Auston Matthews

[CarltonTheBear]

Wow. That's actually incredible. That's a 19-year old with 1 NHL game under his belt absolutely dunking on a 10+ year NHL veteran. I'm really looking forward to Auston's personality shining through a little more in the next few years.

edit: when I say "dunking" I don't mean he was actually rubbing it in Anderson's face, I'm sure they both had a friendly laugh about it, but that still takes a ton of confidence

 

[herman]

Here's the full video: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/debut-ages-matthews-unforgettable-first-nhl-game/

Prior to the game last night, someone was trying to goad him into a Laine vs. Matthews conversation.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/matthews-likes-laine-theres-no-real-rivalry/

 

[disco]

Here's the full video: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/debut-ages-matthews-unforgettable-first-nhl-game/

Prior to the game last night, someone was trying to goad him into a Laine vs. Matthews conversation.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/matthews-likes-laine-theres-no-real-rivalry/

Goosebumps. The best moments in sports are the unscripted ones. What a night. That personalized autograph is great, he's got a sense of humour ;D

 

[mr grieves]

One of the few remaining hockey writers who hasn't been snatched up by the Athletic has a piece on Matthews...

All in all, Matthews? rookie season would rank him seventh in the NHL among centres, if he were to repeat that year two more times. Keep in mind that when I did this project last year, Connor McDavid?s rookie season would have had him ranked sixth. I changed things up fairly significantly this season, so how would McDavid?s rookie campaign compare to Matthews? directly?

link: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/leafs-auston-matthews-might-underrated/

 

[Coco-puffs]

One of the few remaining hockey writers who hasn't been snatched up by the Athletic has a piece on Matthews...

All in all, Matthews? rookie season would rank him seventh in the NHL among centres, if he were to repeat that year two more times. Keep in mind that when I did this project last year, Connor McDavid?s rookie season would have had him ranked sixth. I changed things up fairly significantly this season, so how would McDavid?s rookie campaign compare to Matthews? directly?

link: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/leafs-auston-matthews-might-underrated/

Things that Matthews led all centres in last year:

As a rookie, Matthews led all centres in multiple categories, including 5-on-5 goals per 60 minutes, 5-on-5 scoring chances per 60 minutes, 5-on-5 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes, and loose-puck recoveries per 60 minutes.

I don't doubt for a minute Hyman's very effective forechecking was a big part of the last one.  Matthews still has to be there to support him so its not all on Hyman, but I think Babcock is on to something about Hyman being one of the best forecheckers.  Hopefully Hyman can improve his finishing on all the golden opportunites Matthews and Nylander set him up for.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

One of the few remaining hockey writers who hasn't been snatched up by the Athletic has a piece on Matthews...

All in all, Matthews? rookie season would rank him seventh in the NHL among centres, if he were to repeat that year two more times. Keep in mind that when I did this project last year, Connor McDavid?s rookie season would have had him ranked sixth. I changed things up fairly significantly this season, so how would McDavid?s rookie campaign compare to Matthews? directly?

link: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/leafs-auston-matthews-might-underrated/

That article had this gem that I posted in the GDT:

Matthews was held back offensively last year partially because of how often he played with Zach Hyman, who was either snake-bitten or seriously lacks in finishing talent, depending whom you ask. Matthews set up Hyman for more inner-slot scoring chances than any other two players combined for last season, on which Hyman cashed in just four times on 56 chances at even strength.

That 7.14 shooting percentage would be rough from that area anyway, where the average shot beats goalies 22.6 per cent of the time, but add in pre-shot movement and you?re looking at an expected shooting percentage around 30 per cent for an average player.

That essentially means the impact of Hyman?s poor shooting last season was about 13 fewer goals for while Matthews was on the ice, and likely several more primary assists.

 

[mr grieves]

That article had this gem that I posted in the GDT:

Matthews was held back offensively last year partially because of how often he played with Zach Hyman, who was either snake-bitten or seriously lacks in finishing talent, depending whom you ask. Matthews set up Hyman for more inner-slot scoring chances than any other two players combined for last season, on which Hyman cashed in just four times on 56 chances at even strength.

