Why is Auston Matthews considered a top 10 player?

[JetsHomer]

Just out of curiousity, do you actually think Blake Wheeler is a better player than Auston Matthews? Not judging, just curious if I am understanding correctly.

As of this very moment? Yeah he’s better. He’s not more valuable in the long run and obviously GMs would prefer to have Matthews but if the question is who would help you more in a hockey game tomorrow then the answer is obviously Wheeler. He’s been an absolutely dominate force this year and his 14 more points than Matthews in only 9 more games attests to this fact.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Except when looking at how a coach wants to deploy a player. In Matthews case Babcock feels it’s beneficial to give Matthews the third most defensive zone starts amongst the 4 Leafs centers

why didn't you answer my inquiry about why Wheeler is better defensively?

 

[McDavidCrushedLarkin]

I’m not sure but I’d rather my team make the playoffs than sitting around measuring stick sizes over individual players. You’re obviously the generational expert so I’m sure You’ll let everyone know

Don't ask questions if you don't like answers then. Making the playoffs has zero bearing on an individual players ability. Following a team with a generational player makes me closer to an expert than say yourself, obviously.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Don't ask questions if you don't like answers then. Making the playoffs has zero bearing on an individual players ability. Following a team with a generational player makes me closer to an expert than say yourself, obviously.

do you think McDavid had zero bearing on Edmonton making the playoffs last year? that's a bit harsh, I'd give him some credit. I'd also give Matthews credit for where Toronto is now

 

[TMLeafs17]

Don't ask questions if you don't like answers then. Making the playoffs has zero bearing on an individual players ability. Following a team with a generational player makes me closer to an expert than say yourself, obviously.

This is a great post, keep them coming please

 

[JetsHomer]

why didn't you answer my inquiry about why Wheeler is better defensively?

Combining last year and this year’s stats Wheeler has better possession metrics than Matthews on a worse possession team and he also has a 5 year history of being an elite defensive winger

hth


Wheeler’s career possession averages are better than Matthews best year possession wise

 

[Mats13]

Why is Auston Matthews considered a top-ten, even top-five player already? Obviously he had an incredible rookie season, but having him rated above guys like Stamkos, Schiefele, etc is unjustified imo. I will name all the forwards I think are better than him.

(In no order)

McDavid
Stamkos
Kucherov
Crosby
Malkin
Ovechkin
Tarasenko
Tavares
Benn
Backstrom
Kane
Gaudreau
Schiefele
Wheeler

Just of the top of my head. In the future Matthews could pass most of these guys, but why is he already considered so great? Toronto Bias?

Posters like you make me happy that the Oilers suck.

Enjoy the draft lottery.

 

[McDavidCrushedLarkin]

do you think McDavid had zero bearing on Edmonton making the playoffs last year? that's a bit harsh, I'd give him some credit. I'd also give Matthews credit for where Toronto is now

Obviously not. Do you think missing the playoffs takes away a players generational tag?

 

[Petrus]

He leads the goals in Even Strength goals since he entered the league (4 ahead of Kucherov in the same amount of games played) and has the 5th best P1/60 of any player to play over 1000 minutes. He's 5th in total goals. He's earned his praise and has outplayed a bunch of people on your list during that time frame.

I’m just going to quote this one so it doesn’t get buried in all the other messages.

 

[Muston Atthews]

We are literally talking about who is better right now are we not? So yes, I'm comparing Wheeler's last season and current season to Matthews last season and current season. Wheeler has performed better, therefore he is currently a better player. What is so difficult to understand about that?

Wheeler last 2 years
122 GP 37 G 82 A 119 pts
38 PPP ~3:12 PP/TOI ~20:18 TOI 52.87 OZ%
Most common line mates: Scheifele (117 GP, 37 G 73 A 110 pts) , Ehlers (122 GP, 42 G 52 A, 94 pts) , Connor (34 GP, 13 g, 12 a, 25 pts)

273 GP 229 pts (.84 PPG)
Average age of common teammates: 22

Winger

Years in the NHL: 9th and 10th

Matthews last 2 years
112 GP 57 G 43 A 100 pts (118 GP-105 pts)
31 PPP ~2:21 PP/TOI 18:26 TOI 54.74 OZ%
Most common line mates: Hyman (122 GP, 17 G, 32 A 49 pts) , Nylander (121 GP, 30 G, 59 A, 89 pts)

243 GP 138 pts (.57 PPG)
Average age of common teammates: 23

Years in the NHL: Rookie and sophomore season

Plays centre

—-

I’m taking the big centre

Sources:
Auston Matthews - Full Stats, Line Combos and Game Logs
Blake Wheeler - Full Stats, Line Combos and Game Logs

Hockeydb

 

[BruinLVGA]

Can a player really be generational if his team doesn’t make the playoffs? Has that happened before other than rookie seasons?



Whichever one is Matthews

The one with the worse stats: that’s Matthews.

 

[BruinLVGA]

never said he was tripe. he's just not auston matthews.

He is better than Matthews. All numbers confirm that. I posted numerous, just read back in the thread.

 

[Muston Atthews]

He is better than Matthews. All numbers confirm that. I posted numerous, just read back in the thread.

