Auston Matthews

[disco]

It seems pretty straight-forward Matthews would have more assists if his left-winger could finish. "Hasn't played all that well", "slumping". Give it a rest. A center has defensive responsibilities, face-offs... it's not all goals and assists. Auston doesn't need to "step it up". He's nineteen years old and just got drafted 8 months ago. Matthews is fine.

 

[Kin]

It seems pretty straight-forward Matthews would have more assists if his left-winger could finish. "Hasn't played all that well", "slumping". Give it a rest. A center has defensive responsibilities, face-offs... it's not all goals and assists. Auston doesn't need to "step it up". He's nineteen years old and just got drafted 8 months ago. Matthews is fine.

It really doesn't matter how you want to look at it, that Matthews doesn't have a point in 7 games is noteworthy and does represent a scoring slump.

 

[Bender]

While the slump is still on Matthews, he was scoring in spite of Hyman not because of him. I don't see how juggling a bad linemate would be a detriment. Should we not be looking at ways to get him out of his funk rather than keeping things as they are?

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

 

[Zee]

While the slump is still on Matthews, he was scoring in spite of Hyman not because of him. I don't see how juggling a bad linemate would be a detriment. Should we not be looking at ways to get him out of his funk rather than keeping things as they are?

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There's a huge gap between Matthews skill set and Hymans.  Sure the slump is on Matthews, but maybe he gets more offensive chances with a better winger on his side.  Just look at the Marner line points.

Marner 55
JVR 52
Bozak 47

Then look at Matthews and Hyman:
Matthews 55
Hyman 25

Something doesn't add up.  You shouldn't be outscoring your entire season linemate by 30 points.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

It seems pretty straight-forward Matthews would have more assists if his left-winger could finish. "Hasn't played all that well", "slumping". Give it a rest. A center has defensive responsibilities, face-offs... it's not all goals and assists. Auston doesn't need to "step it up". He's nineteen years old and just got drafted 8 months ago. Matthews is fine.

It really doesn't matter how you want to look at it, that Matthews doesn't have a point in 7 games is noteworthy and does represent a scoring slump.

And it's not as if it's entirely just a points thing. His shots and shot attempts per game rate have dropped off pretty dramatically too during this slump (all numbers 5-on-5):

	GP	iCF	iSF	iCF/60	iSF/60
Oct. to Feb.	62	287	179	19.64	12.25
February	14	71	43	21.34	12.92
March	7	18	11	10.51	6.43

For some perspective, Matthews led all players in shots on goal (aka iSF) at even-strength this season prior to March. He was first among forwards in shot attempts (aka iCF) too* In March he's tied for 169th in shots on goal.

So it's not as if he's playing the exact same game he was prior to this slump and the puck just isn't going in for him, like say Kadri during that stretch last season. There has been a noticeable drop in his play. It's not a reason to panic about his future or anything, but ignoring it doesn't really do anyone any good either.

* - I just wanted to point out how much of a freak Brent Burns has been this season. From October to March Burns was 2nd to Matthews in shots on goal, with 173 to Matthews' 179. But in shot attempts I mentioned that Matthews was only 1st among forwards. That's because Burns had ONE-HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN more shot attempts than Matthews did. 113 is the difference between 1st and 2nd in that stat. That's the same gap as between 2nd place and 119th.

 

[Kin]

It seems pretty straight-forward Matthews would have more assists if his left-winger could finish. "Hasn't played all that well", "slumping". Give it a rest. A center has defensive responsibilities, face-offs... it's not all goals and assists. Auston doesn't need to "step it up". He's nineteen years old and just got drafted 8 months ago. Matthews is fine.

It really doesn't matter how you want to look at it, that Matthews doesn't have a point in 7 games is noteworthy and does represent a scoring slump.

