Do you consider Matthews a 'Generational' player or talent?

[Zubrus Coffee Maker]

Depends on your definition of Generational player. After the season he just had, I would put Matthews in that tier. The guy just won the Hart, played great defense while potting 60 goals.

Is McDavid better? You could certainly argue it, but my definition of Generational player can include multiple guys. I’d say Ovy and Crosby are both generational guys who played at the same time.

 

[norrisnick]

Gretzky
Orr
Mario
Howe
Sid (imagine if he never lost his prime to injury)

Everyone else are exceptional franchise players.

Take out Sid. The desperation to label him a generational player has us in this mess to begin with. The separation (even when healthy) just wasn't there.

 

[TopChedder]

Take out Sid. The desperation to label him a generational player has us in this mess to begin with. The separation (even when healthy) just wasn't there.

I could get on board with just the other 4 for sure. I think had Sid not been injured in his prime we would be talking differently. The man may have put up 140+ point seasons.

 

[Regal]

I would say no at this point. I consider Sid and McDavid that level and I don’t think Matthews has shown the same consistency at the top from early on to justify that. But if he keeps playing like last year consistently then maybe it changes in a couple years.

 

[mistaclick]

As a Leafs fan, no. He is a generational goal scorer though, and an excellent 200 ft center as well that is easily top 3 (him or MacK 2nd, I haven’t watched MacK enough to really know) in his position in the world right now. His ability to stay on loose pucks and take control of it is world class, and he seems to make his own luck, almost every night… if that makes sense. But not generational like McDavid.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

I mean is Brett Hull a generational player. He won the Hart and Pearson, led the league in goals 3 years and scored 86 goals one year. He won two Stanley Cups.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

Generational goal-scorer, for sure (if he keeps it up/doesnt follow a Stamkos path).

I think the generational argument is too strict. I would consider Chara a generational talent, for example, amongst "active" players. I would also include Crosby, McDavid, Ovechkin, and Makar (tentatively... Karlsson looked like he was on that path, too).

 

[BlueBaron]

I would say no at this point. I consider Sid and McDavid that level and I don’t think Matthews has shown the same consistency at the top from early on to justify that. But if he keeps playing like last year consistently then maybe it changes in a couple years.

2nd in Rocket race (tied that bum Crosby I think) as a rookie. I can't imagine what you think can be more consistent than scoring more goals than anyone else since you entered the league.

Literally in Rocket race every year of his career=inconsistent . .

I'm sure you thought that sounded objective. .

I mean is Brett Hull a generational player. He won the Hart and Pearson, led the league in goals 3 years and scored 86 goals one year. He won two Stanley Cups.

Is Ovechkin?

 

[Paul4587]

Forwards who are generational talents generally win at least an Art Ross or two.

He’s probably a generational goal scorer though.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

2nd in Rocket voting as a rookie. I can't imagine what you think can be more consistent than scoring more goals than anyone else since you entered the league.

Literally in Rocket race every year of his career=inconsistent . .

I'm sure you thought that sounded objective. .


Is Ovechkin?

Yes. Based on his body of work including the second all time leading goal scorer and record number of Rockets he clearly is. He's got nine Rockets, one Art Ross, three Harts and a Conn Smythe. Not sure what he has to do with the question though.

 

[Peat]

I'm a little on the fence but no. If he keeps putting up 60 goal seasons and starts getting Selkes, or looks like he'll rival Ovie's totals, I might change my mind.

 

[Regal]

2nd in Rocket race (tied that bum Crosby I think) as a rookie. I can't imagine what you think can be more consistent than scoring more goals than anyone else since you entered the league.

Literally in Rocket race every year of his career=inconsistent . .

I'm sure you thought that sounded objective. .


Is Ovechkin?

