Do you consider Matthews a 'Generational' player or talent?

[abo9]

No goalies?


Carey Price? What about Defenseman?

I'm a big Price homer and no... just not enough longevity to make it. Erik Karlsson was the closest to a generational defenseman in the Cap era, and same issue - longevity is just not there.

I don't think there's been a generational goalie since the Roy/Hasek days. I mean, no goalie stood out like a McDavid.

Defensemen are the same, which D in the past 17 years had you go "Oh my, this guys is the clear cut best player in the NHL". Only one that came close was Karlsson.

Idk why that is, perhaps it's just a byproduct of most players being forwards and it's simply a probability act?

 

[norrisnick]

I'm a big Price homer and no... just not enough longevity to make it. Erik Karlsson was the closest to a generational defenseman in the Cap era, and same issue - longevity is just not there.

I don't think there's been a generational goalie since the Roy/Hasek days. I mean, no goalie stood out like a McDavid.

Defensemen are the same, which D in the past 17 years had you go "Oh my, this guys is the clear cut best player in the NHL". Only one that came close was Karlsson.

Idk why that is, perhaps it's just a byproduct of most players being forwards and it's simply a probability act?

If you completely disregard Lidstrom maybe.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

I think Matthews is a Malkin/Sakic level player. "Elite" and "franchise" labels don't do enough justice in describing how good these players are, but are they generational? I guess it's ultimately semantics and your interpretation.

if you were the Leafs or anyother team and Matthews were to leave your organization, you could go decades before (if you ever do) acquire another player who adds as much value as he did on the ice

 

[Rob Brown]

I think Matthews is a Malkin/Sakic level player. "Elite" and "franchise" labels don't do enough justice in describing how good these players are, but are they generational? I guess it's ultimately semantics and your interpretation.

if you were the Leafs or anyother team and Matthews were to leave your organization, you could go decades before (if you ever do) acquire another player who adds as much value as he did on the ice

Yeah, he's generational for the Leafs franchise. Likely going to go down as the best player in franchise history.

 

[abo9]

If you completely disregard Lidstrom maybe.

He was 35 at the start of the cap era so I kind of did but Lidstrom totally is

 

[BlueBaron]

You’re really counting him scoring 32 in 48 games and leading the entire league as “dropping off”?

No. The years in question had 78 and 79 games if I recall. Give or take.

 

[zar]

I would not put him there… yet. He can definitely get there.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

While Matthew might never win the Art Ross, McDavid will never will the Rocket. He is not a generational goal scorer.

I think it's a bit questionable to say McDavid will never win the Rocket. McDavid's in the same boat as Crosby where both are more known for their playmaking ability, but they're also good enough at scoring goals to be a double threat.

Crosby won 2 Rockets in seasons he probably had a bit more puck luck than in most of his seasons, so I don't see why McDavid wouldn't be able to have something similar happen where he has one or two of those seasons where everything he directs at the net just happens to go in.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

While Matthew might never win the Art Ross, McDavid will never will the Rocket. He is not a generational goal scorer.

I wouldn't rule that out. He's a very capable goal scorer. Crosby has two rockets for example.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

I think it's a bit questionable to say McDavid will never win the Rocket. McDavid's in the same boat as Crosby where both are more known for their playmaking ability, but they're also good enough at scoring goals to be a double threat.

Crosby won 2 Rockets in seasons he probably had a bit more puck luck than in most of his seasons, so I don't see why McDavid wouldn't be able to have something similar happen where he has one or two of those seasons where everything he directs at the net just happens to go in.

It’s just as questionable as claiming AM will never win an Art Ross…

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

It’s just as questionable as claiming AM will never win an Art Ross…

I didn't say otherwise? I quoted that guy who listed Matthews as a "might never" and McDavid as a "will never".

 

[nbwingsfan]

No. The years in question had 78 and 79 games if I recall. Give or take.

Sooo you’re saying two bad seasons in a 7 year sample? Interesting.

 

[cannucky]

He already scored a lot of goals before last season with most being a 50+ while also leading the league in goals per 60 since he entered the league.

Try harder.

He still can' t drive a line on his own and make his linemates better .

Say Less .

 

[Cleatus]

Potential generational goal-scorer (like Ovi), but needs more playoff success (and Rockets) to reach those heights.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

He still can' t drive a line on his own and make his linemates better .

Say Less .

lmao

 

[Habano]

Matthews has shown improvement every year. 259 goals in his first 6 seasons. He's only 25 and just entering his prime. Whatever word we use to describe him, the kid is definitely top 3-5 in the league right now. He could easily become top 1 or 2 if he continues this pace.

Btw, I'm a Hab fan and it's very difficult for me to compliment a Leaf but, let's give the kid the credit he deserves.

 

[BlueBaron]

Sooo you’re saying two bad seasons in a 7 year sample? Interesting.

Lol. It was said he had a dip, not that he had an extensive collapse. This is why it is two years.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Lol. It was said he had a dip, not that he had an extensive collapse. This is why it is two years.

You’re the one who included his 32G in 48 games as a “dip”, not me.

 

[Randyne]

So you don't think suddenly dipping to 5 30sh goal seasons the following 7 years is falling off? including two straight after the time you reference. Let's agree to disagree.

what?
In 17 years Ovi has only two 30sh goal seasons. In other 3 he paced 55, 44 and 40 goals.

 

[McAsuno]

The word 'generational' gets thrown around here as much as 'quietly.'
But no, Matthews is NOT generational.

 

[lionsDen]

Good question, you could persuade me either way. And I don’t think either answer is a insult.

 

[topshelf15]

Do you consider Kevin Lowe generational? Daniel Alfredsson?

Guy Carbonneau,would have proven your point as well...lol

 

[The90]

lmao

Good way to show he doesn’t have a clue what he’s talking about though isn’t it?

 

[Took a pill in Sbisa]

Was Pavel Bure generational? Or was he an elite goal scorer?

 

[Evergreen]

No. I’d place him in the tier just below.