Eichel vs Matthews

Who would you take moving forward?


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nobody

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Aug 8, 2017
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Eichel up until this year has had arguably as good/ better linemates to this point in his career compared to Matthews, yet Matthews has kept pace with Eichel's production while being a hockey year younger. I think Auston is better both offensively and defensively than Eichel. Eichel is arguably a better playmaker (debatable). Both players are probably top 5 C for the next 10 years and I think you really can't go wrong with either. It's close but Auston is slightly better.
 

NyQuil

Big F$&*in Q
Jan 5, 2005
95,348
59,259
Ottawa, ON
I can't believe no one has compared these players before.

Seriously though, It's really close.

I think Eichel has to do more with less (at least in terms of the opposition keying on him specifically), but I'm also not overly impressed with his alleged meddling in team management.

I'll go with Matthews.
 

TheKrebsCycle

Throwing Confetti for Perfetti
Jun 1, 2011
6,383
1,984
Barrie
Matthews has been slightly better at every comparable stage of their careers while also being younger and better defensively. Eichels contract being longer helps bridge the gap somewhat but while its close Matthews has an edge in actual gameplay imo. Goal scoring is likely the most valued commodity in hockey and Matthews converts better than just about anyone (and since this is moving forwards an argument can be made hes the top guy if /when Ovi starts to slow down).
 
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authentic

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Jan 28, 2015
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Are we supposed to take into account contracts? Even then you want the better player and with the cap going up I don't think it would make that much of a difference anyway. Matthews is the better hockey player, but Eichel is not far behind.
 

canuckking1

Registered User
Feb 8, 2015
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Are we supposed to take into account contracts? Even then you want the better player and with the cap going up I don't think it would make that much of a difference anyway. Matthews is the better hockey player, but Eichel is not far behind.

Cap likely isn’t going up for 5-7 years. Don’t think contracts should matter unless you’re comparing value anyways.
 

Fataldogg

Registered User
Mar 22, 2007
12,380
3,660
Eichel.

But I have no problem with someone saying Matthews. Its very close.

Would love to see team USA in the Olympics with these guys as the top two centers.
 
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hamzarocks

Registered User
Jul 22, 2012
20,123
13,067
Pickering, Ontario
Like Nylander and Ehlers

Matthews and Eichel are nearly identical for me for on ice impact and long term value. Eichel has the better deal but Matthews was a bit better his ELC years and though his deal is too short in term for the caphit.

Both could be top 5 players as soon as next year if they take another step.

Voted Matthews cuz hes a leaf, but if there was too close to call option would go with that
 

Varan

Registered User
Nov 27, 2016
6,467
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Toronto, Ontario
These 2 are as equal as you can get. Flip a coin.

I'll personally take Eichel because of his playmaking and I just think he's more of a play driver than Matthews is.
 
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Alexander the Gr8

Registered User
May 2, 2013
31,602
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Toronto
Wow, great choice for a poll. This is as close as it gets IMO.

Gun to my head, Matthews. I’m a Caps fan, I can recognize a generational goal scorer when I see one.

Matthews is the best goalscorer since Ovechkin joined the league.

Eichel is super special, he reminds me more of Patrick Kane. Can make something happen just with his hands, his playmaking ability is outstanding, and obviously his shot is a laser.

Two nasty players here.
 

Team Cozens

Registered User
Oct 24, 2013
6,566
3,863
Burlington
Eichel up until this year has had arguably as good/ better linemates to this point in his career compared to Matthews, yet Matthews has kept pace with Eichel's production while being a hockey year younger. I think Auston is better both offensively and defensively than Eichel. Eichel is arguably a better playmaker (debatable). Both players are probably top 5 C for the next 10 years and I think you really can't go wrong with either. It's close but Auston is slightly better.
What??? Eichel has never had better line mates than Matthews.
 

nobody

Registered User
Aug 8, 2017
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What??? Eichel has never had better line mates than Matthews.
Eichel played with Olofsson and Reinhart as his most frequent linemates last season.
Eichel played with Jeff Skinner and Reinhart as his most frequent linemates in 2018-19.
Eichel played with Evander Kane and Reinhart as his most frequent linemates in 2017-18.
Eichel played with Marcus Foligno/Moulson/Kane/Okposo and Reinhart as his most frequent linemates in 2016-17.
Eichel played with Evander Kane and Reinhart as his most frequent linemates in 2015-16.

