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.
- Aetherial

You'd be nuts IMO, this is all based on half a season? Matthew's has been better then Eichel since he came into the league, watch for Eichels play to taper off the second half

You'd be nuts IMO, this is all based on half a season? Matthew's has been better then Eichel since he came into the league, watch for Eichels play to taper off the second half
- Archaic

Eichel is rocking it right now...and he plays in every situation. One more year of NHL experience is showing.

- winsix

*The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of multiple NHL teams taking an interest in signing the Kontinental Hockey League’s top goaltender, Sportsnet has learned.

Ak Bars Kazan’s Timur Bilyalov, who was never drafted into the NHL, has lit it up in Russia this season, posting an eye-popping .957 save percentage, six shutouts and a 1.10 goals-against average — league bests, all.

He holds a 10-1-2 record in 16 games played.

Bilyalov, 24, snapped a KHL record in November by going 316 minutes and nine seconds without surrendering a goal.*

Woot! Go Leafs Go!!!

You'd be nuts IMO, this is all based on half a season? Matthew's has been better then Eichel since he came into the league, watch for Eichels play to taper off the second half
- Archaic

I'd like to add that Eichel has one more year of acclimation and maturity.

There's a bunch of people who are looking at the 4pts in his last 9gp, and letting that sway his overall play. It's insipid.

He doesn't work well with Kapanen. For that matter - NO ONE really works well with Kapanen. Give him a good outlet passer and just let him go. Kerfoot would probably compliment him.

No one is going to work very well with Aberg. So in the past few games, he's had Kapanen and Aberg as linemates - which given the lack of chemistry with Kap or the lack of any redeeming quality for Aberg is basically like being shorthanded for all intents and purposes.

If Mikheyev works with Tavares and Marner, then put him there and give Matthews & Nylander Hyman back. Otherwise swap it.

I bet you'd see a lot more production.

I'd like to add that Eichel has one more year of acclimation and maturity.

There's a bunch of people who are looking at the 4pts in his last 9gp, and letting that sway his overall play. It's insipid.

He doesn't work well with Kapanen. For that matter - NO ONE really works well with Kapanen. Give him a good outlet passer and just let him go. Kerfoot would probably compliment him.

No one is going to work very well with Aberg. So in the past few games, he's had Kapanen and Aberg as linemates - which given the lack of chemistry with Kap or the lack of any redeeming quality for Aberg is basically like being shorthanded for all intents and purposes.

If Mikheyev works with Tavares and Marner, then put him there and give Matthews & Nylander Hyman back. Otherwise swap it.

I bet you'd see a lot more production.
- Monkeypunk

I concur

Matthews is 8th in the league in goals. Leads the team in points and has a better +- than marner Tavares and rielly. Some of you guys have pretty ridiculous expectations

*The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of multiple NHL teams taking an interest in signing the Kontinental Hockey League’s top goaltender, Sportsnet has learned.

Ak Bars Kazan’s Timur Bilyalov, who was never drafted into the NHL, has lit it up in Russia this season, posting an eye-popping .957 save percentage, six shutouts and a 1.10 goals-against average — league bests, all.

He holds a 10-1-2 record in 16 games played.

Bilyalov, 24, snapped a KHL record in November by going 316 minutes and nine seconds without surrendering a goal.*

Woot! Go Leafs Go!!!
- Woderwick

I hope he’s friends with Mikheyev, and not Zaitsev.

*The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of multiple NHL teams taking an interest in signing the Kontinental Hockey League’s top goaltender, Sportsnet has learned.

Ak Bars Kazan’s Timur Bilyalov, who was never drafted into the NHL, has lit it up in Russia this season, posting an eye-popping .957 save percentage, six shutouts and a 1.10 goals-against average — league bests, all.

He holds a 10-1-2 record in 16 games played.

Bilyalov, 24, snapped a KHL record in November by going 316 minutes and nine seconds without surrendering a goal.*

Woot! Go Leafs Go!!!
- Woderwick

Read that earlier. But his contract doesn't end till after the season. But I guess that doesn't always mean anything...

Read that earlier. But his contract doesn't end till after the season. But I guess that doesn't always mean anything...
- Buck Norris

I'm good with next year...if the guy is legit.

I hope he’s friends with Mikheyev, and not Zaitsev.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Zaitsev has no friends.

You'd be nuts IMO, this is all based on half a season? Matthew's has been better then Eichel since he came into the league, watch for Eichels play to taper off the second half
- Archaic

I think you are underestimating Eichel, and giving Matthews way too much credit.

Matthews is 8th in the league in goals. Leads the team in points and has a better +- than marner Tavares and rielly. Some of you guys have pretty ridiculous expectations
- Ravenz93

Great even strength. Great on faceoffs. Always on the plus side of giveaways takeaways.
Compare his stat line to the other young centres. The Matthews critics really should take the time to do that.

I'd like to add that Eichel has one more year of acclimation and maturity.