And it's not as if it's entirely just a points thing. His shots and shot attempts per game rate have dropped off pretty dramatically too during this slump (all numbers 5-on-5):

	GP	iCF	iSF	iCF/60	iSF/60
Oct. to Feb.	62	287	179	19.64	12.25
February	14	71	43	21.34	12.92
March	7	18	11	10.51	6.43

For some perspective, Matthews led all players in shots on goal (aka iSF) at even-strength this season prior to March. He was first among forwards in shot attempts (aka iCF) too* In March he's tied for 169th in shots on goal.

So it's not as if he's playing the exact same game he was prior to this slump and the puck just isn't going in for him, like say Kadri during that stretch last season. There has been a noticeable drop in his play. It's not a reason to panic about his future or anything, but ignoring it doesn't really do anyone any good either.

* - I just wanted to point out how much of a freak Brent Burns has been this season. From October to March Burns was 2nd to Matthews in shots on goal, with 173 to Matthews' 179. But in shot attempts I mentioned that Matthews was only 1st among forwards. That's because Burns had ONE-HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN more shot attempts than Matthews did. 113 is the difference between 1st and 2nd in that stat. That's the same gap as between 2nd place and 119th.

Burns should kind of be in the Hart discussion, no? I know it's a little crowded right now with Crosby-McDavid-Marchand but Burns is 8 points out of the scoring lead, a top 20 goal scorer and playing 25 minutes a game.

 

[Coco-puffs]

Burns should kind of be in the Hart discussion, no? I know it's a little crowded right now with Crosby-McDavid-Marchand but Burns is 8 points out of the scoring lead, a top 20 goal scorer and playing 25 minutes a game.

He should be for sure.  But it probably won't happen. Rarely do defensemen and goalies get the Hart thanks to Norris and Vezina trophies available for their positions.  Not saying it doesn't happen at all, but the chances are low.  I do agree he should be in the conversation more than he currently is though.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Burns should kind of be in the Hart discussion, no? I know it's a little crowded right now with Crosby-McDavid-Marchand but Burns is 8 points out of the scoring lead, a top 20 goal scorer and playing 25 minutes a game.

A couple of weeks ago I figured the top-3 would have been McDavid, Crosby, and Burns in some order for sure. But yeah Marchand has made things interesting.

 

[Frank E]

Last time a defenseman won the Hart was Chris Pronger in 2000.

 

[Kin]

He should be for sure.  But it probably won't happen. Rarely do defensemen and goalies get the Hart thanks to Norris and Vezina trophies available for their positions.  Not saying it doesn't happen at all, but the chances are low.  I do agree he should be in the conversation more than he currently is though.

When I say "Hart Conversation" I tend to less mean "Who will the dopey writers vote for" and more "Who is the Most Valuable Player?".

But to that end, I think the reason defensemen rarely finish highly in the Hart voting is because the highest scoring forwards usually outscore the highest scoring defensemen by 40-50 points.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Yeah, Hyman can't get the puck to anyone in scoring position and can't score when he's in a position to do so... but, other than that, I don't see how he has anything to do with Matthews's slump.

Hyman was on Matthews' wing when Matthews was scoring bunches so seems pretty straight-forward that the cause of Matthews slump can't be that Hyman is on his wing.

It's not just a matter of Matthews scoring goals...Hyman needs to score as well because if he can't, whats the point of Matthews passing him the puck. POS mentioned Hyman has 2 even strength goals in 41 games and that the last assist Matthews got on a Hyman goal was 3 months ago! That's not good enough. Do you honestly think Syd would have an inept winger like that for that long? Funny, when we drafted Matthews he wasn't known for being a shooter but I guess he's become one out of necessity.

 

[Coco-puffs]

Funny, when we drafted Matthews he wasn't known for being a shooter but I guess he's become one out of necessity.

