C Auston Matthews - ZSC Lions, NLA (2016 Draft) IV
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Star players don't often bolt. And it's even more rare for a star to leave a contender. Stamkos will likely be the first in ages.
Chara left a contender, but that was a matter of Ottawa making poor decisions. The only other stars I can think of all left terrible teams.
And Matthews doesn't strike me as that kind of guy. Everyone talks about what a mature, level headed team first kid he is.
That's pretty misleading considering eichel played in the ncaa in his draft year while bracco was still in the usdp. Eichel played in the usdp in his 2 years prior to his draft year while bracco played in his pre draft year and his draft year. Basically eichel did what he did at a younger age than bracco
Nizdizzle
Offseason Is The Worst Season
Matthews went to Switzerland (another continent) to play hockey and further his career. I don't think Toronto is so unappealing that we need to fear him ditching at first chance (assuming we don't stay 30th place the entire time).
Atomos2
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Eternal Leaf
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some plays from the first worlds game. (#34)
assist
pass and scoring chance
rush and kick pass
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some plays from the first worlds game. (#34)
assist
pass and scoring chance
rush and kick pass
first 2 don't work.
I remember the 3rd gif during the game against Finland. He literally beat 3 players (including 1 twice) during that whole sequence by himself including a double team at the end and still ended the play with a kick pass to his open teammate that lead to a scoring opportunity. that's off the charts skill. Scary to think this kid is only 18.
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- Feb 23, 2014
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A pre-tourney "general rehearsal" in Helsinki to be exact so that anyone won't think they're on already. The teams will face for the actual tourney game next Monday.
TheKrebsCycle
Throwing Confetti for Perfetti
some plays from the first worlds game. (#34)
assist
pass and scoring chance
rush and kick pass
It all just looks effortless, beautiful. Im not entirely sure how he managed to keep the puck on his stick in the 3rd gif...let alone the blind kick pass. Jesus
he's playing team Canada tomorrow at 8:15 AM EST for those that are interested. Probably going to be seeing a lot of the other Leafs' future, Morgan Rielly. Hopefully they both have a good game
Ducks Nation*
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Bobs your uncle
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I don't think it's a guarantee that the Leafs take Matthews. A center is needed in hogtown but Laine could blow scouts out of the water at the world championships.
Shanny seemed to imply they already know who they are taking. Doubt a short tournament will sway a whole lot unless one just completely fails.
WTFMAN99
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Eternal Leaf
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Riellyfan04
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What if Matthews blows scouts out of the water??? oh yea, he already did! Matthews is our first overall! as much as i like Laine, Matthews is better and needed more!
Atomos2
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Even then they're most likely taking Matthews. It makes very little sense to draft Laine.
Unless its like a career altering injury.
you would be saying the exact opposite if you had the number 2 selection. Why is Laine being sold short all of a sudden? The guy is likely a franchise player. Yeah he is a winger but will be a fantastic player in his own right. [mod]
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FlareKnight
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Agreed. It would say a lot of bad things about the Leafs scouting staff if this tournament swayed them in any direction. This has been a long year and enough time for their scouts to look at both these guys. They didn't just start paying attention to Matthews or Laine or anyone in the top 5 since the lottery.
The tournament shouldn't sway Hunter or anyone on the Leafs. Just a good chance to see what you are getting in a couple months and how Matthews handles players at this level and with the linemates he has here.
I don't think he or anyone would be saying the opposite. No one would be saying "well Laine is so fantastic that he's clearly going first overall so we're going to draft Matthews." There would be a lot of hype and excitement about drafting Laine second. A feeling that it's a shame the Leafs couldn't pick first overall and get the center, but that it's still a great result to get an elite winger.
I get that Canucks fans are upset they fell out of the top 3, but it's not our fault. Sorry if we're happy about getting a franchise centerman.
Coaches Coroner
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It's been labelled as pretty much Mathews being the consensus pretty easily for just about the entire season, it only seems to have gotten incredibly close around/after the draft lottery. You see it as people all of a sudden selling Laine short, but I've seen the opposite at least as much, where he's being vaulted into seemingly equal contention by some posters all of a sudden. Button said some scouts have Laine over Mathews but he said they are definitely in the minority in his experience.
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