C Auston Matthews - ZSC Lions, NLA (2016 Draft) II

[DraberlyakMcHallkins*]

They're quite close in terms of talent, but Matthews is probably a bit better. Patrick is a great player and IMO the frontrunner for 1st overall pick in 2017, but Matthews and Eichel, at this moment in time, are the best American forward prospects since Mike Modano.

Patrick looks like a decent, if average, potential 1st overall pick, like a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or a Sam Reinhart. Matthews looks like an excellent potential 1st overall pick like a MacKinnon or a Tavares.

That being said, if Patrick becomes a two-way threat and puts up 100+ points in the WHL this year, he'll have decreased the gap tremendously. If he breaks 120, combined with the two-way play, then it'd be hard not to say they're close to equal.

Patrick in his draft-2 season was less impressive (though still quite impressive in the context of his age and role) than Matthews was in his draft-2 season.

why is Mackinnon considered an excellent 1st overall pick already?

Rookie year PPG
Mackinnon: 0.77
RNH: 0.84

Sophomore year PPG
Mackinnon: 0.59
RNH: 0.6

I'd get personal opinion, thinking he'll explode this year. Just not sure why he gets the Tavares/Stamkos title without having exploded, just yet.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

why is Mackinnon considered an excellent 1st overall pick already?

Rookie year PPG
Mackinnon: 0.77
RNH: 0.84

Sophomore year PPG
Mackinnon: 0.59
RNH: 0.6

I'd get personal opinion, thinking he'll explode this year. Just not sure why he gets the Tavares/Stamkos title without having exploded, just yet.

The handful of playoff games that Mackinnon played apparently caused him to become extremely overrated. He really hasn't proven all that much to be considered with such high regard.

 

[Rebuilt]

why is Mackinnon considered an excellent 1st overall pick already?

Rookie year PPG
Mackinnon: 0.77
RNH: 0.84

Sophomore year PPG
Mackinnon: 0.59
RNH: 0.6

I'd get personal opinion, thinking he'll explode this year. Just not sure why he gets the Tavares/Stamkos title without having exploded, just yet.

I have very high hopes for Mc David but from what I saw in his first game he looks further behind the curve than I thought he was. He looked a little like a deer in the headlights because of the pace.

He was still dangerous in spite of being somewhat confused and tentative. I cant gauge how long its going to take him to understand the NHL game. Whether its 20 games or 40 . It took Stamkos his entire rookie year.

My bet would have been 20 games but now I am not so sure. Its only one game so we shall see

 

[LetsGoIslanders]

You've got it wrong. This decision isn't about money. It's about quality of competition.

You're 100% wrong. This is all about money. His agent and his parents can profit off him from day one.

He earns $0 in the USHL and maybe $100 a week in the CHL.

I actually feel bad for the kid. He doesn't know what is going on. He couldn't pick out Switzerland on a map if you spotted him Italy, France, and Germany. They are setting him up for failure -- perhaps not in hockey, but life itself.

 

[The Dayvan Cowboy]

You're 100% wrong. This is all about money. His agent and his parents can profit off him from day one.

He earns $0 in the USHL and maybe $100 a week in the CHL.

I actually feel bad for the kid. He doesn't know what is going on. He couldn't pick out Switzerland on a map if you spotted him Italy, France, and Germany. They are setting him up for failure -- perhaps not in hockey, but life itself.

This is a very presumptuous post with a lot of unfounded condescension.

 

[cleveland408]

You're 100% wrong. This is all about money. His agent and his parents can profit off him from day one.

He earns $0 in the USHL and maybe $100 a week in the CHL.

I actually feel bad for the kid. He doesn't know what is going on. He couldn't pick out Switzerland on a map if you spotted him Italy, France, and Germany. They are setting him up for failure -- perhaps not in hockey, but life itself.

There is so much that is wrong with this post I don't even know how to reply...

 

[cookie]

Matthews is a special case. He comes from a non-traditional market and started the game a bit later than most of his peers. Getting high quality coaching overseas by an established NHL coach in Mark Crawford is an opportunity he'd be foolish to pass up--the extra money is gravy. Matthews should have a heads up on the competition, especially since there's so many stories about players not being fully prepared for the NHL game. Going through his route is not advisable for most 17-18 year old players since the competition is so much more physically mature, but Matthews already has an NHL-ready frame.

Even if he did decide to go via OHL, he definitely would not be making a paltry $100 a week, that's for sure.

 

[swisdan]

Matthews will win 412'000 dollars us.
He ll make his debut this friday again Fribourg.

 

[Risingwind]

He ll make his debut this friday again Fribourg.

How many goals should he score to not be considered bust? I think 3-5 would be fine.

 

[Halfy]

I have very high hopes for Mc David but from what I saw in his first game he looks further behind the curve than I thought he was. He looked a little like a deer in the headlights because of the pace.

He was still dangerous in spite of being somewhat confused and tentative. I cant gauge how long its going to take him to understand the NHL game. Whether its 20 games or 40 . It took Stamkos his entire rookie year.

My bet would have been 20 games but now I am not so sure. Its only one game so we shall see

I know you said it.....but you're HEAVILY basing that off one game in a rookie tournament.

