Matthews is averaging 30 ESG in his first two seasons (28/30 this year)

[Bedards Dad]

Goalies can read him well and he's not much of a passer is my guess.

based on this post my guess is you have never seen him play.

 

[poolparty98]

So you have to crack PPG to be a #1 franchise C? Nope. Not based on what I see.

If you want to be an elite player, you need to be ppg as a minimum to start conversation. Matthews is not.

 

[MattySnipes]

Goalies can read him well and he's not much of a passer is my guess.

Possibly could be the issue this year, but last year his totals were 22 points on the PP broken up into 9 goals and 13 assists. So more assists than goals. Sometimes it's a matter of luck too. I think he'll rebound on the PP next year.

 

[paragon]

Goalies can read him well and he's not much of a passer is my guess.

I would guess north-south players who score on a rush a lot have a harder time scoring goals on PP which is generally a lot more east-west. Would explain also why McDavid is such a beast on EV, but has had relatively bad production on PP.

 

[poolparty98]

Another interesting point that was

 

[Bedards Dad]

I agree Mathews has 30 goals in 57 games and is elite. Mcdavid has 27 goals in last 29 games, not elite..I get it..

Mcdavid miles ahead at every aspect of game, speed, smarts, scoring. That’s why he is labeled as a generational player. He’s one of a kind. No slight against Matthews, he’s a nice player. Guy is over 80th in league scoring, he’s not close to being elite yet.

If that's what you believe that's cool, not worth arguing with a child. There has been enough of that junk on here.

 

[Yasuo]

I would guess north-south players who score on a rush a lot have a harder time scoring goals on PP which is generally a lot more east-west. Would explain also why McDavid is such a beast on EV, but has had relatively bad production on PP.

His ev on ice shooting % is 12.5 this is not sustainable at all.

 

[Brian McDavid]

lmao.

I have no bone to pick in this fight. If you think Drysaddle is on his level, then so be it. You're not upsetting me as I'm not a leafs fan. But keep going please.

PS. it was a joke, you know, sarcasm? Don't be an insecure Oilers fan. Lord knows we have enough of you guys on this board already

Lol. Leaf fans are hilarious.

And yes, Matthews is elite.

 

[Howard Chuck]

Imagine how much room for improvement some of these young players still have? McDavid, Matthews, Laine etc. There is an incredible amount of talent to watch over the next decade.

 

[authentic]

It really is baffling to me how he doesn't score at all on the powerplay. Maybe he takes JVR's spot in front of the net next year.

Not trying to detract from his even-strength abilities, it just seems weird that it comes easier to AM when there are more opponents on the ice.

Last season he had 21 PP points. This idea that he can't score well on the powerplay is false, this season it's more about how he's been used.

 

[Territory]

He should take JVR's spot next season on the PP.

He scores a ton of his goals right near the net and his hands are insane in close just like JVR. With Marner setting up Matthews instead of JVR he is going to score a ridiculous amount of goals on the PP.

But you never know with Babcock and he likes to spread out the talent for the PP so he might end up on the 2nd unit and get like 30 seconds per PP like he does this season.

 

[LeafFever]

If you want to be an elite player, you need to be ppg as a minimum to start conversation. Matthews is not.

Jonathan Toews?

 

[Plural]

What a player. He'll challenge Laine for the Rocket every year AND will challenge McDavid for Art several times when at his best.

 

[The Podium]

If you want to be an elite player, you need to be ppg as a minimum to start conversation. Matthews is not.

You are literally grasping at straws. He is currently at 0.95 P/GP despite playing fewer total minutes and PP minutes than any of the other elite around the league and missing 20 games to injury (injury hangover).

 

[Plural]

You are literally grasping at straws. He is currently at 0.93 P/GP despite playing fewer total minutes and PP minutes than any of the other elite around the league and missing 20 games to injury (injury hangover).

Isn't he 0.95PPG?

 

[MattySnipes]

If you want to be an elite player, you need to be ppg as a minimum to start conversation. Matthews is not.

Says who? you?

You're entitled to your opinion but don't try to pass it off as fact. That is not the ultimate standard for an elite player. A lot goes into a player's ability to be elite without points - albeit points play a solid role in the argument but it's not everything. Top top it off, you're acting like he's 0.34 PPG when he's very close to 1.0 PPG. He's currently at 0.95 PPG

 

[authentic]

Hes played one season lmao

Missed the arbitrary cutoff by one point too, damn. Now we have to wait until the end of next season until he is rewarded with hfboards elite status.

 

[Cor]

It’s gonna be crazy when he gets put on the top PP next season and scores 50 goals

 

[MattySnipes]

It’s gonna be crazy when he gets put on the top PP next season and scores 50 goals

Yea eh it really will. Even if that were to happen the haters would spin it into "He got TOP PP minutes of course he would score 50, anyone would! Now if he scored 50 ES goals that would be more impressive."

 

[authentic]

I agree Mathews has 30 goals in 57 games and is elite. Mcdavid has 27 goals in last 29 games, not elite..I get it..

Mcdavid miles ahead at every aspect of game, speed, smarts, scoring. That’s why he is labeled as a generational player. He’s one of a kind. No slight against Matthews, he’s a nice player. Guy is over 80th in league scoring, he’s not close to being elite yet.

How the hell does a rookie come 2nd in NHL goals, and be tied for the even strength goal lead in his first 2 seasons (the hardest and most valuable thing a player can do in the NHL) despite missing 20 games and not be considered elite? I could understand your position if he was a horrible defensive player or very poor in any other aspect of the game, but it's infact the complete opposite.

 

[McFlash97]

What a player. He'll challenge Laine for the Rocket every year AND will challenge McDavid for Art several times when at his best.

He might get lucky In a season or 2 , but he will not be outright challenging 97 if 97 is healthy. Rocket Richard he will definitely be on the radar every season he is healthy.

 

[Raging Bull]

What a player. He'll challenge Laine for the Rocket every year AND will challenge McDavid for Art several times when at his best.

Love Matthews but he won't challenge McDavid. He simply doesn't distribute the puck well enough to rack up assists like McDavid does.

 

[Slicknitty]

What a player. He'll challenge Laine for the Rocket every year AND will challenge McDavid for Art several times when at his best.

He'll probably give Laine a run for his money (I still think Laine is way better than him) but as long as Connor is healthy, there's just no chance of him competing with Connor for anything. McDavid is just light years ahead of him and everyone else.

 

[Deadly Dogma]

He might get lucky In a season or 2 , but he will not be outright challenging 97 if 97 is healthy. Rocket Richard he will definitely be on the radar every season he is healthy.

You guys are soooo insecure

 

[La Masse]

Goalies can read him well and he's not much of a passer is my guess.

Thats a pretty poor guess. If anything he’s overpassing on the PP