There's a bunch of people who are looking at the 4pts in his last 9gp, and letting that sway his overall play. It's insipid.

He doesn't work well with Kapanen. For that matter - NO ONE really works well with Kapanen. Give him a good outlet passer and just let him go. Kerfoot would probably compliment him.

No one is going to work very well with Aberg. So in the past few games, he's had Kapanen and Aberg as linemates - which given the lack of chemistry with Kap or the lack of any redeeming quality for Aberg is basically like being shorthanded for all intents and purposes.

If Mikheyev works with Tavares and Marner, then put him there and give Matthews & Nylander Hyman back. Otherwise swap it.

I bet you'd see a lot more production.
- Monkeypunk

If Matthews put in some effort on D, and looked like his linemates were letting him down, I could buy this argument. It doesn't look like that. It looks like he floats as as much as Nylander and is just as soft. It looks like he doesn't give a poop most nights.

Matthews is 8th in the league in goals. Leads the team in points and has a better +- than marner Tavares and rielly. Some of you guys have pretty ridiculous expectations
- Ravenz93

Now do his numbers for the last 2 months.

It isn't the numbers. It is the effort that is problematic.

I'm good with next year...if the guy is legit.
- Woderwick

I'd put a Jiri Crha shooter-tutor in the backup role at this point.

I think you are underestimating Eichel, and giving Matthews way too much credit.
- Aetherial

If you look at all the previous years minus this one it's pretty obvious, you sound like a bit of matthews hater

Mike Augello: Barrie skates, Sandin heading to Europe, roster moves galore
- mikeinbuffalo

i have a couple of ideas after the government
confiscates everyone’s money and uses some of it to sell back food and water to them and uses the rest to start 3 nasa programs:

1. capture giant comets, which are flying all around the solar system and shoot them into the sun to cool it off
police up the ice caps and do the same with them since they present an existential flooding threat

2.build giant rockets in strategically placed areas around the globe which will push the earth’s orbit closer to or farther from the sun, depending upon what the temperature is doing

3. provide every global citizen with carbon filters that can be worn and capture all of our exhales and farts.
obviously, livestock and pet variations will need to be developed so more taxes will need to be levied for global government research

4.trade greedy willi and barrley for some sandpaper 👍

I'd like to add that Eichel has one more year of acclimation and maturity.

There's a bunch of people who are looking at the 4pts in his last 9gp, and letting that sway his overall play. It's insipid.

He doesn't work well with Kapanen. For that matter - NO ONE really works well with Kapanen. Give him a good outlet passer and just let him go. Kerfoot would probably compliment him.

No one is going to work very well with Aberg. So in the past few games, he's had Kapanen and Aberg as linemates - which given the lack of chemistry with Kap or the lack of any redeeming quality for Aberg is basically like being shorthanded for all intents and purposes.

If Mikheyev works with Tavares and Marner, then put him there and give Matthews & Nylander Hyman back. Otherwise swap it.

I bet you'd see a lot more production.
- Monkeypunk

I'd like to see Matthew's with Hyman or Mikeyev, Johnsson and the bit parts simply have not worked

If you look at all the previous years minus this one it's pretty obvious, you sound like a bit of matthews hater
- Archaic

Do ya think?

Read that earlier. But his contract doesn't end till after the season. But I guess that doesn't always mean anything...
- Buck Norris

But he’s 5 foot 8 inches tall???

*The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of multiple NHL teams taking an interest in signing the Kontinental Hockey League’s top goaltender, Sportsnet has learned.

Ak Bars Kazan’s Timur Bilyalov, who was never drafted into the NHL, has lit it up in Russia this season, posting an eye-popping .957 save percentage, six shutouts and a 1.10 goals-against average — league bests, all.

He holds a 10-1-2 record in 16 games played.

Bilyalov, 24, snapped a KHL record in November by going 316 minutes and nine seconds without surrendering a goal.*

Woot! Go Leafs Go!!!
- Woderwick

Meh

I remember some guy we called ‘monster’... was supposed to be the best goalie outside the NHL... that worked out well..

If you look at all the previous years minus this one it's pretty obvious, you sound like a bit of matthews hater
- Archaic

a bit?



He seems smug, arrogant and lazy. Mostly though, I don't think he wants to play here.

I hope I am wrong. I really thought this team was finally turning into a contender. Starting to look shaky to me now with Matthews and Nylander

If Matthews put in some effort on D, and looked like his linemates were letting him down, I could buy this argument. It doesn't look like that. It looks like he floats as as much as Nylander and is just as soft. It looks like he doesn't give a poop most nights.
- Aetherial

Matthews defensive numbers are really good. A fans eye test isn’t worth a (frank). When teams are looking for scouts I don’t think knowledgeable fans need apply.

Do ya think?
- shack67

Honestly, I didn't used to be. No question I am now

Kadri’s gon Kadri

What a bad penalty to take

Definite suspension coming for Kerfoot