Leafs @ Devils - Feb. 1st, 7:00pm - TSN4, Fan 590

[Redleaf]

Matthews hit 400 points last night.  He's 3 goals away from hitting top 10 in Leafs history.  Currently sits 20th in total points and could get as high at getting into the top 15 (passing Clark 441, Gilmour at 452 and a real outside shot at Tim Horton 458 and Lanny McDonald 459)

We fawn over him but we don't do it enough.

I have never seen a Leafs player as talented as him.  Sundin was close, but Matthews is just a rung up on Sundin.  Where Sundin would have flashes where you could say he was one of the top 5 players in the League, Matthews has flashes where he is in the conversation for one of the top 2 or 3 and normally safely within the top 5.

Agreed. Like, who's above Matthews in the NHL pecking order? McDavid for sure. Do you put Draisaitl above him? MacKinnon? I'm not sure who ranks higher tbh.

And I've always thought goals should be valued higher than assists, so if your comparing someone by points , I think you need to consider the goal column more than the assist column.

 

[Kin]

I have never seen a Leafs player as talented as him.  Sundin was close, but Matthews is just a rung up on Sundin.  Where Sundin would have flashes where you could say he was one of the top 5 players in the League, Matthews has flashes where he is in the conversation for one of the top 2 or 3 and normally safely within the top 5.

I wish we got to see Sundin with a comparable level of talent around him and under a more modern, open game. Matthews is the best finisher I've ever seen on the Leafs but Sundin was maybe just a notch below and, to my mind, more of a playmaker. Watching Sundin at the 2002 Olympics, to me, confirmed that he 100% should have been in the conversation for top 5 player in the world at the time.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Can?t wait to watch the 3rd period tonight.

 

[L K]

On the other side of that country, why the constant obsession from the media to debate Matthews leaving for Arizona. 

Why not a 24/7 when does McDavid ditch Edmonton for Toronto discussion.  It?s so bizarre to me that we have frequent speculation on that topic. 

 

[Highlander]

On the other side of that country, why the constant obsession from the media to debate Matthews leaving for Arizona. 

Why not a 24/7 when does McDavid ditch Edmonton for Toronto discussion.  It?s so bizarre to me that we have frequent speculation on that topic.

You think McDavid doesn't want to come home like Johnny T.?  He looks a bit miserable out there in Edmonton even with the heated driveway.  How can we afford Mitch, McDavid and Matthews, not to mention the raise Nylander is going to be looking for on his next deal.

 

[ZBBM]

I have never seen a Leafs player as talented as him.  Sundin was close, but Matthews is just a rung up on Sundin.  Where Sundin would have flashes where you could say he was one of the top 5 players in the League, Matthews has flashes where he is in the conversation for one of the top 2 or 3 and normally safely within the top 5.

I wish we got to see Sundin with a comparable level of talent around him and under a more modern, open game. Matthews is the best finisher I've ever seen on the Leafs but Sundin was maybe just a notch below and, to my mind, more of a playmaker. Watching Sundin at the 2002 Olympics, to me, confirmed that he 100% should have been in the conversation for top 5 player in the world at the time.

This.  Thisthis.

Matthews plays a lot with Marner.  Sundin played a lot with Hoggie.  The only time he had a winger who was anywhere close to him in skills was when Mogs was on the team, but even then Alex was past his prime.

All that said, Matthews' release, his hand/eye, his stickhandling are second to no one in Leafs history.  I love Sundin but yeah, I hope Matthews breaks all his team records to smithereens.

 

[barney_rebel]

We rule man

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

 

[L K]

Engvall has been good.  Time for Spezza to start heating up again

 

[ZBBM]

Bobbledy-bobble and then BOOM

 

[herman]

Guess who just started watching

 

[L K]

That was a soft trip.  He tie picked himsef

 

[L K]

Yeah we don?t want Severson at all

 

[rdowdall]

I have never seen a Leafs player as talented as him.  Sundin was close, but Matthews is just a rung up on Sundin.  Where Sundin would have flashes where you could say he was one of the top 5 players in the League, Matthews has flashes where he is in the conversation for one of the top 2 or 3 and normally safely within the top 5.

I wish we got to see Sundin with a comparable level of talent around him and under a more modern, open game. Matthews is the best finisher I've ever seen on the Leafs but Sundin was maybe just a notch below and, to my mind, more of a playmaker. Watching Sundin at the 2002 Olympics, to me, confirmed that he 100% should have been in the conversation for top 5 player in the world at the time.

True, Sundin definitely had to shoulder more of the load than Matthews does, and he didn't have the same calibre of linemates.  I was trying to think of who I would have ranked higher than Sundin during his time in the league.  So far I have Jagr, Sackic, Forsberg on the list.  I don't know where to put Lemieux in that conversation, or Lindros due to injury and age.  Yzerman is a polarizing figure depending on how you feel about his career.  Gretzky was definitely winding down.  I'm sure I am forgetting guys and I don't really have the time to scan hockeydb at the moment. 

To answer Red Leafs question, I have McDavid as a clear cut above everyone else, and then I have Draisaitl, MacKinnon and Matthews all in that second tier together.  I'm not sure where to put Kucherov, Stamkos, or Ovechkin.  I feel that while they are still dominate, that Crosby and Malkin are starting to fade.  Barkov maybe should be in this conversation as well.  That's just the forwards too. When you start bringing defencemen into the conversation it could get a little more crowded.

Regardless of the comparison and where you rank them, I know I really enjoy watching Matthews play, and I also really enjoyed watching Sundin play, so it's nice to have that type of player on the team again.

 

[ZBBM]

Aside from Mango these guys suck.

 

[Joe S.]

Hey I forgot Wayne Simmonds plays for the leafs.

 

[ZBBM]

Gillies schools Marner

 

[L K]

Gillies schools Marner

The way he didn?t react to Marner?s short handed chance?.shoot low and get rebounds.  He?s not reading the followup well

 

[barney_rebel]

We rule man

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

 

[L K]

Bad time to have a break.  Matthews in hot

 

[ZBBM]

BA
ZOOKA

great play Marner