- Bob_Zuruncle

She had to stop to squeeze the cheeks.

- Bob_Zuruncle

Nice push

Looking forward to the game tomorrow night where the best player on the ice will def not be a Leaf and that’s not really debatable any longer.😁
- PS600REVX

Or, to put it another way, that is really debatable, and the Leafs have more total talent anyway.

Hey Mike everyone asks me why I read the blog and now I know why.
You can't even remember the score of the last game. 4-2
- bobbyisno1

Or, to put it another way, that is really debatable, and the Leafs have more total talent anyway.
- Zezel

Matthews *was* the better player, easily.

He isn't now.

It’s starting to look like Eichel actually may be progressing into a more complete player than Matthews.

It’s obviously too early, but Jack is feeling it this year..

It’s crazy how the narrative around Matthews has changed so much.

In the first season we for sure thought he’d develop into a better two-way player than McDavid. And *if* he could also score 50 a season he could be *potentially* be a better player than McDavid.

I think by last season we realized he has a lot of work to do, but the whole situation was confusing because of other factors, ie coach/injuries etc. Now (after his contract) we’re left feeling underwhelmed by him because the shine is starting to fade.

My honest opinion, Marner is better. Matthews doesn’t have enough consistency to be an elite, elite superstar.

It’s starting to look like Eichel actually may be progressing into a more complete player than Matthews.

It’s obviously too early, but Jack is feeling it this year..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

The difference is that Eichel has progressed his game. Matthews, on the other hand, has regressed.

It will be interesting to see what the problem *was*, if we ever get an answer. I do not doubt that he will one day become the player we thought he would be. I doubt it is with the Leafs. Right now, it is tough to tell if the problem is that he is out of shape, not interested in playing for the Leafs, or if there is another problem like substance abuse or something in the room.

I would suggest maybe linemates, but that doesn't pass the sniff test when you watch him play. There is nothing to indicate that his linemates are letting him down.

Matthews *was* the better player, easily.

He isn't now.
- Aetherial

yes and every team that wins their first game of the season has a 1.00 winning percentage.

yes and every team that wins their first game of the season has a 1.00 winning percentage.
- winsix

Is Eichel the better player this year?
Was Matthews better in year 2, or this year?

It’s crazy how the narrative around Matthews has changed so much.

In the first season we for sure thought he’d develop into a better two-way player than McDavid. And *if* he could also score 50 a season he could be *potentially* be a better player than McDavid.

I think by last season we realized he has a lot of work to do, but the whole situation was confusing because of other factors, ie coach/injuries etc. Now (after his contract) we’re left feeling underwhelmed by him because the shine is starting to fade.

My honest opinion, Marner is better. Matthews doesn’t have enough consistency to be an elite, elite superstar.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

It appears as though Keefe also thinks this. The part about Marner being better.

Is Eichel the better player this year?
Was Matthews better in year 2, or this year?
- Aetherial

Tough comparison, and I don't see Eichel play nearly as often to give an accurate account. Noting my obvious bias, Matthews has 239 points in 246 NHL games and is a +23 , Eichel has 307 points in 320 games and is a -51. Relatively even stats, but it should be noted - Leafs have had significant injuries to key players this season, and most importantly - Matthews' slow start might have something to do with his off-ice baloney. I'll take Matthews all day over Eichel, that said, Eichel is a very good player. Ugly (frank)er but very good.

The difference is that Eichel has progressed his game. Matthews, on the other hand, has regressed.

It will be interesting to see what the problem *was*, if we ever get an answer. I do not doubt that he will one day become the player we thought he would be. I doubt it is with the Leafs. Right now, it is tough to tell if the problem is that he is out of shape, not interested in playing for the Leafs, or if there is another problem like substance abuse or something in the room.

I would suggest maybe linemates, but that doesn't pass the sniff test when you watch him play. There is nothing to indicate that his linemates are letting him down.
- Aetherial

I think they’re just in over their heads.

For the first three seasons, they were the underdogs, they played for each other and weren’t criticized as much because they were winning enough. But now that they’ve been paid, the expectations have changed.

This entire time I’ve been critical of Nylander, is because he doesn’t pass my eye-test. I see him not doing all the little things right, and it’s frustrating. He LOVES to get the puck and try to do something pretty with it, but he gives it away 50 times for every nice play he makes. He only goes to the easy areas, he doesn’t battle, he doesn’t seem to care about his teammates at all.

Matthews *was* the better player, easily.

He isn't now.
- Aetherial

They'll both have ups and downs as their careers go along.

I recall Marner was the whipping boy earlier this season, now he's the best. So it goes.

I think they’re just in over their heads.

For the first three seasons, they were the underdogs, they played for each other and weren’t criticized as much because they were winning enough. But now that they’ve been paid, the expectations have changed.

This entire time I’ve been critical of Nylander, is because he doesn’t pass my eye-test. I see him not doing all the little things right, and it’s frustrating. He LOVES to get the puck and try to do something pretty with it, but he gives it away 50 times for every nice play he makes. He only goes to the easy areas, he doesn’t battle, he doesn’t seem to care about his teammates at all.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I honestly don't even remember if he played last game.

It’s starting to look like Eichel actually may be progressing into a more complete player than Matthews.

It’s obviously too early, but Jack is feeling it this year..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Jack still has Garfunkle hair.

Is Eichel the better player this year?
Was Matthews better in year 2, or this year?
- Aetherial

Will Eichel ever partake in a playoff game?

Leafs should have gotten Hall! Nylander isn't half the player that guy is!

Leafs should have gotten Hall! Nylander isn't half the player that guy is!
- Aaron_85

And Hall will only want 8 years/10 million per.

It’s crazy how the narrative around Matthews has changed so much.

In the first season we for sure thought he’d develop into a better two-way player than McDavid. And *if* he could also score 50 a season he could be *potentially* be a better player than McDavid.

I think by last season we realized he has a lot of work to do, but the whole situation was confusing because of other factors, ie coach/injuries etc. Now (after his contract) we’re left feeling underwhelmed by him because the shine is starting to fade.

My honest opinion, Marner is better. Matthews doesn’t have enough consistency to be an elite, elite superstar.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

the gap between matthews and marner is larger than the gap between marner and nylander

And Hall will only want 8 years/10 million per.
- RogerRoeper

Dubas can make it happen! Former MVP! Knows how to get it done!

Looking forward to the game tomorrow night where the best player on the ice will def not be a Leaf and that’s not really debatable any longer.😁
- PS600REVX

Are we playing the oilers again?

Anyone thinking Eichel is somehow now better then Matthew's is crazy, Eichel has had a good year so far, but talk about small sample size.

Would anyone seriously even consider trading Matthew's for Eichel??

Leafs should have gotten Hall! Nylander isn't half the player that guy is!
- Aaron_85

Not right now no, agreed.
But hall will cost too much.
Besides, the leafs could sign hall in the off season, move willie and other cash out for a dman if they so choose and save the prospects.
No sense trading willie for hall.

the gap between matthews and marner is larger than the gap between marner and nylander
- daeth

Lol, ur cray.

Marner
Matthews
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Nylander