Nylander is seen as a center, but we are at the point we just take the best player, no need to get too worried about positions. Nylander's game is fairly adaptable, and Matthews brings skills to the pivot Nylander doesn't have. Having them as a 1-2 punch would be amazing.
C Auston Matthews - ZSC Lions, NLA (2016 Draft) III
- Thread starter JawandaPuck
- Start date
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Since 2005
crosby
mcdavid
tavares
matthews (with Eichel JUST in front of him)
kane
stamkos
ekblad
mackinnon
hall
nuge
e johnson
yak
crosby
mcdavid
tavares
matthews (with Eichel JUST in front of him)
kane
stamkos
ekblad
mackinnon
hall
nuge
e johnson
yak
If your going by how they were viewed at their drafts EJ should be way higher, and Kane lower. Kane had a fair amount of questions around him (late birthday,power house line, size, etc). I'd say Stamkos was held in higher regard, Mackinnon was also held in higher regard than Ekblad, many actually thought S Jones was better than Ekblad and has a higher ceiling.
Fair.
My memory of Jones is that he had that elite d potential, but that the comparisons to Ekblad weren't quite warranted. He's got elite potential, but not the overall dominant game Ekblad showed. I might have been too generous with Ekblad, and it's hard comparing number 1 picks who were defenders to number 1 picks who are forwards, but Ekblad was the most highly touted defender I can remember.
I must admit my list is skewed for how they have actually fared in the NHL. And now I regret posting that list as it isn't a fair representation.
Many said Eichel was the best prospect since Crosby (not including McDavid obviously), and many say Matthews is right up there with Eichel. I believe Matthews is one of the better first overall picks since 2005.
Matthews is in that Eichel, Tavares, Stamkos and Mackinnon tier, and it wouldn't surprise me if he is the best of all of them. He has an amazing all around game and no clear weaknesses.
Regarding Jones and Ekblad, there were people felt that way but the people who were paying attention knew better. Many of us were confused regarding the negativity thrown Ekblad's way. I was shocked that people ever thought he wouldn't be a stud.
I don't disagree, was just talking about the general perception, if they were in the same draft Mackinnon probably goes ahead of Ekblad.
He was fine at the WJC. It was far from dissapointing, and he dominated the U-18 tourny last May.
Hero
Uncle Leo
Wow McKeen's scouting dropped him to 2nd.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/draftcenter.php?year=2016&layout=&ranking=Rank6
o.o
http://www.eliteprospects.com/draftcenter.php?year=2016&layout=&ranking=Rank6
o.o
firstemperor
Registered User
- May 25, 2011
- 8,755
- 1,445
In terms of hype, he is only below Crosby/McDavid. Maybe Eichel too. Eichel was great as well, not sure who would have been picked higher between him and Matthews. Probably Eichel because many scouts thought he had a NHL-ready body and he had a good showing at the worlds (also kept up with the pros very well). On the other hand, Matthews is producing over a PPG in a men's league. Stamkos was a late bloomer in his draft year. Tavares was a prodigy but people started getting tired of him being #1 so long and always criticized his skating or lack of emotion.
Not saying who's better between all of them, just simply how they were evaluated as prospects at the time the draft was rolling around.
Not saying who's better between all of them, just simply how they were evaluated as prospects at the time the draft was rolling around.
? No he wasn't, he was practically the consensus #1 all year and put up 92 points as a 16 year old, and was known as the top 2 prospect (other was Tavares) in Ontario for his age group since he was like 13. Only thing that slowed down the hype train on him was Kane, Ganger and Tavares all had crazy years his 16 year old season, and Tavares was the same birth year. But Stamkos was far from a late bloomer, he was on the WJC team at 17, and was considered the #1 guy for the 2008 draft before he even played an OHL game.
Matthews is in that Tavares, Mackinnon, Eichel, Stamkos, Malkin prospect tier. Personally, i like him more than any body in the last 10 years outside of McDavid. His ceiling is a more prolific version of Toews, Kopitar or Bergeron.
Eternal Leaf
Registered User
Eichel would definitely have gone ahead of Matthews.
That year in Boston solidified things for him even if Matthews was eligible.
He'd challenge him if this year was factored in, as his Switzerland year is as impressive as Eichel's BU year. If were talking if Matthews was eligible for last years draft out of the USNDP its Eichel, but Matthews was considered the better prospect in regards to the level they were at when they graduated from the USNDP.
FinPanda
Barkov Stanley cup champ!
From what I've heard, he has been the best player on the ice in playoffs. Two assists in two games.
Again this is old news. Matthews is back at 1st in his latest Rankings.
http://www.mckeenshockey.com/draft/
firstemperor
Registered User
- May 25, 2011
- 8,755
- 1,445
Stamkos was the same birth year as Tavares but was never held to the same regard for Tavares even up to his draft. He started to dissipate some of that thought near the end due to those starting to neg on Tavares for little problems in his game.
There is no chance that Stamkos was more overhyped than Eichel or even Matthews in his draft year, relatively speaking. People were calling that draft class a weak draft (especially post-Crosby). I don't think anyone is saying anything about this draft being weak (and obviously, everyone thought last year would be special). Eichel and Matthews did things that Stamkos never could/had the chance to show, compete very well against grown men. In Eichel's case, he was able to do everything well- skating, skill, board work- he was the real deal.
In the ZSC - SCB series for sure. He should've 3, but the tying goal was waived off last game. Hit the post on a break he forced on his own too.
I'm invested in another team so im not watching him live, but according to the highlights, he seems to be involved in almost all noteworthy offensive plays.
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