C Auston Matthews - USNTDP, USHL (2016 Draft)

[Franck]

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

Because most 17-year olds aren't good enough to be impact players against men.

Rumours suggested that Tavares considered playing in Switzerland, it's really only talents at that level who would benefit from the experience and generate interest from clubs.

 

[SabresSharks]

Because most 17-year olds aren't good enough to be impact players against men.

Rumours suggested that Tavares considered playing in Switzerland, it's really only talents at that level who would benefit from the experience and generate interest from clubs.

Agreed. Which is why I specified "elite draft-year players".

 

[maplehawk]

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?

let's not forget that these kids are still....kids.

it's already very intimidating for a 17 year old kid to move away and play junior or college somewhere in NA, but to go overseas to a different continent and culture to play with a bunch of grown men without knowing anybody is on a whole different level.

 

[Paxon]

let's not forget that these kids are still....kids.

it's already very intimidating for a 17 year old kid to move away and play junior or college somewhere in NA, but to go overseas to a different continent and culture to play with a bunch of grown men without knowing anybody is on a whole different level.

That's true, though European players come over by the score every year. Not just the guys we know of as viable prospects by their draft seasons, many come over to play in Canadian and US juniors, NCAA, etc, as well as midgets. Some come over as young as 14. I believe Girgensons and Provorov were 15 and 14 when they came over, for example. That takes a lot of guts. Given the quality of options between the CHL, USNTDP, and NCAA, I can see why NA teens are less inclined to go that route. It really only makes sense for guys who can go over and play in a top-end mens league, as they can't do that here with the AHL.

 

[Voight]

let's not forget that these kids are still....kids.

it's already very intimidating for a 17 year old kid to move away and play junior or college somewhere in NA, but to go overseas to a different continent and culture to play with a bunch of grown men without knowing anybody is on a whole different level.

It does help in the case of Matthews that he'd have a fellow North American, Marc Crawford, as his coach/possibly someone to board with.

 

[scipio]

It does help in the case of Matthews that he'd have a fellow North American, Marc Crawford, as his coach/possibly someone to board with.

In addition to some North American players like Ryan Shannon, Dan Fritsche or Marc-André Bergeron...

 

[Number 57]

Matthews would also benefit from playing in the AHL right now, but he can't and there is no other option like the old IHL.

Actually that made me think about something. Is there something stopping Matthew from signing independantly with an AHL team and playing there next year ?

It would be great for his development for sure, and he wouldn't leave NA and he would be playing on a NA sized rink. The AHL is about on par with the NLA or SHL, maybe even better.

The only difference is the pay. Matthews will make way more in Switzerland. But being a budding NHL superstar, I can't imagine cashing in on an early 500k is that important for him... or is it ?

 

[WTFMAN99]

Actually that made me think about something. Is there something stopping Matthew from signing independantly with an AHL team and playing there next year ?

It would be great for his development for sure, and he wouldn't leave NA and he would be playing on a NA sized rink. The AHL is about on par with the NLA or SHL, maybe even better.

The only difference is the pay. Matthews will make way more in Switzerland. But being a budding NHL superstar, I can't imagine cashing in on an early 500k is that important for him... or is it ?

Playing in Switzerland would be a cool life experience for a young man.

The only thing is he's playing on larger ice and that could kind of screw him up when he goes back to the smaller ice surface, but it is minor.

 

[Franck]

Actually that made me think about something. Is there something stopping Matthew from signing independantly with an AHL team and playing there next year ?

It would be great for his development for sure, and he wouldn't leave NA and he would be playing on a NA sized rink. The AHL is about on par with the NLA or SHL, maybe even better.

The only difference is the pay. Matthews will make way more in Switzerland. But being a budding NHL superstar, I can't imagine cashing in on an early 500k is that important for him... or is it ?

Playing in Switzerland for 500k is almost certainly a more enjoyable experience than riding the bus in the AHL for 40k.

 

[Faustus]

Playing in Switzerland for 500k is almost certainly a more enjoyable experience than riding the bus in the AHL for 40k.

Is that really what we would make? Seems like a no-brainer to play there, if you can.

 

[edguy]

Actually that made me think about something. Is there something stopping Matthew from signing independantly with an AHL team and playing there next year ?

It would be great for his development for sure, and he wouldn't leave NA and he would be playing on a NA sized rink. The AHL is about on par with the NLA or SHL, maybe even better.

The only difference is the pay. Matthews will make way more in Switzerland. But being a budding NHL superstar, I can't imagine cashing in on an early 500k is that important for him... or is it ?

There's an age limit in the AHL isn't there?
As for the money, I'd say itd be a HUGE Difference for a 16/17 year old.. Kids especially are money hungry want as much money as soon as they can.. and in his case helps his development too!