 

[bigdog16]

I have very high hopes for Mc David but from what I saw in his first game he looks further behind the curve than I thought he was. He looked a little like a deer in the headlights because of the pace.

He was still dangerous in spite of being somewhat confused and tentative. I cant gauge how long its going to take him to understand the NHL game. Whether its 20 games or 40 . It took Stamkos his entire rookie year.

My bet would have been 20 games but now I am not so sure. Its only one game so we shall see

Took tavares quite a while too

 

[UvBnDatsyuked]

You're 100% wrong. This is all about money. His agent and his parents can profit off him from day one.

He earns $0 in the USHL and maybe $100 a week in the CHL.

I actually feel bad for the kid. He doesn't know what is going on. He couldn't pick out Switzerland on a map if you spotted him Italy, France, and Germany. They are setting him up for failure -- perhaps not in hockey, but life itself.

When the rumor first hit that he was going to maybe do this, I started thinking through the reasons (and reading the thoughts on the message board) for doing what he was doing and I thought it was a phenomenal idea with all things considered. Everything from the travel distance in this certain pro league (or lack there of), to the practice schedule, to the competition level and yes the money, it is nothing but positive. He will be playing in an extremely skilled league. A great part of the world to be in. Top flight facilities, training, etc.

You have pretty much misread the situation as bad as one could misread a situation and I'm not even close to exaggerating.

 

[buttman*]

You're 100% wrong. This is all about money. His agent and his parents can profit off him from day one.

He earns $0 in the USHL and maybe $100 a week in the CHL.

I actually feel bad for the kid. He doesn't know what is going on. He couldn't pick out Switzerland on a map if you spotted him Italy, France, and Germany. They are setting him up for failure -- perhaps not in hockey, but life itself.

Better competition. Good salary. One of the best countries in the world to live. This is a bad thing because you say it is?

 

[embee]

You're 100% wrong. This is all about money. His agent and his parents can profit off him from day one.

He earns $0 in the USHL and maybe $100 a week in the CHL.

I actually feel bad for the kid. He doesn't know what is going on. He couldn't pick out Switzerland on a map if you spotted him Italy, France, and Germany. They are setting him up for failure -- perhaps not in hockey, but life itself.

He is a teenager going to live in Europe, in one of the best countries in the world. If anything he is gaining way more life experience than anyone else his age... who are probably playing video games in the basement and bragging about how many bud lights they drank on the weekend.

He probably can pick out Switzerland on a map, its not that hard and not everyone is so insular.

 

[Jakey53]

You're 100% wrong. This is all about money. His agent and his parents can profit off him from day one.

He earns $0 in the USHL and maybe $100 a week in the CHL.

I actually feel bad for the kid. He doesn't know what is going on. He couldn't pick out Switzerland on a map if you spotted him Italy, France, and Germany. They are setting him up for failure -- perhaps not in hockey, but life itself.

You have no idea what you are talking about. What a asinine post.

 

[DSuttersface]

You're 100% wrong. This is all about money. His agent and his parents can profit off him from day one.

He earns $0 in the USHL and maybe $100 a week in the CHL.

I actually feel bad for the kid. He doesn't know what is going on. He couldn't pick out Switzerland on a map if you spotted him Italy, France, and Germany. They are setting him up for failure -- perhaps not in hockey, but life itself.

You don't know the kid at all how can you just make claims like that?!?

 

[Morbo]

You don't know the kid at all how can you just make claims like that?!?

Welcome to the Internet.

 

[Balls Mahoney]

#playlikestatuesformatthews

 

[WaltWhitman]

. He couldn't pick out Switzerland on a map if you spotted him Italy, France, and Germany. They are setting him up for failure -- perhaps not in hockey, but life itself.

Why would he need to find Switzerland on a map? Is he flying himself to Switzerland? I'm pretty sure the only time you actually need to know that stuff is in Geography class.

 

[Oan]

I'm pretty sure the only time you actually need to know that stuff is in Geography class.

Oh my No wonder Americans don't know anything about what happens outside North-America with that attitude.

 

[Dreakon13]

Oh my No wonder Americans don't know anything about what happens outside North-America with that attitude.

Yeah, that's not baseless generalizing at all. Way to do your country proud. Whatever country that is.

 

[WaltWhitman]

Oh my No wonder Americans don't know anything about what happens outside North-America with that attitude.

Actually, I was always pretty good at pointless tasks that you are made to do in school, like filling out a blank map from memory.

I'm just making a larger point that it doesn't really matter if you can fill out a blank map from memory. unless you're a cartographer.

 

[mcpw]

I actually feel bad for the kid. He doesn't know what is going on. He couldn't pick out Switzerland on a map if you spotted him Italy, France, and Germany. They are setting him up for failure -- perhaps not in hockey, but life itself.

It takes one to know one.

 

[Bank Shot]

It takes one to know one.

A cartographer?

 

[Jag68Sid87]

So are the Zurich Lions scheduled to play in the Spengler Cup this year? If no, can Matthews be loaned to another Swiss team for that tournament?

I'd love to see him playing in that tourney.