Player Discussion Mike Matheson

Redux91

I do Three bullets.
Sep 5, 2006
47,050
43,468
Kirkland, Montreal
We have a top 10 defenseman for points in the entire league at an absolute bargain price playing the 3rd toughest minutes in the entire nhl for the first time in his still youngish, in defenseman terms, career. We are starved for offense on this team yet people still moan about him. He would 100% be a top 4 on a contending team but let's all whine about him becasue he isn't prime Suter. This place is absolutely ridiculous. Like I didn't already know that i guess lol
Yet he's -30, because of his own doing, bleeds backbreaking shorthanded goals and we're a bottom 5 team with him at the D helm
On a PP with Suzuki, Cole and Slaf, even 'I' would have 50 points

We can do a loooot better
And we will
 

Nicko999

Registered User
Jan 23, 2008
8,119
2,073
Montreal
What hate are you still talking about FFS?
There is no hate, just pure anger when he does stupid dumb play over and over.
He is a fricking defensman, I want him to be able to play defence.
I dont care about his highlights reel goals once in a while.
His -28 is not delusional, its real AF!
And I want my D core to be mobile, be good in transition and have decent offensive production.

Hal Gill could play defense very well, we should have put him #1 D when he was with the Habs.

Hughes got the guy for Jeff Petry at a low cap hit. We are a rebuilding team not fighting for playoffs so I can definitely deal with Matheson's mistakes. He was that kind of player when acquired. Fans need to know the type of player before hating. He's always been prone to those bone head plays.
 

BLONG7

Registered User
Oct 30, 2002
36,842
23,518
Nova Scotia
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Matheson does many things well, but when he makes a mistake, boy he makes a mistake.
He will be with us at least another year guys, there are still some great unknowns with the kids that are coming.....
Skates so well, eats up minutes, and gets points from the back end......yes I would like to see him get less minutes, and maybe Guhlie more TOI...
 
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Rapala

Registered User
Mar 29, 2013
42,569
39,731
Montreal
It's so easy for all to see where our PP1 breaks down even though it is miles better than it once was.
I've been on about it for a long time.

We've finally been able to drop the Gallagher's and Anderson's from the picture.
The bolded were the prime culprits in the past and were most often responsible for breakdowns.

We've also been able to work Slaf and Newhook into our PP and the focus changed.
Good PK's will always press the weakest link and that became Caufield and Matheson.

So now it's quite often that right side where we are seeing the play breakdown.
This won't change until we find a way to insulate Caufield much better than we have been.

Giving up shorties is one thing but giving up possession is the bane of any PP.
 
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Team_Spirit

95% Elliotte
Jul 3, 2002
39,592
21,722
M&M 1st year running PP1 freestyle



Sorry I was drunk. But it's still funny af today lol no ragrets

~Pointe-Claire in the house you know what I'm saying

This is a story about something that happened to me yesterday check it out

The situation broke out while I was patrolling the PP~~
 

26Mats

Registered User
Jun 23, 2018
33,345
25,739
It's so easy for all to see where our PP1 breaks down even though it is miles better than it once was.
I've been on about it for a long time.

We've finally been able to drop the Gallagher's and Anderson's from the picture.
The bolded were the prime culprits in the past and were most often responsible for breakdowns.

We've also been able to work Slaf and Newhook into our PP and the focus changed.
Good PK's will always press the weakest link and that became Caufield and Matheson.

So now it's quite often that right side where we are seeing the play breakdown.
This won't change until we find a way to insulate Caufield much better than we have been.

Giving up shorties is one thing but giving up possession is the bane of any PP.
Dach should be a big piece of the 1st pp next year. Where will he play? Left halfwall? If so, does Caufiled play the bumper?

I find Caufileld very predictable on the halfwall. You know before he gets it if he's going to shoot or if he's going to receive the pass, stick handle a few times, allowing the d to reset, and then pass. Slaf makes much quicker passes from his half wall. Plus Caufield often turns it over.

maybe Caufield would be good in the bumper. You certainly want someone with a good shot there. And he has the best shot on the team.
 

Rapala

Registered User
Mar 29, 2013
42,569
39,731
Montreal
Dach should be a big piece of the 1st pp next year. Where will he play? Left halfwall? If so, does Caufiled play the bumper?

I find Caufileld very predictable on the halfwall. You know before he gets it if he's going to shoot or if he's going to receive the pass, stick handle a few times, allowing the d to reset, and then pass. Slaf makes much quicker passes from his half wall. Plus Caufield often turns it over.

maybe Caufield would be good in the bumper. You certainly want someone with a good shot there. And he has the best shot on the team.
I don't know but I would go into next season and start with a Brand New Canvas.
If it was up to me right now only two players would get painted in our #1 center and our #1 right wing.
I'm not going to be happy if this team doesn't identify the power play as one of the crucial fixes needed for next season.
I don't know if that includes hiring a specialist or simply letting some people go.
One thing is very obvious to me the group we have is either out of ideas or simply have no imagination to begin with.
We can't just say it'll be okay when Kirby Dach arrives if we don't address the structural issues.
 