Yeah, but Carl... how would Matthews even have the puck to pass to Hyman in the inner slot if gudpro Hyman wasn't after the puck like a dog on a bone and tying up defensemen behind the net like, uh, a dog treeing a cat? Use your eyes, man!

 

[bustaheims]

That article had this gem that I posted in the GDT:

Matthews was held back offensively last year partially because of how often he played with Zach Hyman, who was either snake-bitten or seriously lacks in finishing talent, depending whom you ask. Matthews set up Hyman for more inner-slot scoring chances than any other two players combined for last season, on which Hyman cashed in just four times on 56 chances at even strength.

That 7.14 shooting percentage would be rough from that area anyway, where the average shot beats goalies 22.6 per cent of the time, but add in pre-shot movement and you?re looking at an expected shooting percentage around 30 per cent for an average player.

That essentially means the impact of Hyman?s poor shooting last season was about 13 fewer goals for while Matthews was on the ice, and likely several more primary assists.

If only the Leafs had a big bodied winger with decent scoring ability they could plug into the lineup without throwing off any of the other lines. What's that, they do? Josh Leivo, you say?

 

[princedpw]

Hmmm. I'm surprised people aren't using this thread to comment on Matthews sophomore slump. His goal scoring is only 25% of what it was last year at this point in the season.

 

[rdowdall]

That article had this gem that I posted in the GDT:

Matthews was held back offensively last year partially because of how often he played with Zach Hyman, who was either snake-bitten or seriously lacks in finishing talent, depending whom you ask. Matthews set up Hyman for more inner-slot scoring chances than any other two players combined for last season, on which Hyman cashed in just four times on 56 chances at even strength.

That 7.14 shooting percentage would be rough from that area anyway, where the average shot beats goalies 22.6 per cent of the time, but add in pre-shot movement and you?re looking at an expected shooting percentage around 30 per cent for an average player.

That essentially means the impact of Hyman?s poor shooting last season was about 13 fewer goals for while Matthews was on the ice, and likely several more primary assists.

If only the Leafs had a big bodied winger with decent scoring ability they could plug into the lineup without throwing off any of the other lines. What's that, they do? Josh Leivo, you say?

But Babcock invented coaching!!!!  Surely he can't make a mistake!!!!!

 

[hockeyfan1]

Hmmm. I'm surprised people aren't using this thread to comment on Matthews sophomore slump. His goal scoring is only 25% of what it was last year at this point in the season.

What, us, worry?  Nah, Matthews is just fine. 

 

[Zee]

Hmmm. I'm surprised people aren't using this thread to comment on Matthews sophomore slump. His goal scoring is only 25% of what it was last year at this point in the season.

His assists are way up after one game last year though.

 

[Mot the Barber]

When will his goalscoring slump end?  :-[

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/TheFlintor/status/916845074746630144

 

[OldTimeHockey]

That article had this gem that I posted in the GDT:

Matthews was held back offensively last year partially because of how often he played with Zach Hyman, who was either snake-bitten or seriously lacks in finishing talent, depending whom you ask. Matthews set up Hyman for more inner-slot scoring chances than any other two players combined for last season, on which Hyman cashed in just four times on 56 chances at even strength.

That 7.14 shooting percentage would be rough from that area anyway, where the average shot beats goalies 22.6 per cent of the time, but add in pre-shot movement and you?re looking at an expected shooting percentage around 30 per cent for an average player.

That essentially means the impact of Hyman?s poor shooting last season was about 13 fewer goals for while Matthews was on the ice, and likely several more primary assists.

If only the Leafs had a big bodied winger with decent scoring ability they could plug into the lineup without throwing off any of the other lines. What's that, they do? Josh Leivo, you say?

I'm not advocating for Hyman in anyway but do we really think that Leivo's skating is capable of keeping up with Matthews and Nylander?

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/TheFlintor/status/917567180111319042
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioneFXx-tG0

 

[hockeyfan1]

He made it look so easy.  Bless the man.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/iamToddyTickles/status/917755366879956992

 

[hockeyfan1]

https://twitter.com/iamToddyTickles/status/917755366879956992

Absolutely.

 

[disco]

https://www.facebook.com/sportstoysCanada/videos/489594084750701/?fref=gs&dti=397955953882384&hc_location=group