C Auston Matthews (2016, 1st, TOR) VII
- Thread starter Space Coyote
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- Apr 27, 2005
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phosphene*
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It's a toss up at best. Rielly will be playing #1 minutes from the start and will likely surpass 40 points in doing so, given what he did this past season. It would be hard for any rookie to supplant a bonafide 1D, but I digress. I'd say Matthews will be the best Leaf come 17-18, without a doubt.
figure
Registered User
Mo has a lot to prove before he can make a claim to that description.
He will, I'm certain, in the next 3 years. Next year he will continue to improve in all areas under Babcock, his confidence to make offensive zone plays will also grow, but he may not be a bonafide #1 D by the end of this season.
Here is hoping he will.
This Auston Matthews guy though, the more you watch him, the more you begin to believe the Leafs will finally succeed.
leaflover
Stanley Cup 2022
I watch pretty much every team at least a couple times per season and when it comes to playing a complete game Rielly is really really close to what you've stated. By the end of next season he'll be the real deal for sure. Too many fans restrict their viewing to the home boys so they won't recognize just how good his game is compared to the rest of the league.
BTW don't worry about me being prone to overrating Leafs prospects/players, they, like the other 29 teams prospects/players don't get undue credit from me, ever. He really is good enough.
Kamiccolo
Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is.
What makes him a #1? He's already one IMO. Some people will never say he is.
He plays the #1 D role for us, not just in minutes but he is facing top lines, puts up nearly 40 points on the worst offensive team I've seen in a long time, and he isn't a #1?
I'd say sure maybe his advanced stats can improve, but Gardiner has some of the best there is and most don't consider him more than a #4.
So what does he need to do? Score 50 points while doing that? That makes him a top 10 D. Surely there is a gap between a top D in the NHL and being a #1 D?
Face Of Bear
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- Jul 30, 2012
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He just doesnt have the same impact that true #1 D do.... that's not really debatable, and there is nothing wrong with that fact. If Rielly was really a bonafide #1 D, the Leafs would be more in line to make the playoffs then to finish last... but as of now that is not the case. Rielly currently has the abilities of a 3/4 whiling playing in a #1 role. That can change this season, but as of now you cant really make a strong case that he is already a #1 Dman.
As for Matthews. I keep seeing people say he is a 'jack-of-all-trades', and then use that to discredit his peak potential.
The truth is, Matthews is closer to a 'master-of-all-trades', which is why he is a special player and will be making an impact on the league as soon as next year.
And anyone who says he isn't flashy might as well just stop posting in threads about him. You clearly have never watched him play, or just know nothing about hockey.
Purity*
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- Jan 29, 2010
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Yeah this whole "Matthews isn't flashy" and "jack of all trades master of none" things really need to die already.
You know who else isn't "flashy?" Sidney Crosby. Does it make him any less of a gamebreaker? Hell no.
Matthews has a Sakic-like wrister along with top notch vision/IQ, he's got some flash to his game.
You know who else isn't "flashy?" Sidney Crosby. Does it make him any less of a gamebreaker? Hell no.
Matthews has a Sakic-like wrister along with top notch vision/IQ, he's got some flash to his game.
TDK67
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- Apr 17, 2016
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As much as I love Rielly, I agree with this. He's not impacting the Leafs the way a Subban/Karlsson/Doughty/Weber/etc impact their teams. I think his skill is at a #2/#3 level not #3/#4 but he's also just turned 22 and still has plenty of time to blossom into a true #1D. I also think Babcock will be a huge help to him in his development towards true #1 status.
Ditto on all of the Matthews stuff. He's closer to a "master-of-all-trades" than not. That's not to say he's some kind of generational talent (he's not) but people saying he's not particularly elite in any area clearly haven't seen enough of him.
Shot, stick handling, edge work, agility & IQ are all elite level already and comparable to most of the better players in the league.
phosphene*
Registered User
To add to my point, I've read comments from Edmonton fans about how Klefbom's absence was more damaging to their season than McDavid's was. Obviously more factors play into this, considering Edmonton has decent center depth, but the point remains. For a teenager in Matthews, as talented as he is, to come into the league and have a bigger impact on the game than your 1D just seems like a tall order. I'm nitpicking, but I'll give Rielly the nod as the best and most crucial Leaf for this coming season.
StuckOutHere
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TDK67
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Weber in his prime. Of course he's declined somewhat nowadays but he was a true #1 and one of the best in the league in his prime.
VictorLustig
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- Feb 8, 2012
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He still is. Crazy how the trade has all of a sudden turned him into #2 defenseman in some peoples eyes....
TDK67
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Sure, but I fully admit I'm not an expert on Weber's D reputation nowadays so idk. You and the guy I was responding to can hash that out since you seem to have opposing views.
StuckOutHere
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- Feb 10, 2010
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Matthews really seems to like that spinning move. I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes his trademark for losing defenders.
He said he was coming back up here a couple weeks ago. Practicing out in Vaughan?
Pyrophorus
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JadedLeaf
Registered User
The wording in this kind of makes me laugh a little
Yeah I know it's not an english account.
Think he's training with Belfry, which he would be doing regardless of what team he was drafted by. It is convenient though that Belfry is now a consultant to the Leafs, and is GTA based.
The rookie who received second most votes for the MVP award won the Rookie of the Year. Shocking.
Does anyone have a clip of the goal he got an assist on for Zurich, where he deked through a D-man's legs on the left side of the ice, kinda evaded the check and the puck was scored by a teammate. I don't think he passed it I think the puck just kinda found the scorer after the deke.
teravaineSAROS
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- Jul 29, 2015
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