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Which current player has the most to prove this postseason?

It's unfortunately Matthews.

Like, wtf happened to that guy that learned how to play hockey "in a phone booth" and wtf happened to his gnarly wrister?

Ughhhh, not even hating on the guy, but please show up...........

Marner doesn't have to prove anything because what he's about to command on his next contract, he can politely f right off unless he scores the Stanley Cup winning goal.
 
I think marner proved in 4 nations he can be clutch, helle has been deep in the playoffs before and run into a couple teams who won the cup. Matthews is my pick
 
GrandmaCookie said:
Has in, which player under/over performance will affect their overall image around the league the most? And what would need to happen?

Leafs out in round 1 or 2 will mark Matthews as the ultimate loser? Or on the contrary, a push for Toronto past round 2 will change a lot about the opinion fans have of him? Or is it a cup or nothing?

McDavid? Is anything else short of another cup finals will start to tarnish his image? Will a cup win make him a contender for hockey mount rushmore?

Make or break playoff for Helleybuck maybe? Draisaitl?

This might be a hot take but I think a MVP for Kucherov or Mackinnon might gave them ammunition for best player in the leaguehow Draisaitl
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GrandmaCookie said:
Has in, which player under/over performance will affect their overall image around the league the most? And what would need to happen?

Leafs out in round 1 or 2 will mark Matthews as the ultimate loser? Or on the contrary, a push for Toronto past round 2 will change a lot about the opinion fans have of him? Or is it a cup or nothing?

McDavid? Is anything else short of another cup finals will start to tarnish his image? Will a cup win make him a contender for hockey mount rushmore?

Make or break playoff for Helleybuck maybe? Draisaitl?

This might be a hot take but I think a MVP for Kucherov or Mackinnon might gave them ammunition for best player in the league.
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How can Draisaitl even be in the conversation?
He has broken playoff records already and has played through several injuries while doing so.
He has an argument for the best playoff performer of this generation.
Seems like you are not into hockey?!

To the topic, it's obviously all of the Leafs and Hurricanes as already mentioned and Helle has also lots to prove especially after his great regular season.
 
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Wait, are people seriously nominating Draisaitl or McDavid...?? Good grief.

McDavid scored more assists in a playoff run than Gretzky. Draisaitl scored more points in a 5-games series than Gretzky or Lemieux or anybody in history.

They're both been completely dominant in the playoffs at historically record-breaking levels, and have dragged an Oilers' team with middle defence and AHL goaltending to the third round twice, including winning the Western Conference.
 
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As everyone said - the 3 names are Matthews, Marner and Hellebuyck.

Matthews - He's been called for years a top 6 player in the NHL (McDavid, Drai, Kuch, Mack and Makar). And rightfully so - I think he probably belongs in this group. The problem is - all 5 other players haven't only been good in playoffs, they've all played at an all-time-great level in playoffs to varying degrees. So - Matthews looks extremely lackluster in comparison.

Matthews doesn't just need to be "good" - he's previously been ok to good at times -but he now needs to be fantastic. Take over a playoff round - score ~7-10 goals, etc. Leafs have disappointed terribly in playoffs - and they once again have a team able to win the cup this year, but the only way they go on a run is if their best players step up and take over. And it starts with Auston Matthews.

Marner - same as Matthews. Expectations slightly lower for him, but flipside is he's probably been worst than Matthews in playoffs. He hasn't always only been bad - but he needs a consistently great run to help his team go far.

Hellebuyck. It took me a while to buy into the hype for him as a great goalie - but I've been really impressed this year. I expected him to crash and burn after last season, but instead he's doing even better. So - he's an all-time great goalie for regular season.....who has been shit in playoffs. He needs to steal a round, maybe two - and carry his team into a deep playoff run. I don't think it happens, but he certainly has a lot to prove.

Slight homer vote - I'll mention Montembeault for the habs. Not because he's disappointed in anyway like the other 3. It's more about - I still don't buy into him as a legitimate #1 goalie in the NHL, but he has been good still. Made the 4 nations. Won gold with Canada, etc. I think if he can be very solid in the playoffs (doesn't even have to steal a round, but just be good enough to allow forwards to possibly win games), I might be more likely to buy into him being a worthy #1 goalie.
 
The Panther said:
Wait, are people seriously nominating Draisaitl or McDavid...?? Good grief.

McDavid scored more assists in a playoff run than Gretzky. Draisaitl scored more points in a 5-games series than Gretzky or Lemieux or anybody in history.