Rapala

Registered User
Mar 29, 2013
42,569
39,731
Montreal
Fatigue, quality of match up, internal expectations/pressure...
The simple answer is his skillset is not suited for a top-flight power play.
It's not about what he has been able to accomplish but what he hasn't.
The last place you want to see erratic play is on your PP.
I never get a sense of stability when he's out there.
 

26Mats

Registered User
Jun 23, 2018
33,345
25,739
I don't know but I would go into next season and start with a Brand New Canvas.
If it was up to me right now only two players would get painted in our #1 center and our #1 right wing.
I'm not going to be happy if this team doesn't identify the power play as one of the crucial fixes needed for next season.
I don't know if that includes hiring a specialist or simply letting some people go.
One thing is very obvious to me the group we have is either out of ideas or simply have no imagination to begin with.
We can't just say it'll be okay when Kirby Dach arrives if we don't address the structural issues.
For sure you need a creative mind. Because as soon as you find something that works, other teams will game plan to counter it. You need to constantly be reinventing it.
 
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Heffyhoof

So happy to be glad to be pleased to meet you.
Jan 17, 2016
1,759
2,922
I hope he's traded at the draft. I have a love hate view of Matheson because he causes a lot of breakdowns and seems to be allergic to passing to Slaf. He's also a beauty when it comes to skating for any position and from a d-man it's amazing. His point total is also obscene considering our team.

Hughes should be able to get a killing at the draft for him. Ghule needs to play his natural side and is clearly a 1st pairing guy. The stars are aligned for a big trade with Matheson involved this summer IMO.
 

26Mats

Registered User
Jun 23, 2018
33,345
25,739
I hope he's traded at the draft. I have a love hate view of Matheson because he causes a lot of breakdowns and seems to be allergic to passing to Slaf. He's also a beauty when it comes to skating for any position and from a d-man it's amazing. His point total is also obscene considering our team.

Hughes should be able to get a killing at the draft for him. Ghule needs to play his natural side and is clearly a 1st pairing guy. The stars are aligned for a big trade with Matheson involved this summer IMO.
I'm not sure how much trade value he has. The TDL was cold for sellers. Plus Matheson is known around the league for his defensive lapses.

Ghostisbere has more points per game, but I don't think he could get a first because of his defensive game.

I'm hoping Matheson can have an improved defensive year this upcoming year...
 
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Ezpz

No mad pls
Apr 16, 2013
15,295
11,797
I'm not sure how much trade value he has. The TDL was cold for sellers. Plus Matheson is known around the league for his defensive lapses.

Ghostisbere has more points per game, but I don't think he could get a first because of his defensive game.

I'm hoping Matheson can have an improved defensive year this upcoming year...
To be fair Matheson is like top 3 in the league for minutes played while Ghostisbehere plays like 18 minutes a game.
 

26Mats

Registered User
Jun 23, 2018
33,345
25,739
To be fair Matheson is like top 3 in the league for minutes played while Ghostisbehere plays like 18 minutes a game.
True. I think Matheson has higher trade value than Ghostisbehere, because by all accounts Ghost is worse defensively. But Matheson's trade value being higher than Ghost's doesn't mean it's high.
 

Heffyhoof

So happy to be glad to be pleased to meet you.
Jan 17, 2016
1,759
2,922
I'm not sure how much trade value he has. The TDL was cold for sellers. Plus Matheson is known around the league for his defensive lapses.

Ghostisbere has more points per game, but I don't think he could get a first because of his defensive game.

I'm hoping Matheson can have an improved defensive year this upcoming year...
I wouldn't be angry if Matheson needs to be kept until the trade deadline, but I hope a team is willing to bite. He could easily be a #3 for a contender, just like Petry. Teams have more cap space at the draft and for people hoping for another pick around 12-18, Matheson might be the key piece.
 

Lafleurs Guy

Guuuuuuuy!
Jul 20, 2007
78,543
49,925
Yet he's -30, because of his own doing, bleeds backbreaking shorthanded goals and we're a bottom 5 team with him at the D helm
On a PP with Suzuki, Cole and Slaf, even 'I' would have 50 points

We can do a loooot better
And we will
Let’s be fair. He’s minus thirty because he’s playing in a number one role and not suited for it. Unfortunately, nobody else in this team is either.

He’s a stopgap. He’s playing against the best players every night. Let him rack up his points and drive his trade value. He’s not a long term fix.
 

Lafleurs Guy

Guuuuuuuy!
Jul 20, 2007
78,543
49,925
Dach should be a big piece of the 1st pp next year. Where will he play? Left halfwall? If so, does Caufiled play the bumper?

I find Caufileld very predictable on the halfwall. You know before he gets it if he's going to shoot or if he's going to receive the pass, stick handle a few times, allowing the d to reset, and then pass. Slaf makes much quicker passes from his half wall. Plus Caufield often turns it over.

maybe Caufield would be good in the bumper. You certainly want someone with a good shot there. And he has the best shot on the team.
Well, he used to anyway…
 
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