Realistically, Which Calibre Of Centre Will Matthews Become?

[hector morrison]

Which caliber? 50 caliber ...as in consistently being a 50 goal scoring center! When I see him handle the puck in traffic and fire the puck as quickly and accurately as he does,I think the comparisons will be to that of the great goal scoring centers of modern times. So,the Yzerman , Sakic comparisons are in line. At times ,he does seem to be a bit more talented than even them .

 

[Tad Mikowsky]

I think Matthews is an elite center, fighting for for the second best center title with a slew of young centers like MacKinnon, Barkov or Eichel.

He needs to separate himself with a full season from those players.

He isn’t a generational player and he’ll never be better than McDavid but an elite/franchise player, like Tavares or Stamkos is about right.

 

[Jozay]

Better than gretzky

 

[Paperbagofglory]

no way

crosby went on to perfect his face off technique, 2 way play, goal scoring etc. Who cares anyhow

So now we are throwing statistics out the window to argue what if scenarios and probabilities? Is this quantum physics or hockey?

He had his best season and the team was much worse, he dominated the league. Something he only ever came close to again in 2009 when he scored 51 goals and won the Rocket. Those were his first 5 seasons in the league and he was 23 at the time. There is no argument, those were his best years. Some would say his peak.

 

[bionic]

I think Matthews is an elite center, fighting for for the second best center title with a slew of young centers like MacKinnon, Barkov or Eichel.

He needs to separate himself with a full season from those players.

He isn’t a generational player and he’ll never be better than McDavid but an elite/franchise player, like Tavares or Stamkos is about right.

This sounds about right, I agree.

 

[Bonzo111]

So now we are throwing statistics out the window to argue what if scenarios and probabilities? Is this quantum physics or hockey?

He had his best season and the team was much worse, he dominated the league. Something he only ever came close to again in 2009 when he scored 51 goals and won the Rocket. Those were his first 5 seasons in the league and he was 23 at the time. There is no argument, those were his best years. Some would say his peak.

ok sounds good!

 

[daver]

So now we are throwing statistics out the window to argue what if scenarios and probabilities? Is this quantum physics or hockey?

He had his best season and the team was much worse, he dominated the league. Something he only ever came close to again in 2009 when he scored 51 goals and won the Rocket. Those were his first 5 seasons in the league and he was 23 at the time. There is no argument, those were his best years. Some would say his peak.

Interesting.

First five years:

1 Art Ross
1 Hart
1 Lindsay
1 Rocket
Two other Top 3 Art Ross finishes

From 2013 to 2017:

1 Art Ross
1 Hart
2 Lindsays
1 Rocket
Four other Top 3 Art Ross finishes

 

[Laineux]

A top 5 center in the league through his prime, has a good chance to take some individual hardware like a couple of Rockets and a Hart trophy at his peak.

Sakic/Foppa tier.

 

[EdmFlyersfan]

Joe Juneau v2.0

 

[Gunnersaurus Rex]

Better than gretzky

Keith Gretzky? I agree.

 

[North Cole]

Interesting.

First five years:

1 Art Ross
1 Hart
1 Lindsay
1 Rocket
Two other Top 3 Art Ross finishes

From 2013 to 2017:

1 Art Ross
1 Hart
2 Lindsays
1 Rocket
Four other Top 3 Art Ross finishes

Is that 2012-13 or 2013-14 for the second group of years? He won his Lindsay's in 2012-13/2013-14 and also two Smythe's in that period. I don't think it's really debatable that the second group of years were his best.

 

[Frank Drebin]

Somewhere between kopitar and malkin.

 

[Gunnersaurus Rex]

I see him as a Mats Sundin type player. Top 10-15 player for most of his career. Good offensive player, just over a point per game for the peak of his career. But never quite being the best. No Art Ross, No Rocket Richards, No individual awards. No Stanley Cup.

 

[DRW204]

I see him as a Mats Sundin type player. Top 10-15 player for most of his career. Good offensive player, just over a point per game for the peak of his career. But never quite being the best. No Art Ross, No Rocket Richards, No individual awards. No Stanley Cup.

you don't see a Rocket in AM's future? He has the 6th most goals and 3rd best GPG since he's been in the league. Definitely has the capabilities of winning one. Won't argue with the Art Ross with McDavid around though but stranger things have happened...

 

[flamesforcup]

Toews with worse defense but more overatted

 

[LeafsNation75]

I see him as a Mats Sundin type player. Top 10-15 player for most of his career. Good offensive player, just over a point per game for the peak of his career. But never quite being the best. No Art Ross, No Rocket Richards, No individual awards. No Stanley Cup.

In Matthews rookie season he finished tied for 2nd in goals and was 4 goals behind Crosby the Rocket Richard. So he can win it if things work out.

You are also forgetting Matthews has won the Calder which last time I checked was an individual award.

 

[Frank Drebin]

If Matthews is as good as leafs fans advertise does that mean hes now the #1 centre on the team? If so then you should be worried because the #2 centre on the team makes around 11 million dollars. That could be a problem next season.

I would make it my best effort to convince the hockey world that hes not yet ready for the #1 mantle. Otherwise his agent might start believing the hype too.

Auston ain't taking a discount no matter what his title is.

His p1/60 is in the 12m per year range

 

[Frank Drebin]

In Matthews rookie season he finished tied for 2nd in goals and was 4 goals behind Crosby the Rocket Richard. So he can win it if things work out.

You are also forgetting Matthews has won the Calder which last time I checked was an individual award.

Hart/Ross/Lindsay/ > Rocket > selke > calder.

Imo of course

 

[LeafsNation75]

Hart/Ross/Lindsay/ > Rocket > selke > calder.

Imo of course

The Calder is still an individual award so saying Matthews will never win one is wrong.

 

[Frank Drebin]

The Calder is still an individual award so saying Matthews will never win one is wrong.

It is wrong, but i knew what he meant. In fact i almost posted the same thing.

 

[cupcrazyman]

Keep Hyman away from Matthews & the sky is the limit.

 

[LeafsNation75]

Keep Hyman away from Matthews & the sky is the limit.

Hyamn was moved to the line with Tavares and Marner.

 

[Byron Bitz]

I think he’ll fall into that second tier and when it’s all said and done he’ll have a similar career to Malkin, there’s an outside chance for him to be even better than that though which is exciting. It’s hard to put any kind of limitation on this kid.

 

[Frankie Blueberries]

The great Jeff Carter? No chance he becomes as good as the legend Jeff Carter, think more like Sam Gagner.

Let me know when Matthews wins two Cups and appears in three SCFs.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Which caliber? 50 caliber ...as in consistently being a 50 goal scoring center! When I see him handle the puck in traffic and fire the puck as quickly and accurately as he does,I think the comparisons will be to that of the great goal scoring centers of modern times. So,the Yzerman , Sakic comparisons are in line. At times ,he does seem to be a bit more talented than even them .

Oh for heavens sake!
Cool the hyperbole.
More talented than Sakic and Yzerman? A consistent 50 goal scorer?
Even Ovechkin, arguably the greatest goal scorer of all time doesn’t consistently score 50 goals. And Matthews is unlikely to be ever as good a goal scorer as Ovechkin.
It’s like some of you just started hockey two years ago.