NHL: Around the League 51

[BobbyJet]

Eh.. I don't know about that one. Panarin is more of a ghost in the playoffs than Matthews (especially lately). Plus he provides nothing when he isn't scoring. At least Matthews wins faceoffs (53% in the playoffs for his career) forechecks and actually plays with grit. Panarin kinda of stays in the perimeter in the playoffs.

Tavares is the real issue on that team, especially his cap hit. He's basically overkill for them.

Agreed, all around.

Leafs acquisition of Tavares was always a head-scratcher for me. I think it was part of the illusion that Leafs brass thought they were ready to do something in the postseason.

 

[Hawkaholic]

Eh.. I don't know about that one. Panarin is more of a ghost in the playoffs than Matthews (especially lately). Plus he provides nothing when he isn't scoring. At least Matthews wins faceoffs (53% in the playoffs for his career) forechecks and actually plays with grit. Panarin kinda of stays in the perimeter in the playoffs.

Tavares is the real issue on that team, especially his cap hit. He's basically overkill for them.

I'd rather have neither at their value if I'm being 100% serious.

To put Matthews in the same breathe as MacK and McD is down right laughable though.

 

[ChiHawks10]

You need to watch more hockey. Mathews reminds me of Hossa without the puck.

No...

I don't know if there are more than 4 or 5 players in NHL history that were better than him on both sides of the ice. The guy, if a center, would have kept anyone from winning the Selke for like 15 years. It's a f***ing travesty that he doesn't even have one. At the very least, he should have been top 3 pretty much every year he played. The fact that he only ever had one top 5 finish in Selke voting speaks to how stupid the voters are. Hockey writers shouldn't be voting on that shit. Most are morons. Guys like Laz, who know absolutely nothing about the sport, get a vote? And just think, every team has a couple guys like Laz.

 

[BHawk21]

I can see it. Matthews hounds the puck on the backcheck like Hossa. Hes also big with a good stick.

 

[Hawkaholic]

I can see it. Matthews hounds the puck on the backcheck like Hossa. Hes also big with a good stick.

There is more to being food defensively than hounding a puck on the backcheck, and being big with a good stick. That's pretty much where the similarities end.

 

[BobbyJet]

No...

I don't know if there are more than 4 or 5 players in NHL history that were better than him on both sides of the ice. The guy, if a center, would have kept anyone from winning the Selke for like 15 years. It's a f***ing travesty that he doesn't even have one. At the very least, he should have been top 3 pretty much every year he played. The fact that he only ever had one top 5 finish in Selke voting speaks to how stupid the voters are. Hockey writers shouldn't be voting on that shit. Most are morons. Guys like Laz, who know absolutely nothing about the sport, get a vote? And just think, every team has a couple guys like Laz.

I agree about Hossa.... one of my favourite Hawks. I think the reason he wasn't recognized more as a Selke candidate was that his defensive prowess was very efficient and easy to miss. We as Hawks fans saw Hossa a lot and came to appreciate his play without the puck.

As for Mathews, I said his play reminded me of Hossa's, not that he was as good at it. But he does have the same kind of efficiency and deftness at stealing the puck from ops players that can be easily overlooked by those looking more at his dynamic offensive skill.

When Hossa first came into the league he also was a dynamic scorer and his defensive game was largely unappreciated but seemed to get better as he gained experience. I won't be at all surprised if Mathews shows the same kind of progress in his career. He takes his overall game seriously - he is more than an offensive star.

 

[BHawk21]

There is more to being food defensively than hounding a puck on the backcheck, and being big with a good stick. That's pretty much where the similarities end.

Yea we arnt talking about what it takes to be considered being good defensively. We also arnt talking about Matthews being as good as Hossa defensively.

We are talking about how Matthews reminds him of Hossa without the puck.

 

[Hawkaholic]

Yea we arnt talking about what it takes to be considered being good defensively. We also arnt talking about Matthews being as good as Hossa defensively.

We are talking about how Matthews reminds him of Hossa without the puck.

Saying someone reminds you of a great player defensively is basically comparing him to Hossa defensively. There is zero comparison.

 

[Pez68]

Hossa and Matthews in the same sentence defensively? Lol

 

[Hawkaholic]

Ian Mitchell reminds me of Brian Rafalski

See how dumb that sounds?