Good on him for paving a different path to the NHL

 

[dsg89]

There's an age limit in the AHL isn't there?
As for the money, I'd say itd be a HUGE Difference for a 16/17 year old.. Kids especially are money hungry want as much money as soon as they can.. and in his case helps his development too!

Good on him for paving a different path to the NHL

"Per AHL By-Laws, the age limit for eligibility to compete in the American Hockey League is 18 years or over, on or before September 15 of each season of competition"

 

[TheZec]

Any update on this?

 

[scipio]

Any update on this?

Last thing I heard is that Matthews is expected to make a decision this week and that Peter Zahner (CEO of ZSC Lions) again confirmed their interest and the ongoing negotiations with Auston Matthews in an Interview with Eisbären Berlin (sorry German only). Zahner says that they hope that the deal will be signed in the next few days, however there is always a possibility that the conclusion of a contract is not succesfull.

 

[TheZec]

Last thing I heard is that Matthews is expected to make a decision this week and that Peter Zahner (CEO of ZSC Lions) again confirmed their interest and the ongoing negotiations with Auston Matthews in an Interview with Eisbären Berlin (sorry German only). Zahner says that they hope that the deal will be signed in the next few days, however there is always a possibility that the conclusion of a contract is not succesfull.

Thank you!

I must say I'm really excited about that. I think I would watch some ZSC games for sure (in Ambrì, of course!), it would be great to be able to see how a potential 1st overall pick could do against men.

 

[scipio]

Thank you!

I must say I'm really excited about that. I think I would watch some ZSC games for sure (in Ambrì, of course!), it would be great to be able to see how a potential 1st overall pick could do against men.

Maybe I should add again, that Zahner mentioned that nothing is signed, anything is possible...

But yeah, it would be pretty interesting to see how he can adopt to the European system and to the style of Crawfords team. I anyways would go to ZSC lions games, but Matthews definitively would add some additional excitement

 

[swissexpert]

Crawford is excited about coaching Matthews next year, it's definitely more than a rumour.

http://www.todaysslapshot.com/nhl-west/marc-crawford-on-learning-auston-matthews-and-analytics/

 

[InglewoodJack]

Elite Prospects has his nationality as dual American and Mexican. Does this mean he has dual citizenship, or is he just hispanic?

 

[Rebuilt]

Crawford is excited about coaching Matthews next year, it's definitely more than a rumour.

http://www.todaysslapshot.com/nhl-west/marc-crawford-on-learning-auston-matthews-and-analytics/

I clicked on it and it didnt show the article or interview

 

[swissexpert]

I clicked on it and it didnt show the article or interview

Works fine for me. Sry

Here's the interesting part:

ST: Rumours have swirled about the possibility of Auston Matthews playing in the NLA next season, possibly for your ZSC Lions. In your opinion, what are the advantages of playing internationally for a draft-eligible star like Matthews? Could a teenager succeed playing against men in the Swiss league?

MC: Auston Matthews is an outstanding young Hockey player and everyone involved with the ZSC Lions is so excited about seeing him play in Zurich.

There is no doubt that he can play and excell [sic] in the Swiss NLA and I believe it is the perfect training ground for young athletes. He will be coached by an NHL coach he will be challenged by playing against men in a fast skating, highly skilled league. He will learn what it is like to play the systems that will be utilized as he continues to rise up the hockey ranks.

He is a wonderful young man who wants to improve and we have an excellent record of development.

Ron Kenins developed with us and this year Jonas Sigenthaler and Denis Malgin both will get drafted because of our program.

 

[William H Bonney]

Elite Prospects has his nationality as dual American and Mexican. Does this mean he has dual citizenship, or is he just hispanic?

His mom is Mexican American.

 

[bottomofthefoodchain]

Elite Prospects has his nationality as dual American and Mexican. Does this mean he has dual citizenship, or is he just hispanic?

It just means he's from Arizona

 

[Bonin21]

Pretty sure his mom is 100% Mexican, so he is half.

 

[sturmthis]

Elite Prospects has his nationality as dual American and Mexican. Does this mean he has dual citizenship, or is he just hispanic?

Matthews, whose father hails from California and his mother from Hermosillo in northeastern Mexico, was born Sept. 17, 1997, just two days too late to be included in this year’s draft.

Auston Matthews leads a new wave of NHL stars

 

[Pascal85]

I had some talks to Zurich Lions Players over the weekend.... even if its still not official everyone at the team ist expecting that Matthews will play in Zurich the upcoming season.

We are pretty excited to have Matthews here, as well as Siegenthaler & Malgin who will make their way as well. Interesting will also be how Phil Baltisberger (Former Guelp Storm, OHL) will adapt to the Swiss League.