7 more points in 3 less games. Comparing a rookie+sophomore years to the others 8+9

 

[Festinator]

Wheeler last 2 years
122 GP 37 G 82 A 119 pts
38 PPP ~3:12 PP/TOI ~20:18 TOI 52.87 OZ%
Most common line mates: Scheifele (117 GP, 37 G 73 A 110 pts) , Ehlers (122 GP, 42 G 52 A, 94 pts) , Connor (34 GP, 13 g, 12 a, 25 pts)

273 GP 229 pts (.84 PPG)
Average age of common teammates: 22

Winger

Years in the NHL: 9th and 10th

Matthews last 2 years
112 GP 57 G 43 A 100 pts (118 GP-105 pts)
31 PPP ~2:21 PP/TOI 18:26 TOI 54.74 OZ%
Most common line mates: Hyman (122 GP, 17 G, 32 A 49 pts) , Nylander (121 GP, 30 G, 59 A, 89 pts)

243 GP 138 pts (.57 PPG)
Average age of common teammates: 23

Years in the NHL: Rookie and sophomore season

Plays centre

—-

I’m taking the big centre

Sources:
Auston Matthews - Full Stats, Line Combos and Game Logs
Blake Wheeler - Full Stats, Line Combos and Game Logs

Hockeydb

Okay, so you've confirmed that Wheeler has performed better, and also that his linemates have performed better than Matthews linemates... Why are you even bringing their linemates into the discussion?

This is starting to become an annoying leafs cop out in every debate you guys have with other fanbases. Yes the jets have better players, so what?

 

[Muston Atthews]

Okay, so you've confirmed that Wheeler has performed better, and also that his linemates have performed better than Matthews linemates... Why are you even bringing their linemates into the discussion?

This is starting to become an annoying leafs cop out in every debate you guys have with other fanbases. Yes the jets have better players, so what?

You’re arguing Wheeler is better than Matthews because of points. Logic says the better players you play with, the more points you’ll get. Matthews as a centre provides more value now and in the future. A slight difference in points doesn’t change this especially due to Wheeler getting ~1 minute more PP time and ~2 minutes of ice time

 

[BruinLVGA]

7 more points in 3 less games. Comparing a rookie+sophomore years to the others 8+9

117 points (in 3 less games) vs 100 =/= “7 more points in 3 less games”. And also better possession stats too, and others.

But in any case, now there’s an adjustment for age too? Is this what you do to justify worse numbers? Nice...

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Why is Auston Matthews considered a top-ten, even top-five player already? Obviously he had an incredible rookie season, but having him rated above guys like Stamkos, Schiefele, etc is unjustified imo. I will name all the forwards I think are better than him.

(In no order)

McDavid
Stamkos
Kucherov
Crosby
Malkin
Ovechkin
Tarasenko
Tavares
Benn
Backstrom
Kane
Gaudreau
Schiefele
Wheeler

Just of the top of my head. In the future Matthews could pass most of these guys, but why is he already considered so great? Toronto Bias?

The fact that he's living rent free in your head at 1:27 AM is probably enough of an answer in itself.

The fact that he did things as a teenager that are almost unheard of is another reason.

The fact he did things as a teenager that some of your list have yet to do is another reason.

Many, many reasons.

 

[JetsHomer]

You’re arguing Wheeler is better than Matthews because of points. Logic says the better players you play with, the more points you’ll get. Matthews as a centre provides more value now and in the future. A slight difference in points doesn’t change this especially due to Wheeler getting ~1 minute more PP time and ~2 minutes of ice time

Wheeler is playing center too now

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

As of this very moment? Yeah he’s better. He’s not more valuable in the long run and obviously GMs would prefer to have Matthews but if the question is who would help you more in a hockey game tomorrow then the answer is obviously Wheeler. He’s been an absolutely dominate force this year and his 14 more points than Matthews in only 9 more games attests to this fact.

I bet virtually no NHL GM would agree with you.

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Obviously not. Do you think missing the playoffs takes away a players generational tag?

I think never scoring more goals than Nazem Kadri in a season means he never HAD a generational tag to begin with.

 

[nturn06]

The fact that he's living rent free in your head at 1:27 AM is probably enough of an answer in itself.

The fact that he did things as a teenager that are almost unheard of is another reason.

The fact he did things as a teenager that some of your list have yet to do is another reason.

Many, many reasons.

Right, because a poster cheering for a different team cannot possibly live in a different timezone than you...

 

[PhilJets]

You’re arguing Wheeler is better than Matthews because of points. Logic says the better players you play with, the more points you’ll get. Matthews as a centre provides more value now and in the future. A slight difference in points doesn’t change this especially due to Wheeler getting ~1 minute more PP time and ~2 minutes of ice time

If any of the team is going to a cup "now"and they need 1 player

Wheeler or Matthews?

10 out of 10 the team will pick Blake Wheeler.

Future for sure matthews 10 out of 10. NOW?
Its Wheeler if the guy is playing in Toronto he would be talk about 10x more...

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Combining last year and this year’s stats Wheeler has better possession metrics than Matthews on a worse possession team and he also has a 5 year history of being an elite defensive winger

hth


Wheeler’s career possession averages are better than Matthews best year possession wise

His rookie season on the team with 7 rookies? How low are people going to go here?

 

[nturn06]

I think never scoring more goals than Nazem Kadri in a season means he never HAD a generational tag to begin with.

Comparing McD in a single category with the best season of Kadri is like comparing AM in goals with Jonathan Cheechoo, but I won't g there because that would be stupid, wouldn't it?

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Comparing McD in a single category with the best season of Kadri is like comparing AM in goals with Jonathan Cheechoo, but I won't g there because that would be stupid, wouldn't it?

What would be stupid is calling someone "generational" when every other generational talent before him was capable of doing more than creating assists. There's a long list of guys he hasn't been able to top in goals that no "generational" player would be behind. If he wants that kind of a title, he needs to put up.