Your thoughts: Auston Matthews' performance at WCH

[supermann_98]

I wouldn't be surprised if he not only tops Eichel's production from a year ago (56 points), but if he topped Eichel THIS year head to head

 

[TheLeastOfTheBunch]

A+. One of the best players on that team, besides the fact that he doesn't have any NHL experience under his belt

 

[ForSpareParts*]

Auston Matthews is my life.

 

[TheLeafsBro]

His performance was outstanding. He distinguished himself from some of the top young stars in this league and hasn't played a single NHL game. That is only a feat that you would expect McDavid to do if the WCH started last year. Matthews looked better than Jack Eichel after a full year of being in the league. A+++

 

[6ix]

A+!!

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

A, he was a monster at both ends of the ice, he created so much offence was so responsible in his own end. I wanted to give him an A+ but to me an A+ is perfect or near perfect, I think he could have produced a little more if he had a few more points i would have given it to him. inb4 all the hate.

 

[Leafs at Knight]

Fantastic

 

[Moorpheus*]

Gretzky should start getting worried

 

[scooter87]

A+. As soon as we drafted him I posted that he is already the best player on the leafs and it is not even close.

Can't wait for the season to start.

 

[Christ]

A, he was a monster at both ends of the ice, he created so much offence was so responsible in his own end. I wanted to give him an A+ but to me an A+ is perfect or near perfect, I think he could have produced a little more if he had a few more points i would have given it to him. inb4 all the hate.

You are a cup is half empty kind of person I take it...

 

[Atomos2]

A solid A. He played very well. It's kinda funny how Team Europe is now in the finals when a bunch of Finnish fans said they were the easier competition in the pre exhibition games when Matthews looked so good against them.

 

[Charles Chuck Finley]

He was better than I hoped, despite being optimistic.

His two way game stood out for me. Not only being responsible defensively when his teammates are pinching or in deep, but actually being effective against top competition. The way he hunts the puck, combined with his anticipation and ability to clog up passing lanes, showed a high hockey IQ. Fits with Babcocks coaching style perfectly, imo.

When the speed of the NHL game slows down a little for him and he develops chemistry with his linemates, it's going to be good times.

 

[Nooodles]

A+. Guy hasn't even played his first shift in NHL and puck handles a legit top 10 defenseman like he is a CHL defneseman, for that move alone it's worth A+.

Yeah, on his knees...
This kid is just so special..I still can't believe he's ours. Voted A+ for sure.

 

[Raging Bull]

A+ despite playing a position he's not used to.

 

[Twist and Shout]

He was better than I hoped, despite being optimistic.

Pretty much - I would have been happy to see him simply look like he belonged, but he stood out as one of the better players.

 

[hullsy47]

To go from 13th forward to playing on the top line....ya full marks for sure. A+

i agree ,in fact u could say he made McDavid look better ,the guy just goes and gets pucks ,I think most of us would've settled for the 13 forward ,but the only team he doesn't make is likely TEAM CANADA .

 

[Larcos_Unal]

 

[al secord]

He's no Justin Applecater, but then again, who is?

 

[Nithoniniel]

He was terrific, all things considered. Don't quite agree with those saying he equaled McDavid, who I think was the clear driver on that line.

 

[SprDaVE]

Very very good and impressive. It wasn't perfect though.

A.

 

[Rogie]

A, he was a monster at both ends of the ice, he created so much offence was so responsible in his own end. I wanted to give him an A+ but to me an A+ is perfect or near perfect, I think he could have produced a little more if he had a few more points i would have given it to him. inb4 all the hate.

I'm with you. Don't like to be too liberal with A+. A is plenty plenty plenty good.

Perhaps had there not been an A- in the scale, I might of thought about A+ though.

 

[Sypher04]

Easy A+

Top line forward at 19 years old, without a single game of NHL experience and puts up 5 points in 6 games and better than just defensively responsible in a best on best international tournament. If we're talking performance vs expectations, I'm not sure how he doesn't get full marks.

 

[Sypher04]

He was terrific, all things considered. Don't quite agree with those saying he equaled McDavid, who I think was the clear driver on that line.

I agree about McDavid being the driver of the line, but FWIW, I believe that to be the case mostly because Auston Matthews was trying to play his role, more than because he couldn't have done it himself.

I also don't think it's unfair to look at what Matthews did in two-way play and say that puts his tournament showing on par with McDavid's. Not saying equal player, but I was as impressed with Matthews as anyone on the North American roster.

 

[ForSpareParts*]

I think people here are giving McDavid too much credit. He was alright, but not as a good as Matthews.

::yo

 

[Wafflewhipper]

That top line gets the A+ i would say. Matthews deking Hedman on one knee, the slap pass across the ice and goes to the net to score tough was intense compete. I smiled quietly watching that. Oh yeah.