They're both been completely dominant in the playoffs at historically record-breaking levels, and have dragged an Oilers' team with middle defence and AHL goaltending to the third round twice, including winning the Western Conference.
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Obviously Draisaitl overall has been fantastic in the playoffs.

But he really faded in rounds 3 and 4 last year....was he injured? I know he was injured in 2022 when he slowed down at end of playoffs, I honestly can't remember now if he was injured last year, or nothing serious. But if he played better in the finals last year - Oilers likely win the cup.

I fully expect him to be great again these playoffs - but I'd like to see him be more consistent. I feel as though McDavid not only has been better then Drai in the playoffs (he's a better player, so you'd expect him to be better), but also has been more consistent.
 
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Going off the board with someone not mentioned yet: Brad Marchand.

After being disrespected (in his eyes) by Bruins management and seeking a new contract, helping a division rival go on another deep cup run would get him great opportunities for one last deal to retire on. He’s always produced in the playoffs in the past but now there’s his future on the line.
 
Kevin Fiala needs to finally provide some offense for the Kings and Mikey Anderson needs to be much more physical as he’s been charming soft when things get tough
 
bobholly39 said:
Obviously Draisaitl overall has been fantastic in the playoffs.

But he really faded in rounds 3 and 4 last year....was he injured? I know he was injured in 2022 when he slowed down at end of playoffs, I honestly can't remember now if he was injured last year, or nothing serious. But if he played better in the finals last year - Oilers likely win the cup.

I fully expect him to be great again these playoffs - but I'd like to see him be more consistent. I feel as though McDavid not only has been better then Drai in the playoffs (he's a better player, so you'd expect him to be better), but also has been more consistent.
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Drai is the more consistent player, even more than McD.
Drai played the last two rounds with a broken finger and broken rips...how can somebody missed this?
I have done sport my hole life and can't believe that someone could play professional sport with such injuries...for me and most who have followed the Oilers last year it's almost a given that they would have won if Drai wasn't injured last year and yes I do know that everybody is lingering with injuries in the playoffs but to be able to even play with such injuries is incredible (I think if he would have been at least 50% healthy, the finals would/could have gone a different way...but to be fair who knows).
 
I haven’t seen anyone mention Ehlers. Pending UFA having a great regular season but has been very pedestrian in past playoffs. If he can put together a strong playoffs he’ll earn himself a much larger UFA contract.
 
BertMcDrai said:
How can Draisaitl even be in the conversation?
He has broken playoff records already and has played through several injuries while doing so.
He has an argument for the best playoff performer of this generation.
Seems like you are not into hockey?!

To the topic, it's obviously all of the Leafs and Hurricanes as already mentioned and Helle has also lots to prove especially after his great regular season.
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Have I hurt your feelings? Sorry for that wasn’t my intentions. I just throwed names out there didn’t want to single you out lmao.
 
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GrandmaCookie said:
Have I hurt your feelings? Sorry for that wasn’t my intentions. I just throwed names out there didn’t want to single you out lmao.
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No has nothing to do with my feelings...but just curious how someone come to this conclusion?!
 
BertMcDrai said:
No has nothing to do with my feelings...but just curious how someone come to this conclusion?!
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I just randomly threw big names out there that didn’t win the cup yet as a conversation starter. Oilers, Leafs and Helleybuck we’re the easy one to throw, didn’t meant Draisaitl was an underperforming playoff player.
 
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Definitely Matthews, but a 3rd or 4th place vote for Brady Tkachuk. Everyone just assumes he’s a playoff warrior, but he’s never had a chance to show it. So either he will vindicate all those who think he’s naturally that guy, or make people rethink the idea for the next 365 days.
 
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kings11 said:
Kevin Fiala needs to finally provide some offense for the Kings and Mikey Anderson needs to be much more physical as he’s been charming soft when things get tough
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Came to mention Fiala as he's a little under the radar for this thread...basically a PPG winger outside the playoffs, half of that and a liability in the playoffs...
 
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I think an interesting name to mention is Brady Tkachuk. Everyone assumes he's going to be a playoff monster because of his regular season style and ability and the way he played at the 4Nations. The expectations are sky high for him, and while I think he matches them, he's going to have to elevate his game the way most expect.

The real answer is Matthews/Marner/Hellebyuck, probably in that order.
 
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Marner is the answer here.

Tavares needs to be mentioned as well.

Matthews is playing through an injury, might need off season surgery, he'll get a bit of a pass for that reason.
 
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