Oh, I’m sorry, I thought we were having a discussion about being a generational player here, not 20th place scoring finishes. Being a consistently elite goalscorer is not the same as being in the best/second best player conversation, which he wasn’t until the shortened season, 5 years into his career, and so far for two years. McDavid and Crosby were in it by year two, and remained there for years. That’s the difference between a generational and all time great player: whether you can stay at that level throughout your prime or whether you only can for a few seasons of your peak. The post was completely objective, but you people just like to read slights into everything. It’s ridiculous.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

I will give him the title of a franchise player

 

[BlueBaron]

Yes. Based on his body of work including the second all time leading goal scorer and record number of Rockets he clearly is. Not sure what he has to do with the question though.

I suppose the fact Matthews is keeping career pace with Ovechkin who is Generational might open you up to the possibility Matthews could be to.

Like Ovechkin Matthews won't get recognized until he's chasing a major target but when you mirror the production of Ovechkin it's got to be possible you might be in his league.

Brett Hull is not small praise but he was a slow starter. He's not on the list of Rocket race rookies which is pretty small.

Oh, I’m sorry, I thought we were having a discussion about being a generational player here, not 20th place scoring finishes. Being a consistently elite goalscorer is not the same as being in the best player conversation, which he wasn’t until the shortened season. Jesus Christ you people are ridiculous.

You are right. Being a generational goal scorer does not make you the best player. Just the best goal scorer. Shit I didn't realize Auston was 20th in scoring last year. I thought he was tied for 5th with only 73 games. Nhl.com just can't be trusted I guess.

 

[socko]

Is this generational if he retires today? Then, no. He's on a generational type of career path though. I think he has a very good chance of separating himself from the pack he's considered in today. He's more talented than they are.

But it does depend on the definition. It the definition is Gretzky, then there has only been 1 generational player.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

I suppose the fact Matthews is keeping career pace with Ovechkin who is Generational might open you up to the possibility Matthews could be to.

Like Ovechkin Matthews won't get recognized until he's chasing a major target but when you mirror the production of Ovechkin it's got to be possible you might be in his league.

Brett Hull is not small praise but he was a slow starter. He's not on the list of Rocket race rookies which is pretty small.


You are right. Being a generational goal scorer does not make you the best player. Just the best goal scorer.

I agree. But I don't think many people realize what a truly remarkable career Ovechkin has had in terms of consistency and longevity in goal scoring. That's going to be hard for anyone to match. I mean there is a reason that he has the possibility to catch Gretzky which I thought I'd never see anyone even approach.

 

[BlueBaron]

I agree. But I don't think many people realize what a truly remarkable career Ovechkin has had in terms of consistency and longevity in goal scoring. That's going to be hard for anyone to match. I mean there is a reason that he has the possibility to catch Gretzky which I thought I'd never see anyone even approach.

I admit it's unlikely Matthews enjoys Ovies health but he could have a few more 60 goal seasons to help a bit. I predict he'll be 3rd in goals behind Wayne.

 

[Canadienna]

The label generational doesn't mean what the word generational means.

So yeah, maybe. If he has another Hart/60+ goal season I'd say so.

 

[Faceboner]

In all reality he would need at least one ross and another hart and lindsay

 

[Golden_Jet]

Yes. Based on his body of work including the second all time leading goal scorer and record number of Rockets he clearly is. He's got eight Rockets, one Art Ross, three Harts and a Conn Smythe. Not sure what he has to do with the question thoughand 9 rockets I think.

Also 3 Lester Pearson’s and 9 rockets and a Calder.
Franchise player.

 

[socko]

I don't know who he's going to pass to, to greatly increase his assists. He got Marner up to 35 goals. That seems about his ceiling as far as I'm concerned.

 

[norrisnick]

The label generational doesn't mean what the word generational means.

So yeah, maybe. If he has another Hart/60+ goal season I'd say so.

That makes it a terrible label and always has been.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

…

We didn't speak of Ovechkin as generational until he started threatening Gretzky so it's not unreasonable to want Auston to prove more.

…

Not true. It was always Sid AND Ovechkin are generational.

 

[BlueBaron]

Not true. It was always Sid AND Ovechkin are generational.

Not how I remember it. I had not heard the term until Sid and Ovechkin was not mentioned the same way. Ask a Caps fan. It took awhile.

 

[Tad Mikowsky]

Great player but not generational.