What will it take for Matthews to be the best Leaf ever?

[Fatass]

All I'm saying is the modern bar isn't that high for him, but considering the reputational hole he's dug for himself yeah he might have to win a cup, full stop before anyone will anoint him the greatest Leaf ever.

For us older folk who watched the great 60’s Leafs that is the modern era too. Plus the thread is about what Mathews needs to do to be the “all time” greatest Leafs. Imo he’s got a long way to go to join the group at the top.

 

[BenchBrawl]

I'm just going to speak for the masses and say this kind of derision is not appreciated.

Fair enough, but neither is Toronto pretending to be equal to Montreal as a hockey city, coming from a Montrealer. And Toronto does it all the time.

 

[Stephen]

For us older folk who watched the great 60’s Leafs that is the modern era too. Plus the thread is about what Mathews needs to do to be the “all time” greatest Leafs. Imo he’s got a long way to go to join the group at the top.

Well, yes and no and kind of.

Emotionally, definitely. I don't think the fanbase has a big library of Matthews memories in the playoffs that are too enjoyable. 9 years and a whole lot of nothing so he's at a deficit now.

In terms of Stanley Cup wins, it's hard to compare the old era of two round Stanley Cups in the Original Six because you were essentially champion having advanced to the conference finals.

In comparison to the post expansion greats, most of Sittler, Sundin, Gilmour and Clark only had 1-2 big runs that cemented their legacy. So he could theoretically go to the ECF the next 2 years and he's matched most of them. That said, I go back to my original point that he's dug such a big reputational deficit he would probably have to win a cup outright to erase a lot of the "growing pains."

 

[Fatass]

Well, yes and no and kind of.

Emotionally, definitely. I don't think the fanbase has a big library of Matthews memories in the playoffs that are too enjoyable. 9 years and a whole lot of nothing so he's at a deficit now.

In terms of Stanley Cup wins, it's hard to compare the old era of two round Stanley Cups in the Original Six because you were essentially champion having advanced to the conference finals.

In comparison to the post expansion greats, most of Sittler, Sundin, Gilmour and Clark only had 1-2 big runs that cemented their legacy. So he could theoretically go to the ECF the next 2 years and he's matched most of them. That said, I go back to my original point that he's dug such a big reputational deficit he would probably have to win a cup outright to erase a lot of the "growing pains."

The league was harder in the original six days. There were a ton of players in the AHL who would be NHLers (obviously) with 32 teams. Every player had to be great to even make the national league. They had to be tough as nails too. Imo Matthews would have been great in the 60’s for skill but would he be tough enough? I don’t know if Matthews is mentally tough enough to make the sacrifice.
Will Matthews sacrifice his teeth? His face? Watching him in the playoffs big boy hockey im not too sure he will.
If he did go to that extent he’d be close to unstoppable. He’s 230 pounds! He’s got elite skill and a great shot. He should dominate big boy hockey. Why doesn’t he?

 

[BostonBob]

Give Justin Bieber the deciding vote.

 

[MoneyManny]

Hardly anyone on this list has won a cup and if you ask the question people will often say answers that aren't cup winners given it's been 60 years. Matthews will be the greatest Leaf ever if he stays here the rest or majority of his career going forward. Regardless of winning a cup, which I still think they will.

I disagree. The Leafs won 13 championships and the greatest Leaf ever can't be anyone past 1967 by default.

Austin can't leapfrog over people who won it all just because he scored lots of regular season goals. That's not what greatness means, IMHO.

 

[MoneyManny]

The league was harder in the original six days. There were a ton of players in the AHL who would be NHLers (obviously) with 32 teams. Every player had to be great to even make the national league. They had to be tough as nails too. Imo Matthews would have been great in the 60’s for skill but would he be tough enough? I don’t know if Matthews is mentally tough enough to make the sacrifice.
Will Matthews sacrifice his teeth? His face? Watching him in the playoffs big boy hockey im not too sure he will.
If he did go to that extent he’d be close to unstoppable. He’s 230 pounds! He’s got elite skill and a great shot. He should dominate big boy hockey. Why doesn’t he?

He already sacrificed his hair and it's done nothing! How do you expect him to sacrifice that sweet little baby face too?

 

[GeeoffBrown]

If Matthews wins a Conn Smythe, all past failures will be forgotten

 

[Video Nasty]

Choking a few more times in the playoffs.

 

[BenchBrawl]

If Matthews wins a Conn Smythe, all past failures will be forgotten

If

 

[jbeck5]

Isn’t this a Stanley Cup sub-forum. Can we take the Leafs threads elsewhere. Jesus. This has zero to do about the playoffs.

Nor is this a Leafs sub forum. This should be on the leafs board.

General questions or topics of the NHL should be here, or when the subject spans multiple teams.

If the topic is only about one specific team, why isn't it on the leafs board? If people want to discuss the Leafs, they can go there!

If you want non leaf fans opinions, they're welcome on the leafs board. Individual boards aren't restricted to only fans of the team, they're restricted to that team for subject matter. Nothing saying neutral fans or fans who don't like the Leafs cant go to the Leafs board to discuss the Leafs.

NHL board should be for NHL subjects or subjects that span across multiple teams.

 

[Plural]

I think he needs to win a Cup.

 

[blundluntman]

Matthews may be one of the most talented players in the Franchise history, he may even have the numbers, but greatness and talent aren't the same thing.

I'd rather have Doug Gilmour than Matthews all things considered. Sundin too.

 

[HockeyVirus]

If they won game 7 that is likely enough. Not sure what people actually expect, the Leafs have made it to the ECF and no further since 1967. In fact, the Leafs franchise has NEVER won more than 3 playoff rounds.

I don't think Matthews needs to win to be the goat. That is a reflection on the Leafs as a franchise. He will hold almost all records, and has basically gone as far in the playoffs as any great.

When you are arguing about players in the 40's, 50's, and 60's as all time greats I just can't buy it. The game has changed far too much.

So I guess the answer is, keep doing what he is doing and finish final four