draft stock.

Heading overseas, into a high pressure situation, is a major risk and it could have an adverse effect on a player's development. Add in the fact that the NLA has never shown itself to be a league capable of developing a high end draft pick and it's just baffling to imagine Matthews making this decision.

Samuelsson struggled because his playing style wasn't a fit for the European game.

 

[wings5]

Samuelsson struggled because his playing style wasn't a fit for the European game.

This.

 

[wej20]

Hope he does go to Switzerland, will definitely be interesting to see how it pans out.

 

[Hockey7492]

I have just been told, Auston Matthews is going to give an interview on radio at The Pipeline Show.
It will be from Edmonton at 7 pm PDT.
I don't know anything else. Maybe he is going to announce where he will play.

I also got the link:
http://player.tsn1260.ca/

 

[hototogisu]

I have just been told, Auston Matthews is going to give an interview on radio at The Pipeline Show.
It will be from Edmonton at 7 pm PDT.
I don't know anything else. Maybe he is going to announce where he will play.

I also got the link:
http://player.tsn1260.ca/

Doesn't look like it at the moment. FYI:

Guy Flaming @TPS_Guy · 15m 15 minutes ago
In light of the last couple of days, our pre-booked interview with Auston Matthews for tonight is on hold. Still working on it. @DuckMillard

Guy Flaming @TPS_Guy · 11m 11 minutes ago
We have reached out to Pat Brisson to try and work something out. I will update when I get news. @DuckMillard @TSN1260

 

[Shrimper]

 

[Paxon]

It doesn't change the fact that Samuelsson was falling off the draft map entirely and still manged to sneak into the first round after returning to North America. It'd be unlikely for Matthews to drop so precipitously but there could be significant issues if the transition doesn't go well.

While that's true, Smuelsson was half the talent Mathews is. Mathews has the skating, hands, and vision to be able to play anywhere. He's shown that in international tournaments. There's definitely risk, but it's not like there will be a significant language barrier for him to deal with or anything like that.

I'd prefer Matthews go to the SHL if the decision were between the two to be honest. At least the Swedes have a world class reputation for developing young players. The best young Swiss players pretty much all leave Switzerland...

While that is all very true, I don't feel it applies here. Note how many of the best veteran Swedes leave for the KHL or NLA. Mathews isn't looking to be developed through a youth system. If he were, Sweden would make a lot more sense than Switzerland. If he's going over there it's to play in a top league against men, in which case the NLA is generally seen as better these days.

 

[Voight]

In regard to Matthews, he could choose to play on a team with Kyle Connor and Zach Werenski next season. Or, he could choose to play on a team with Nick/Jordan Schmaltz and Brock Boeser. Or, he could play on a team with Alex Tuch, Colin White, Michael Matheson, Noah Hanafin, Thatcher Demko, and Ian McCoshan. What I'm saying is, feel free to express your opinion that this year's BU squad a bunch of scrubs plus Eichel, but don't tell me that Matthews would be surrounded by scrubs if he went the NCAA route. He most certainly would not. The talent depth on the top NCAA rosters is far superior to the talent of top CHL teams BECAUSE stars like Matthews get to CHOOSE where to play.

Thing is, those guys could go pro and he'd be left with a **** team. Thats why its hard to commit to a college.

 

[Voight]

Samuelsson struggled because his playing style wasn't a fit for the European game.

Yup, mainly because he grew up playing North American style hockey for 16/17 years of his life.

Plus, while Ulf wasn't with PHX when he was drafted I'm sure it helped him that they likely knew him from when he was a kid.

 

[Duke16]

I think Europe would be good for Matthews: good exerience, different culture and pro level hockey. I definetly think he should play in the Swedish league instead of the Swiss League if he wants a higher level of competition.

 

[Mitchy]

He'll look nice in a Leafs jersey.

 

[toomuchsauce]

Only thing I worry about with Matthews is the fact that he's bad. It may hinder him from future NHL success, despite his USA Hockey pedigree. He's like Kessel if Kessel was slow and couldn't snipe.

 

[toomuchsauce]

Only thing I worry about with Matthews is the fact that he's bad. It may hinder him from future NHL success, despite his USA Hockey pedigree. He's like Kessel if Kessel was slow and couldn't snipe.

Only half-kidding, actually, fwiw.

 

[wings5]

I think Europe would be good for Matthews: good exerience, different culture and pro level hockey. I definetly think he should play in the Swedish league instead of the Swiss League if he wants a higher level of competition.

Many people don't even know the quality of the Swiss league, the NLA is one of the top leagues in Europe, likely equal to SHL at least.

 

[SI90]

I like it. Kids got balls. Plays against men, in a new country, and in his draft year. It's a risk but he's betting on himself. I respect the hell out of that.

 

[scipio]

There is an interesting article in NZZ, a reliable newspaper from Zurich (sorry, in german only).

In short the journalist states that nothing is signed yet. However "nobody" seems to doubt that Matthews will join ZSC for one year. The CEO of the club, Peter Zahner, confirmed the interest in Matthews last sunday and he is quoted that negotiations are "in progress" but nothing is signed. The journalist mentions that Matthews and ZSC have been put in contact by Dough Honegger and the hockey agency CAA and that there was a first "meeting" during the U18 world cup in Zug. Apparently Matthew will move with his mother to Zurich, while his father and sisters will stay in the USA.

Let's see how this develops, I would be really excited if Matthews would join "my" team

 

[VictorLustig]

Many people don't even know the quality of the Swiss league, the NLA is one of the top leagues in Europe, likely equal to SHL at least.

The top players in that league are on par with the top players in the SHL, or even better. SHL teams have much deeper rosters though which makes that league better.

 

[SabresSharks]

Have to give Matthews and his family credit for even considering something other than the NCAA or CHL. It makes so much sense that I'm puzzled why it hasn't happened before.

Why haven't other elite draft-year players considered this? Why haven't more European teams tried to recruit them?