 

[BobbyJet]

Ian Mitchell reminds me of Brian Rafalski

See how dumb that sounds?

Like much of what you post.

 

[BHawk21]

Ian Mitchell reminds me of Brian Rafalski

See how dumb that sounds?

Yes, these are the same.

Matthews reminds me of Hossa without the puck.

Ian Mitchell reminds me of Rafalski.



Vintage Hossa play.

 

[Hawkaholic]

Like much of what you post.

sure thing, pot.

Yes, these are the same.

Matthews reminds me of Hossa without the puck.

Ian Mitchell reminds me of Rafalski.



Vintage Hossa play.

A play many NHLers have done, many times. lol, Oh wow, a player skated back and took the puck away from another player, how special.

Ian Mitchell can skate well, plays defense, is small. They have similar aspects.

 

[BobbyJet]

sure thing, pot.


A play many NHLers have done, many times. lol, Oh wow, a player skated back and took the puck away from another player, how special.

Ian Mitchell can skate well, plays defense, is small. They have similar aspects.

Just admit that you were wrong and quit digging the hole. Let's move on.

 

[Hawkaholic]

Just admit that you were wrong and quit digging the hole. Let's move on.

Wrong about what? lol

He is no Hossa (correct)
He isn't great defensively (correct)
He is overpaid (correct)

 

[BobbyJet]

Another leaf hater shows up to save his day..... LOL

It's getting impossible to discuss hockey here. If you guys really think that Mathews and Panarin are in the same category defensively then I don't know what else to say other than what I already said: Watch more hockey and leave your bias aside.

 

[Hawkaholic]

Another leaf hater shows up to save his day..... LOL

It's getting impossible to discuss hockey here. If you guys really think that Mathews and Panarin are in the same category defensively then I don't know what else to say other than what I already said: Watch more hockey and leave your bias aside.

You thought Crawford was a crappy goalie, you think Matthews should be even mentioned in the same sentence as McD and MacK, you think he's similar to Hossa defensively lol

 

[BobbyJet]

You thought Crawford was a crappy goalie, you think Matthews should be even mentioned in the same sentence as McD and MacK, you think he's similar to Hossa defensively lol

Another guy making shit up. Average does not equal crappy.

Next to perhaps Ovi (though he's getting long in the tooth) who is the best goal scorer in the NHL? Never mind, your mind is made up.

 

[Hawkaholic]

Another guy making shit up. Average does not equal crappy.

Next to perhaps Ovi (though he's getting long in the tooth) who is the best goal scorer in the NHL? Never mind, your mind is made up.

McDavid, then Draisaitl, then Pastrnak. All have more goals over the last 2 seasons.

 

[Malaka]

https://x.com/br_openice/status/1694730541931602054?s=46

Why am I getting all emotional Kane isn’t on the list

 

[Kevin Musto]

https://x.com/br_openice/status/1694730541931602054?s=46

Why am I getting all emotional Kane isn’t on the list

List is missing the GOAT, Frank Nazar

 

[x Tame Impala]

https://x.com/br_openice/status/1694730541931602054?s=46

Why am I getting all emotional Kane isn’t on the list

That defense would get pushed around a lot

 

[BHawk21]

sure thing, pot.


A play many NHLers have done, many times. lol, Oh wow, a player skated back and took the puck away from another player, how special.

Ian Mitchell can skate well, plays defense, is small. They have similar aspects.

Do you understand the argument you are in? Nobody is saying Auston Matthews is as good of a defensive player as Marian Hossa was. Hes saying there are similarities to their game without the puck. An example was shown. Why dismiss it? There are more available.

Ian Mitchell doesnt skate well...

McDavid, then Draisaitl, then Pastrnak. All have more goals over the last 2 seasons.

now do 3 seasons...
now do 4 seasons...

Its very clear that Auston Matthews can arguably be considered the best goal scorer in the NHL. Same with Draisaitl McDavid Pasta and Ovi

 

[Hattrick Kane]

Gimme

 

[JaegerDice]

Gimme

Hell yes. When EP is at the top of his game, I get flashes of Datsyuk. Insanely smart player, great 2-way impact.

Would love him on the Hawks.