Leafs aren't anywhere close to losing money, they aren't maximizing their profit, but they are far from being in the red. Granted, your other reasons I agree with. The pick won't be traded for anything outside of a ransom. We can't trade our most valuable asset without leaving with Arizona's which is OEL, as he is probably the only piece they could sell to the fans. And even then I'm sceptical, because we are trading 7 years of control for 3.
C Auston Matthews - ZSC Lions, NLA (2016 Draft) IV
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6zag
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- Apr 30, 2016
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Okay, I may be overreacting a little bit, but.. any winger in the world? You wouldnt take Patrick Kane, Jamie Benn and Vladimir Tarasenko for example for an unproven player who has not yet even signed with the team?
Sure he looks as advertised and I think he'll be great, but saying you wouldn't take anyone in the world over him without him even playing a single NHL game.. mind boggling.
In a vacuum, you probably trade him for anyone of those guys. But, the big thing is, those guys have to stay at their current levels to perform up to their contracts (or the new ones they are about to get). I wouldn't trade it for Benn, because he's a UFA in a year, and Kane is 27 and the highest paid player by cap hit in the league. Considering where the Leafs are, its probably best to build around Matthews, who if you compare him to other top center picks of his standard (Malkin, Tavares, Stamkos, Eichel and Lecavalier) should be drastically out-performing his ELC in year 2 or 3. The cap has drastically changed how to view hockey deals. The only thing really worth trading Matthews for is a comparable player still on an ELC, and those aren't really available and also will need to be paid soon.
General listing seems to be around 194. Well get the answer at the combine, it would surprise me if he was 210, but the kid is thick and will play a power game at the next level.
6zag
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Kane might be 27, but that doesn't really make him a grandpa. I wouldn't be surprised if he performs like MSL in his late 30's considering the size and the way he plays. It isn't as taxing as other styles of play physically. Benn on the otherhand, you got me there, I haven't looked into Dallas that much.
All I meant is, even though he is most likely going to be a superstar, I would still pick a proven superstar over a potential superstar. That being said, I do believe he will pull through the expectations, but I'd still play it safe. Although I guess if you never gamble you can never win, so we shall see.
Main point being I just don't think he's worth more than any winger in the world, even though he's likely to be awesome.
This is probably close. Maybe 200.
His legs are pretty built too. I was watching an off ice training video and he has some muscular quads already for an 18 year old. If he puts on even more strength in the NHL and maybe a little bit more weight, he'll be a beast along the boards and during the cycle.
It was a very good wake up article to look at, and shows just how much picks can be over valued. I still believe in a build through the draft approach, but this gives an idea of just how hard it is to do. Chicago and Pitt have done it in recent memory, and they had a large number of picks in the top 3 (3 each I believe), which is where things look pretty good.
Your off, Pitt had 4 (Fluery, Malkin, Crosby, J. Staal) but Chicago had 3 (Barker, Toews, Kane).
Then why you take the discussion so seriously? Finns understandably want their first #1 ever chosen player. Most Finns on the boards understand the situation with Leafs and their need for Matthews. What's bothering them is that Leafs fans and Americans act like there was a big difference between them, which is just not true. Any of them can become more succesful player.
X66
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Matthews is the best player in this draft, AINEC.
Laine is also a game changer, and he's amazing at what he does. But, Matthews is just so much more valuable because of his position. You notice him everywhere on the ice. I also think his game translate to NA Ice WAY better, but time will prove that.
I also hate the argument of 'If Laine was a center' blah blah, well, if Laine was a center, who is to say he'd be the exact same talent? There is a reason he's winger.
Laine is also a game changer, and he's amazing at what he does. But, Matthews is just so much more valuable because of his position. You notice him everywhere on the ice. I also think his game translate to NA Ice WAY better, but time will prove that.
I also hate the argument of 'If Laine was a center' blah blah, well, if Laine was a center, who is to say he'd be the exact same talent? There is a reason he's winger.
HockeyGuruPitka
Registered User
For me he reminds me of a more cerebral version of Malkin. Hes less flash but more substance in the O zone. Excellent puck possession player. Always in motion and always in the play. Not afraid to hold the puck, very good at playing the give and go. He doesnt shy away from physical contact, seems next to impossible to knock him off the puck.
I notice that most of his defensive play is with his stick and not his body. Hes very good at using his stick to close gap. He will need to engage more with his body defensively in the NHL.
The best part about him is that every tool is excellent. Excellent hands, excellent shot, excellent vision, excellent skater, excellent IQ
This is a future NHL superstar IMO.
I notice that most of his defensive play is with his stick and not his body. Hes very good at using his stick to close gap. He will need to engage more with his body defensively in the NHL.
The best part about him is that every tool is excellent. Excellent hands, excellent shot, excellent vision, excellent skater, excellent IQ
This is a future NHL superstar IMO.
HockeyGuruPitka
Registered User
There is a big difference though. That's the thing. People are acting like Matthews is a 50-60 point twoway center at his peak while Laine is Ovie because he scored some goals for a month while Matthews was watching the Coyotes play live.
Not to mention this whole thing started as soon as Toronto won the lottery.
Paxon
202? Stanley Cup Champions
Leafs shouldn't trade Mathews for someone like Patrick Kane. They still aren't going to be good for a couple years at least. You'll get an entire career out of Mathews alongside Nylander, Marner, etc with Rielly still very young. I said the same kind of thing about the Sabres last year not trading Eichel, even if we're talking about trading for a player Eichel may never be better than (say, Crosby). If the Leafs want to speed thing up the way to do it is to trade non-core young players, picks, and prospects for young/prime-aged players to supplement those core guys.
HockeyGuruPitka
Registered User
The leafs made that trade that you are talking about back in 2010. Tyler Seguin, Dougie Hamilton for 23 y/o Phill Kessel. We have been paying the price ever since. I PRAY the leafs arent dumb enough to make the same mistake twice.
The way the NHL is trending the majority of careers are becoming shorter. I wouldn't risk losing 9 years of Auston Matthews to get a chance at 27 y/o Patrick Kane. Especially since the rest of our core is 25 or younger.
The Burke era Leafs should be the poster child of why not to build around wingers, and why too draft and develop.
If matthews is kopitar and laine is kane, I'm fine with the leafs having the centre.
Point is, two great prospects
Matthews is really good.
Point is, two great prospects
Matthews is really good.
Ducks Nation*
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Matthews plays more like Kane than Laine does...
Matthews reminds me of Malkin/Kane the way he stick handles.
Matthews reminds me of Malkin/Kane the way he stick handles.
TheKrebsCycle
Throwing Confetti for Perfetti
I honestly dont see either one as comparable to Kane stylistically...I'm starting to get behind the Foppa (with a better shot and hopefully more durable) comps.
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I think they are fairly close, but Mathews is still ahead. The discussion in the media and online about Laine now being better has exploded since the lottery. I'd be happy with either player, but people are obsessed with who is better and the Laine hype train is reaching full steam. I think he's closing the gap between them, but reading online you'd think he's blown past him in a week or two.
I'm gonna get a good laugh if Matthews scores more goals than Laine in the NHL, which could very well happen. Matthews is just as prolific a goal scorer as Laine. And his game is better suited to the smaller ice than Matthews since it is harder to get open for the one timer so who knows.
Seriously think both will be 40 goal scorers though and this is the next Ovy/Malkin draft. Except this time the first overall and better player will be the center.
Doesn't have the mean streak IMO. Try the other ATG Avs center.
Common comparison thrown around if he reaches his ceiling has been a taller Sakic.(Not saying Taller = Better)
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