Matthews and Marner enter the “Top 5 Scorers” Club

[Busher]

With the regular season over now, Matthews and Marner are the two most recent Leafs to finish top 5 in points in a season. Which is, in my view, a key barometer which every great player must achieve at least once in their career. By my count, this has been done 45 times in Leafs’ history, and is only the 5th time in the last 50 years.

Auston Matthews 2021
Mitch Marner 2021
Mats Sundin 2002
Doug Gilmour 1994
Darryl Sittler 1978

Other Leafs’ notables to finish top 5:

Frank Mahovlich 1961, 1962, 1963
Ted Kennedy 1945, 1947, 1951
Max Bentley 1948, 1951
Gordie Drillon 1938, 1940, 1941
Syl Apps 1937, 1938, 1941
Busher Jackson 1932, 1933, 1935, 1937
Charlie Conacher 1931, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936
Joe Primeau 1932, 1934
Ace Bailey 1929, 1931
Babe Dye 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925
Harry Cameron 1922
Reg Noble 1918

Matthews and Marner are also the youngest to accomplish this feat since Frank Mahovlich in 1961. All three were 23 years old.

Suffice to say that after just 5 seasons, they are quickly climbing up the ranks of all-time Leafs’ greats. The fact they are so young means they have all the opportunities in the world to re-write the record books.

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[WillyC]

we are witnessing the 2 Greatest Maple Leafs of all time from the very beginning of their Toronto careers... the bar is raised for the next 100 years.

 

[Hclass47]

we are witnessing the 2 Greatest Maple Leafs of all time from the very beginning of their Toronto careers... the bar is raised for the next 100 years.

You mean until Mcjesus signs as a UFA

 

[keonsbitterness]

You mean until Mcjesus signs as a UFA

......when he's 37.

 

[Fogelhund]

You mean until Mcjesus signs as a UFA

He'll be 29 then... the year after Tavares current contract expires. The cap would certainly need to go up quite a bit for us to sign McDavid... or we don't resign Tavares.

I wonder if Marner and McDavid could play on the same team at that point?

 

[Mats13]

He'll be 29 then... the year after Tavares current contract expires. The cap would certainly need to go up quite a bit for us to sign McDavid... or we don't resign Tavares.

I wonder if Marner and McDavid could play on the same team at that point?

Tavares is going to be in his mid to late 30s by then. Why would you allocate cap to him over McDavid?

 

[Fogelhund]

Tavares is going to be in his mid to late 30s by then. Why would you allocate cap to him over McDavid?

How would you know McDavid is even a realistic option at that point?

 

[keonsbitterness]

Tavares is going to be in his mid to late 30s by then. Why would you allocate cap to him over McDavid?

I think the bigger issue in this hypothetical is that the Oilers would never let McDavid get to free agency at the end of his current deal. If they couldn't re-sign him, they'd trade him.

 

[Hclass47]

I think the bigger issue in this hypothetical is that the Oilers would never let McDavid get to free agency at the end of his current deal. If they couldn't re-sign him, they'd trade him.

trading him doesn’t prevent him becoming a UFA

 

[Hclass47]

Tavares is going to be in his mid to late 30s by then. Why would you allocate cap to him over McDavid?

JT at best would be a 3rd line center if he still has the legs or a winger. He’s made generational money already. I fully expect he gets the home town treatment and plays as long as he’s capable on a near minimum deal like all the other vets that have come in wanting to play here

 

[Hclass47]

He'll be 29 then... the year after Tavares current contract expires. The cap would certainly need to go up quite a bit for us to sign McDavid... or we don't resign Tavares.

I wonder if Marner and McDavid could play on the same team at that point?

Austin, what is your dream line to play with? Myself, McDavid and Patrick Kane
(insert Marner for Kane)

 

[keonsbitterness]

trading him doesn’t prevent him becoming a UFA

True, but no team would give up a huge package for McDavid unless they also had an agreement-in-principle with his agent, if not a signed contract.

 

[Hclass47]

True, but no team would give up a huge package for McDavid unless they also had an agreement-in-principle with his agent, if not a signed contract.