That is categorically untrue.  Search Auston Matthews scouting report (ie, stuff from prior to this year) and you'll find:

"Prolific goal scoring ability and doesn't wait for opportunities to show themselves"

"He is a natural goal-scorer, has great playmaking abilities to boot, and is one of the better skaters available this year. ...
If one were to try and come up with a criticism, it is that he could use his shot more. He has a great release, and he seems tentative at times to use it. That's might even be a bit of a reach, because he doesn't exactly have a problem putting the puck in the net." 

"Matthews possesses an elite shot, probably one of best shots in the entire draft after Patrik Laine. He has scored many of his 24 regular season goals using his lightning quick release combined with accuracy and shot power."

That's from the first three links I found that were from prior to this season.

 

[Highlander]

He has to find his Mojo...and he will....

 

[jdh1]

He has to find his Mojo...and he will....

Yes ,the talent is there.I'm thinking he's experiencing a very long season for himself,as well as the other rookies. It's amazing to me that they are in the playoff race and just might get there...just amazing  that we are watching meaningful hockey this late in the season...If they get in somehow they should award rookie of the year to all 6 players and Anderson the MVP.

 

[princedpw]

It sure would be fun to see a

Kadri-Matthews-Nylander

line to break Matthews out of his slump. Perhaps

Hyman-Brown-Leivo

on the third line.

Yeah, I know it won't happen. Fun to imagine though.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/JeffVeillette/status/843244068406788096

 

[mr grieves]

Overall this season, Matthews has set Hyman up for 53 high danger chances that Hyman has put on net at five-on-five, the third-highest mark in the entire league after Connor McDavid and Matthews. Of those 53 high danger shots, Hyman has converted four of them. Considering that the expected shooting percentage from that area is 22.8 per cent, scoring on just 7.5 per cent of them is an incredible waste of opportunity.

Berkshire at http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-wingers-best-fit-play-auston-matthews/

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/846922189664407552
https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/846922384309391360

 

[slapshot]

Yeah, Hyman can't get the puck to anyone in scoring position and can't score when he's in a position to do so... but, other than that, I don't see how he has anything to do with Matthews's slump.

Hyman was on Matthews' wing when Matthews was scoring bunches so seems pretty straight-forward that the cause of Matthews slump can't be that Hyman is on his wing.

It's not just a matter of Matthews scoring goals...Hyman needs to score as well because if he can't, whats the point of Matthews passing him the puck. POS mentioned Hyman has 2 even strength goals in 41 games and that the last assist Matthews got on a Hyman goal was 3 months ago! That's not good enough. Do you honestly think Syd would have an inept winger like that for that long? Funny, when we drafted Matthews he wasn't known for being a shooter but I guess he's become one out of necessity.

I am not opposed to trying someone other than Hyman on Matthews line but I am not opposed to him staying there either, at least for this year.

Hyman seemed to set up Matthews a lot more earlier in the year before he'd scored anything himself. I remember often saying to myself that when Hyman went into the corner I was almost certain he would come out with the puck. In the new year I felt it was a little less certain he would win the puck battles, like maybe he was wearing done. But lately (last few games) he seems to be ramping up the grunt work again knowing that every game is going to count.

If the Leafs can hang on and get into the playoffs, I think Leaf fans are going to appreciate Hyman even more. He reminders me a lot of John Tonelli, a core member of the Islanders Cup teams. Tonelli first few years he was something like a 15-20 goal guy, but eventually got into the 30-40 range. We have to remember Hyman is still a rookie, even if an older one. Look at Bozak, he's just hitting career peak now and he is far more saavy and capable than he was as a 23-year-old rookie. Every successful team needs the Tonelli types. Hyman could very well work himself into 20-25 goal guy, whether playing with Matthews or elsewhere. He just has to replace some of his streaky rookie season with consistency. At least that's my take.

TSN's Patrick O'Sullivan needs to lighten up a bit, you'd think Hyman was Rickard Wallin or something.  It's not like O'Sullivan's 5 NHL teams in 6 years career was anything to rave about.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/846888438917808128