Sam Reinhart goals/point totals:
2015-16:23/ 42 P in 79 games
2016-17: 17/ 47 P in 79 games
2017-18: 25/ 50 P in 82 games
2018-19: 22/ 65 P in 82 games
2019-20: 22/ 50 P in 69 games

2015-16 Evander Kane totals (g/points): 20 G 35 Points in 65 games
2016-17 Foligno/Kane/Okposo/ Moulson: 74 G 143 Points in 296 games
2017-18 Evander Kane: 20 G 40 Points in 60 games
2018-19 Jeff Skinner: 40 G 63 Points in 82 games
2019-20 Victor Olofsson 20 G 42 Points in 54 games

Totals: Sam Reinhart to date: 109 Goals 254 Points in 391 games (82 game average 23 goals and 53 points)
Totals of the rest of the players: 174 Goals 323 Points in 557 games (82 game average 26 goals and 48 points)

Totals: 283 Goals 577 Points in 948 games (82 game average 25 Goals 50 Points)

Auston played with Zach Hyman and William Nylander as his most frequent linemates in 2016-17.
Auston played with Zach Hyman and William Nylander/ Connor Brown as his most frequent linemates in 2017-18.
Auston played with Kasperi Kapanen and Patrick Marleau/ Andreas Johnsson as his most frequent linemates in 2018-19.
Auston played with Andreas Johnsson/Hyman and Mitchell Marner as his most frequent linemates in 2019-20.

Zach Hyman 2016/17/18 totals: 25 Goals 68 Points in 164 games
Connor Brown 2017-18 totals: 14 Goals 28 Points in 82 games
William Nylander 2016/17/18 totals: 42 Goals 122 Points in 163 games
Kapanen 2018-19 totals: 20 Goals 44 Points in 78 games
Marleau/ AJ combo 2018-19 totals: 36 Goals 80 Points in 155 games
AJ/Hyman 2019-20 totals: 29 Goals 58 Points in 84 games
Mitchell Marner 2019-20 totals: 16 Goals 67 Points in 59 games

Totals: 182 Goals 467 Points in 785 games (82 game average 19 Goals 49 Points)

Without Marner Totals: 166 Goals 400 Points 726 games (82 game average 19 Goals 45 Points)




PPP
Eichel 40 G and 78 Assists for 118 Points in 354 games (82 game average 9 Goals 27 Points)
Matthews 37 Goals 42 Assists for 79 Points in 282 games (82 game average 11 Goals 23 Points)


Auston to this point in his career has done more with less on his line. Consistently under Babcock he would have to carry rookies like Nylander, Hyman, Kapanen, Brown and Johnsson. And a grizzled old vet in Marleau. This season was the first season he got to play with a PPG+ talent in Mitch Marner and even that didn't happen until half way through the season when Babcock started to get desperate and shake things up.

Eichel has a shittier team around him, I would absolutely agree to that. However, when it comes to having capable legitimate 1st line/ top 6 talent on his wings, the Sabres have done their best with the exception of one season to give him that. Matthews had the luxury of Nylander in a familiar face in his first 2 seasons but thanks to Nylander's holdout, he's been stumbling around with a revolving door of linemates since 2 years ago. This past season he had some stability. Eichel has had the luxury of having Reinhart on his line every single season and agree or not, he's not a terrible player for a former 2nd overall pick and he's a player that plays a solid 2 way game with good offensive ability who Eichel is comfortable playing with. If Matthews had the luxury of guys like Kane, Olofsson and Skinner who are capable goal scorers, his assist totals would definitely see a 5-10 points spike and we would be looking at a guy who's putting up close to 100-105 points over 82 games instead of one that was pacing for about 93-95, while still potting 50 goals. Eichel as great as he is simply doesn't have the ability to pot 50 and 100 points while playing with middle 6 talent. And this is before we discuss PPP.
 

DuncanMacpherson

Registered User
Apr 6, 2010
7,489
3,824
Are we supposed to take into account contracts? Even then you want the better player and with the cap going up I don't think it would make that much of a difference anyway. Matthews is the better hockey player, but Eichel is not far behind.
The caps going up? When
 
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