why wear him out in the regular season? the leafs are a lock for the playoffs. maybe he cares more about what happens after the 82 game race for points.
Why is Auston Matthews considered a top 10 player?
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Liferleafer
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He really isn't dismissed though. Leafs dans i know would put it at McDavid/Matthews/Eichel in order. Eichel is having a great year...i just give the edge to Matthews due to his overall game.
BayStreetBully
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That’s the difference between the Leafs and Oilers. Everything the Leafs do this year is geared towards the playoffs. Babcock doesn’t mind losing games now trying to implement different strategies, having players work on their weaknesses and giving them more equal ice time, if it means being better prepared for the playoffs, and even if it means less individual points for players.
For the Oilers, the best success is McDavid winning the Art Ross, but even that ain’t happening this year.
Liminality
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- Oct 22, 2008
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You know there's a thing called multi quote right? It's the +Quote button next to reply. Might hide your obsession a little more.
I think we'll see Matthews' ice time increase over the years, that shouldn't really be a concern under Babcock.
I find it funny that Matthews fans compare him to Mcdavid all the time. Matthews is not on the same level as Mcdavid. I would even say it's not even close.
4 to 5 points up on a playoffs spot is not a lock. You can say most likely they will make the playoffs but there not a lock.
Matthews has better stats in every category,. That's why Leaf fans say he's better. You Sabres fans dismiss the facts.
BayStreetBully
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Babcock is confident enough the Leafs can make the playoffs without having to play Matthews 21 minutes a night. They are one team that believes there are bigger fish to fry than trying to win the Art Ross for a single player.
Why wouldn't we bring up the leader in ES goals since he entered the NHL? It really is an incredible stat.
Jets played the Oil and Sabres this week and one thing I noticed is that both McDavid and Eichel were prominent on their PK units. Why doesn't Matthews PK if he's such a complete two way monster?
BayStreetBully
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No need. Given how Edmonton and Buffalo have played this year, Babcock must be doing something right.
Liminality
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Do you know who's on the Leafs PK? The Leafs have the 7th best PK and that's thanks to the efforts of Komarov and Hyman on forward. Leaving Matthews off of it for now and letting him be fresh for his shifts seems to be working so far while he's on his best per game pace for most of his stats. Why change it?
I love the fake quotes non-Leaf fans bring up. Since you guys say all Leaf fans call Matthews generational, do you have quotes?
I have a quote from Barry Trotz I can bring up calling Matthews generational. Enough of this myth tha all Leaf fans say Matthews is generational.
I have a quote from Barry Trotz I can bring up calling Matthews generational. Enough of this myth tha all Leaf fans say Matthews is generational.
Matthews team is in the playoffs. The other 2 teams are bottom-feeders. Maybe if Babcock was their coach they would not be prominent on the PK?
The Grim Reaper
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I'm not an Oilers fan, so I can't speak for them. As a Penguins fan, the "hate" for Matthews doesn't hold a candle to what we had to deal with relative to Crosby. That being said, I know how annoying it is.
Babcock plays grinders and hustlers on the PK. First, he doesnt want the skilled guys throwing themselves in front of shots and getting hurt. Second, the PK isn't so much about defensive ability as it is spending tons of energy to get into shooting and passing lanes. Theres no point in tiring out the top guys on something that Komarov or Hyman can do just as well. Great defensive skills like coverage and takeaway ability don't actually mean a lot when you're playing one corner on the box and moving between the point and the boards for 30 seconds at a time.
Rants Mulliniks
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- Jun 22, 2008
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In a nutshell. Ask yourself why Matthews might have better production per 60 in all situations except PP. Then ask yourself why you would waste Matthews energy on a PK that is already one of the league's best over the past two years compared to running Connor (albeit as the 6th forward) on one of the all time worst PK?
Not gonna debate where to rank him but AM is considered really good 'cause he makes a good team even better.
Others in the "top 10" are better than AM but not good enough to make their teams much better. That being said...it's hard to judge just how good those guys are 'cause a few of those teams couldn't be much worse.
My passive aggression done now lol
Others in the "top 10" are better than AM but not good enough to make their teams much better. That being said...it's hard to judge just how good those guys are 'cause a few of those teams couldn't be much worse.
My passive aggression done now lol
Is this more hate, for the Leafs? Virtually all teams don't have their # 1 forward playing the PK. To single out Matthews, for not playing the PK, ridiculous.
Maybe the Sabres play Eichel on the PK, because they have so few forwards that are above NHL average calibre.
Maybe the Sabres play Eichel on the PK, because they have so few forwards that are above NHL average calibre.
The Grim Reaper
Registered User
This.
To use examples of Edmonton and Buffalo-Two of the very worst teams are terrible examples.
stampedingviking
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yet your posts reek of jealousy. clearly bitter that your provincial rival has a 0layer better than any your franchise has ever seen and your own team is an embarrassment.
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