Toronto is in big trouble... Matthews's injury is still there. Surgery incoming?

[ForumNamePending]

Including this season.

He's played 586 out of 663 possible games, many of those were flu/sick.

So while he has missed some time I would not say he is hurt a lot

Ya, he hasn't missed THAT many games (a little over 10%, probably 11.something if my quick math is right), but he does seem to have entire seasons where nagging injuries really hamper his production. Over the past 4 or 5 seasons it feels like he has been alternating between winning Rockets and dealing with season long nagging health issues.

Anyway, the team has been doing well without him, so as others have suggested it's time for the Leafs to LTIR him, load up at the deadline, and then bring him back tanned and rested for a Conn Smythe run in the spring.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

Fellow Leaf fans: seriously, when was the last time you saw his laser beam wrist shot? I think it's been years. His wrist still isn't right, it's impossible to ignore at this point.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Non factor lmao

Matthews this year probably been as good as Tavares last year

 

[Breakers]

Marners agent is loving it

 

[Silky Johnson]

They are tight lipped, only speculation. Only thing we know for sure is they clarified it was unrelated to his wrist issues a few years ago.

So it's about his wrist then...

 

[Czechboy]

Vegas plan IMO... go get your guy Leafs and roll in the playoffs.

 

[Kerberos]

The Leafs are lucky they've had the best goaltending in the league, by far, this season.

The underlying metrics with that team are pretty troubling.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

Matthews continuing to have injury problems is about as surprising as the Leafs top 3 goaltenders having injury problems. When Murray and then Tanev get hurt, I will have Bingo

 

[HockeyVirus]

Fellow Leaf fans: seriously, when was the last time you saw his laser beam wrist shot? I think it's been years. His wrist still isn't right, it's impossible to ignore at this point.

Last season?

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Fellow Leaf fans: seriously, when was the last time you saw his laser beam wrist shot? I think it's been years. His wrist still isn't right, it's impossible to ignore at this point.

He scored 69 goals last season...the question kind of answers itself?

 

[Jumptheshark]

Too early to tell to have this thread

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Also I am pretty sure it is his back that is gone right now. It definitely isn't his wrist.

 

[cyris]

They are tight lipped, only speculation. Only thing we know for sure is they clarified it was unrelated to his wrist issues a few years ago.

It’s funny to see non Leafs fans who haven’t been following this injury from the start of the season like we have trying to tell us it’s the 1 thing we know it isn’t.

 

[HockeyVirus]

It’s funny to see non Leafs fans who haven’t been following this injury from the start of the season like we have trying to tell us it’s the 1 thing we know it isn’t.

Haters gunna hate

 

[Golden_Jet]

Fellow Leaf fans: seriously, when was the last time you saw his laser beam wrist shot? I think it's been years. His wrist still isn't right, it's impossible to ignore at this point.

Here is Auston’s top skating speed hit this year and his number of speed bursts over 20 mph
and his shooting and shot speed stats
for the year,
and his percentile ranking against all other forwards in league, for the above stats.

To compare to previous years, just change the drop box.

NHL EDGE Puck and Player Tracking Statistics - Skaters

NHL EDGE Puck and Player Tracking Statistics for skaters including skating speed, skating distance, shot speed, shot location, and zone time.

edge.nhl.com

 

[Martin Skoula]

Fellow Leaf fans: seriously, when was the last time you saw his laser beam wrist shot? I think it's been years. His wrist still isn't right, it's impossible to ignore at this point.

His wrist seems good enough, he’s getting enough power on his shots when he’s firing them off a stationary flick of the wrist. It looks like can’t twist his upper body to change the release point or get anything on net while in motion right now, haven’t seen him try a one timer in a while either.

When it’s the wrist he’s still aggressive on the boards and starts doing a Kreider impression around the net, when it’s the back the puck is barely on his stick in the ozone and he’s closer to an Ovi/Stamkos set up shooter.

 

[Juxta Position]

Why are they big trouble? Over Matthews whole career, Toronto has a better win %with Matthews out of the lineup. Plus he’s hot garbage in the playoffs, statistically they’re better off without him.

 

[FastEddie]

He was having an off-season even before the injury. But he's known for that. The hot/cold never really competing for the art ross is why you wouldn't put him with McDavid/Mackinnon. Leafs are having a great season. If anything they don't need Matthews. But I think he will rebound and score 40 goals by the end of the season. You want 60 from this guy but you only get it once every three years.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Fellow Leaf fans: seriously, when was the last time you saw his laser beam wrist shot? I think it's been years. His wrist still isn't right, it's impossible to ignore at this point.

As a non-Leaf fan, his wrister is still the best in the league.

 

[cyris]

He was having an off-season even before the injury. But he's known for that. The hot/cold never really competing for the art ross is why you wouldn't put him with McDavid/Mackinnon. Leafs are having a great season. If anything they don't need Matthews. But I think he will rebound and score 40 goals by the end of the season. You want 60 from this guy but you only get it once every three years.

Do you think maybe the injury is the reason for the off season?
The guy has been playing through something since the end of training camp

Also it’s kinda funny that you said he can only score 60 once every 3 years considering he is the only active player in the league with multiple 60 goal seasons and he did that by doing twice in a 3 year span

 

[Hattrick Kane]

The Stone/Kucherov method only works if they’re 100% by the time the playoffs roll around.

My best guess is it’s his back, and back surgery would put him out past the playoffs at this point. He might never be 100% again until he gets said surgery, so you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.

 

[AcerComputer]

Fellow Leaf fans: seriously, when was the last time you saw his laser beam wrist shot? I think it's been years. His wrist still isn't right, it's impossible to ignore at this point.

Last year when he scored more.goals than Ovi in a season and the most in 30 years since Mario.

 

[T REX]

Lets hope so. If it has to be done. Plan it so he is back the first game of the playoffs.

If that's what happens...those are the rules.

Every team plays by them.

I'd be curious to see how many fans of certain teams that complained on here would suddenly reverse course on some of the commentary about it.

I'd bet they'd stop calling it cheating and putting an asterisk next to it.

I'd bet a lot LOL

 

[SheldonJPlankton]

Matthews or no Matthews, Leaf success will manifest as it has always has - that is, nonexistent.

 

[The Shadow]

As someone said earlier his shot is not close to what it was. Even playing hurt he is still scoring.