TheLeastOfTheBunch
Franchise Centre
Feels good even bringing up Barkov, Getzlaf, Kopitar, etc into the discussion here. Draft lottery win has definitely elevated the franchise
He viewed him as on the same level as Eichel (atleast last year), who he had as the 3rd best prospect of the 2013,2014 and 2015 drafts behind McDavid and Mackinnon. Ekblad was below Drouin and Jones, this is just factoring how he viewed the entering their draft. I'd say Matthews is in the company of all top centers taken recently outside of Crosby and McDavid. He's a prospect on the same level as Stamkos and JT.
That's a pretty pointless statement to make then... When you're talking about a 2nd or 3rd overall pick and a potential franchise player, teams will take the BPA. Saying there is 'zero doubt' that Buffalo takes Eichel over Matthews for no reason other than that the former was born closer to Buffalo is just plain silly. Do you really think that professionals with their jobs on the line are going to say, "Well, Matthews and Eichel are neck and neck, but Eichel was born in MA which is closer to us than Arizona so we're going to take him."zero doubt in my mind that Matthews would have gone 3rd. Not at all saying Eichel>Matthews but when you factor in Eichel and Matthews being closer than Pulu and Laine and that Buf picked 2nd and Ari 3rd it just makes sense that Buf takes the semi local kid in Eichel and Ari does the same with Matthews.
Eichel has better tools offensively, Matthews is better defensively. I would take Matthews.
Agreed, think if JVR stays he'd be a good compliment on that line too.
JVR-Matthews-Marner under Babcock is making me smile.
I agree on the less Flashy version of Malkin. This draft is basically Malkin-lite versus Ovechkin-lite.
More like Malkin-heavy... Matthews will be at least as good as Malkin.
More like Malkin-heavy... Matthews will be at least as good as Malkin.
More like Malkin-heavy... Matthews will be at least as good as Malkin.
More like Malkin-heavy... Matthews will be at least as good as Malkin.
More like Malkin-heavy... Matthews will be at least as good as Malkin.
The usual suspects have already started saying it. No worries, it'll be the same as the Marner/Strome polls.
More like Malkin-heavy... Matthews will be at least as good as Malkin.
You wish.More like Malkin-heavy... Matthews will be at least as good as Malkin.
You wish.
Malkin is the third best player of his generation, behind only all-time greats like Crosby and OV. If Matthews ever reached those heights, he'd be exceeding all expectations.
Love all three of them but I think only McDavid is likely to reach Crosby/OV or even Malkin-level. Not that that's really a bad thing... big shoes to fill. I think Matthews (and Eichel) will be a Tavares/Stamkos level player but not generational like Sid/OV.McDavid, Eichel, Matthews for the next generation? LOL let's just hope.
Ive always thought a more dynamic Toews. Which is super elite. He seems like he is bred for New NHL. Can dominate in small space, phyiscal, speedy and agile.
Predictions for rookie season: 23 g - 40 a - 63 points in 82 games
Interesting how Babock handles him, never had a top 5 pick before to break into NHL