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

Matthews has been one of the best goal scorers in the league since he was 18 and he's the youngest guy on the team.

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

Not at all.


Unless you strictly mean scoring goals only, then i agree. Matthews has a CRAZY wrist shot.

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 is having a good year, for sure.
Matthews isnt having a bad year.

He floats a little and needs to do more without the puck, but im not ready to move jack ahead of matthews just yet.

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.
- Fakepartofme

I'm just trolling for conversation

I'm just trolling for conversation
- Aaron_85

Damn you.

Lol
Got me.

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.
- winsix

Good post Win.

I hate Eichel. I think Ultimately Matthews will be better. If there is something wrong, they need to figure it out.

I don't think the off-ice stuff is the problem, unless it is also a symptom of a bigger problem. Matthews had a very good start to this season.

Jack still has Garfunkle hair.
- RogerRoeper

Faulk has beena nice add for the blues

Matthews has been one of the best goal scorers in the league since he was 18 and he's the youngest guy on the team.
- Zezel

Yeah I know.

But his role has changed, he’s getting heavier minutes. I don’t know what’s up with him, but he seems to have stopped progressing. He can score, we all know that. But he has to do more at both ends of the ice.

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??
- Archaic

Eichel is better, right now.

Trading them would be a very tough call. As of what kind of players they look like, absolutely I do that trade. From the perspective of what the players *could* be, I have to keep Matthews.

If we are considering contracts, I trade Matthews for Eichel all day long.

Not at all.


Unless you strictly mean scoring goals only, then i agree. Matthews has a CRAZY wrist shot.
- Fakepartofme

Best wrist shot I have ever seen. I can't even think of anyone close.

Let's all remember that Matthews is the fastest to 100 goals since some guy named Ovechkin, and he took one additional game to do it. Matthews is a beast.

Yeah I know.

But his role has changed, he’s getting heavier minutes. I don’t know what’s up with him, but he seems to have stopped progressing. He can score, we all know that. But he has to do more at both ends of the ice.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Agreed, he needs to do more.
But you cant expect a player to progress in every area every year. Some things take time.

Agreed, he needs to do more.
But you cant expect a player to progress in every area every year. Some things take time.
- Fakepartofme

This

Let's all remember that Matthews is the fastest to 100 goals since some guy named Ovechkin, and he took one additional game to do it. Matthews is a beast.
- Zezel

At scoring goals, yes hes great.
I believe they are talking about other important areas of a players game.
Which takes time.

Let's all remember that Matthews is the fastest to 100 goals since some guy named Ovechkin, and he took one additional game to do it. Matthews is a beast.
- Zezel

I’ll call him a beast when he wins a Hart or Richard trophy.

He can score. Regardless of what he did prior to signing his 11.6mil contract, since he did he hasn’t lived up to it. I think he’ll be fine, he’ll get his cookies, maybe even hit a new high this year, but he’s not in the top 10 this year players rn I don’t think. But to be fair, Nylander sucks and isn’t doing anything to help.

Oh sh!t, NJ retains 50% of halls salary.

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

Yup.

Looks hungover most games imo.

Timur Bilyalov

Leafs goalie tandem woes are over.

Damn you.

Lol
Got me.
- Fakepartofme

It worked!

Hall isn't in the realm of what the leafs need or want right now. There isn't a point in that deal as of today.

Oh sh!t, NJ retains 50% of halls salary.
- Fakepartofme

Right? Lol.

Oh sh!t, NJ retains 50% of halls salary.
- Fakepartofme

That's a no brainer- they have $9 Million in cap space. Great trade for NJ. Got a first rounder, a third rounder a 6'6" d-man a centre picked late in the first round (two picks and two legit prospects) and NJ was going nowhere this year. Nice haul for Hall.

I popped a viagara

Timur Bilyalov

Leafs goalie tandem woes are over.
- Woderwick

Leafs over Stars in 6