Player Discussion: Denton Mateychuk

[majormajor]

I thought he had a good NHL debut. Decent all around, I particularly liked his defensive positioning. Seemed he was adapting to the system seamlessly.

However, he most definitely didn't look like a clear cut 2nd/3rd best D on the team. Frankly, puck handling under pressure still needs to be better. I guess it could look passable for a 6'3 2/3D but not good enough for a type of 5'11 defender I'm hoping him to turn into. I'd also want his speed and balance to improve more before making him a lineup regular here.

I don't mind if he plays another or two games so that they get a better assessment of his development but based on first game I'll expect him to be AHL bound for the rest of the season.

His balance is already exceptional.

He didn't hold on to pucks much last game but you're not likely to see that kind of comfort level until you let the player play - exactly what you won't get if you're insisting on only one or two game glimpses before immediately sending them down. That's not something that gets solved at the AHL level where he is already super comfortable.

 

[tunnelvision]

He didn't hold on to pucks much last game but you're not likely to see that kind of comfort level until you let the player play - exactly what you won't get if you're insisting on only one or two game glimpses before immediately sending them down. That's not something that gets solved at the AHL level where he is already super comfortable.

The puck handling issue I was referring to has less to do with him having possession of the puck only for brief moments, and more with the instances (especially in breakouts) where he failed to corral or receive the puck efficiently and quick enough, and follow that up with a clean pass to a teammate. Sometimes it gets pretty scrambly for him if the first touch on the puck isn't perfect. I'm hopeful his technique will get better by doing more reps in specific skill training, but it might be hard to find much time for that in the midst of a season if you're playing for an NHL club.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

thoughts on the early career games for mateychuk?

I think he’s been solid. Don’t really notice him much which is a good thing. Good skater. Really wish he would be a little more selfish on his offensive chances, as more than once now he’s had a shot lined up in the slot and passed it off. But given Evason’s lack of trust in Severson, and Christiansen’s minutes cratering, maybe Mateychuk is here to stay.

 

[DougKnowsBest]

I think he’s looked better each game as he’s gotten more comfortable

 

[Fred Glover]

I think he’s looked better each game as he’s gotten more comfortable

Well you know best

 

[ClevelandJacketFan]

Well you know best

Had to triple check that @Double-Shift Lasse didn't post this.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Had to triple check that @Double-Shift Lasse didn't post this.

lol I’m being talked about in the Vyborny thread…

 

[Fred Glover]

Had to triple check that @Double-Shift Lasse didn't post this.

I’m just trying to post better in 2025

 

[Cyclones Rock]

lol I’m being talked about in the Vyborny thread…

slow day in the newsroom

 

[CBJWerenski8]

It certainly doesn’t appear Waddell has any plans on sending him down anytime soon given his comments here. But congrats Denton!

 

[CBJWerenski8]

First career goal.

He keeps playing like this, this thread will turn from “prospect info” to “player discussion”

 

[tunnelvision]

By now he's gotten so much playing time it's starting to look like Waddell wants to have him in the top-6 and keep post-Provorov team as competitive as it possible is after necessary TDL transactions.

Playing meaningful regular season games in March and April is of course valuable for Mateychuk and the GM who's trying to figure out which players seem to be fit for their long-term plans, I have no complaints about that. Just hoping that decision won't be detrimental to Mateychuk's skill development in any way.

 

[koteka]

Dylan Tyrer interviewed Chris Clark between periods tonight. Clark said something like Mateychuk knows what he can do and just does it. I thought that was a pretty good description of Mateychuk’s game.

 

[Doggy]

I am getting the impression this guy is pretty good.

 

[DougKnowsBest]

So steady eddy.

 

[Theo Von]

So steady eddy.

so is his facial expressions when you meet him lol. met him last night after the game at the interview desk, stone faced as it gets lol

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Item No. 2: Mateychuk here to stay​

Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell is a big believer in young players spending time in the American Hockey League before they make it to the NHL. That’s the only reason defenseman Denton Mateychukstarted the season with AHL Cleveland.

Anybody who watched Blue Jackets training camp would tell you that Mateychuk, the No. 12 pick in 2022, was clearly among the club’s top six defensemen.
Mateychuk played 27 games in Cleveland and made it look easy. He had 9-16-25 and a plus-5 rating, drawing only five minor penalties despite playing about 25 minutes per night in his first pro season.

He’s looked the part in the NHL, too.

The Blue Jackets haven’t had the “get a place” conversation with Mateychuk yet, but Waddell was pretty clear when he spoke with The Athletic before Saturday’s game.

“He’s going to be here (in Columbus),” Waddell said. “We’re really happy with how Denton’s played, and we’re looking forward to keeping him for the rest of the year.”

Mateychuk, 20, has played on the left side of the second pair, with veteran Ivan Provorov switching from left to right to make room. In 13 games, Mateychuk has 1-2-3 and a minus-2 rating, but his average ice time — 18:02 — speaks to the trust he’s built with the coaching staff.

Not bad for the youngest defenseman in the NHL.

“I feel like it’s been good,” Mateychuk said. “I’m just trying to learn every day and get better. I’ve been doing the right things.

“It’s the little details. From juniors to the (AHL) and from the (AHL) to the NHL, the little details become that much more important.”

Like every young player, Mateychuk said lining up next to players you grew up watching on TV can be daunting. His second and third NHL games were against the Boston Bruins and defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who has always been one of Mateychuk’s favorites.

His seventh NHL game was against the Pittsburgh Penguins and legendary forward Sidney Crosby, a Canadian icon.

“You just look over and go, ‘Wow, it’s pretty awesome to go against these guys,'” Mateychuk said. “I’ve always believed I could do it, but going out and proving it is a good feeling.”

With that, the thread title changes

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[Cyclones Rock]

I see a top pairing dman in the near future in this kid. He's obviously skilled and plays with a great deal of poise-most of the time.

If he develops like I think he will, I wouldn't be shocked to see him signing an 8 year deal for his second contract.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Injured in a headshot in the AHL playoffs. Maybe it’s time to shut him down for the year

 

[Indy18]

Injured in a headshot in the AHL playoffs. Maybe it’s time to shut him down for the year

The rate we are going we are probably getting shut down as a whole for the season.

Sigh I wish I had a dislike button but we just ran into the team that’s probably gonna win the Calder anyways

 

[CBJWerenski8]