If he’s not resigning you get whatever assets you can recoup. Market will set its price. If they are in contention for the playoffs he may not get moved. But who cares what his trade value is as long as he ends up playing here

 

[Legion34]

My bet is JT signs a “spezza” (not leag min but super cheap) contract to stay. 34 is going to be ancient in 5 years. He will take what he can to play.

 

[keonsbitterness]

If he’s not resigning you get whatever assets you can recoup. Market will set its price. If they are in contention for the playoffs he may not get moved. But who cares what his trade value is as long as he ends up playing here

I don't see it. If not the Oilers, the league will pull strings to get him to a U.S. destination.

 

[leafsfan2point0]

Future Hall of Famers imo in the prime of their careers on the same team at the same time while being best buddy’s. Leafs need to capitalize

 

[DarkKnight]

Being a Marner “fan boy” is the best gig going.

 

[Nooodles]

I don't see it. If not the Oilers, the league will pull strings to get him to a U.S. destination.

The league can do whatever they want if McDavid wants to live his childhood dream like Tavares.

He will be a Leaf and everyone knows it.

 

[WillyC]

I believe Tavares signs his next contract at league min.... Matthews, Marner, and McDavid lock in long term with hometown deals.

If Matthews, Marner and Tavares win the Cup for Toronto... I predict McDavid will want to join them vs trying to dethrone them.

He's really going to feel it this year too, if the Leafs knock him out of the playoffs after his epic season.

Let's not forget, much like Tavares and Marner... McD also grew up a lifelong Leafs fan.

Matthews, Marner & McDavid could literally set the foundation for a Dynasty.

 

[zeke]

With the regular season over now, Matthews and Marner are the two most recent Leafs to finish top 5 in points in a season. Which is, in my view, a key barometer which every great player must achieve at least once in their career. By my count, this has been done 45 times in Leafs’ history, and is only the 5th time in the last 50 years.

Auston Matthews 2021
Mitch Marner 2021
Mats Sundin 2002
Doug Gilmour 1994
Darryl Sittler 1978

Other Leafs’ notables to finish top 5:

Frank Mahovlich 1961, 1962, 1963
Ted Kennedy 1945, 1947, 1951
Max Bentley 1948, 1951
Gordie Drillon 1938, 1940, 1941
Syl Apps 1937, 1938, 1941
Busher Jackson 1932, 1933, 1935, 1937
Charlie Conacher 1931, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936
Joe Primeau 1932, 1934
Ace Bailey 1929, 1931
Babe Dye 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925
Harry Cameron 1922
Reg Noble 1918

Matthews and Marner are also the youngest to accomplish this feat since Frank Mahovlich in 1961. All three were 23 years old.

Suffice to say that after just 5 seasons, they are quickly climbing up the ranks of all-time Leafs’ greats. The fact they are so young means they have all the opportunities in the world to re-write the record books.

So the first time the leafs have had 2 top 5 scorers in the same year since the time where the leafs had 1/6th of the players in the league on their team.

Not bad.

 

[BlueAzN]

Marner's still a locker room cancer. We should still look to trade him and Tavares this off-season

 

[Lightsol]

Marner's still a locker room cancer. We should still look to trade him and Tavares this off-season

 

[TheProspector]

we are witnessing the 2 Greatest Maple Leafs of all time from the very beginning of their Toronto careers... the bar is raised for the next 100 years.

I don't understand why this fanbase isn't utterly ecstatic. This is truly the best it's gonna get. 2 of the top 5 players in the league at the same time, a great supporting cast of young and veteran players. The greatest goal scorer of his generation -- probably going to end up better than Ovechkin, and has a shot at being the greatest goal scorer of all-time adjusted for era. A shot at the cup every year since these kids were rookies until they retire.

THIS IS IT, BOYS AND GIRLS. If you're not enjoying this, you need therapy. Whether we win it all or not. Good chance we do at least once. But it's hard, and requires a lot of luck.

 

[al secord]

Best duo since Kessel/Lupul

 

[tmlms13]

He'll be 29 then... the year after Tavares current contract expires. The cap would certainly need to go up quite a bit for us to sign McDavid... or we don't resign Tavares.

I wonder if Marner and McDavid could play on the same team at that point?

I think they're to similar of players to make it work like with Matthews.