Matthews or BUST

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWC9100T2S4[/youtube]

Watching this, you can really see why his Corsi score was so dominant. When he has the puck, he holds it so well that seams open up for passes or drives to the net. When he doesn't have the puck, he's always supporting the carrier in the optimal position. They line him up as the winger, but once the play is on, Matthews largely plays the centre role while McDavid plays rover.

 

[L K]

To the untrained eye, that looks like Lou and Babcock dancing.  In reality it's Babcock holding Lou back because Kadri has some facial hair.

 

[disco]

"... scored by number thirty-four, AUSTON MATTHEWS!"
First goal at the ACC. From McDavid.

 

[herman]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTcE-HPXb7Y[/youtube]

When two of his linemates decided to scrap it up with Russia, Matthews chilled out front. Pretty sure he's a Vulcan.

 

[herman]

This bears repeating
[tweet]778026933640585216[/tweet]

 

[herman]

More Matthews warm-up coverage

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/778019537631453188
https://twitter.com/JeffVeillette/status/778016856783265792

 

[disco]

Great package there herman. First time I've watched him play for extended periods. Great to see that big body move and skate, protect the puck and have the hands. What we've desperately lacked since Mats.

 

[herman]

Great package there herman. First time I've watched him play for extended periods. Great to see that big body move and skate, protect the puck and have the hands. What we've desperately lacked since Mats.

Credit for those shift videos goes to a really good poster over at the Leafs subreddit.

If that's not what you were referring to though, credit goes to my parents.

 

[cabber24]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWC9100T2S4[/youtube]

Watching this, you can really see why his Corsi score was so dominant. When he has the puck, he holds it so well that seams open up for passes or drives to the net. When he doesn't have the puck, he's always supporting the carrier in the optimal position. They line him up as the winger, but once the play is on, Matthews largely plays the centre role while McDavid plays rover.

I like how Gardiner is there but on the outs... it's kind of how I feel about him, not so sure.

 

[Kaberle15]

I Need my Hockey Fix...

First game is 6 days away, when does the Training Camp starts (and initial roster is released) ?

Also really nice that for the 1st time the NHL.com streaming package now has pre season games.

Looking forward to see #34 shine...

 

[Redleaf]

Does anyone else think Matthews gets named Captain of the Leafs sometime this season or next? I know it's a vey small sample size, but the maturity and play of Matthews is way beyond his years. Seeing his skill and on-ice presence on display this past week, I don't see anyone else on the current roster that would be a better choice.

 

[Kin]

I wouldn't want to speculate about next year but I can't imagine any scenario where they make him the captain this season.

 

[bustaheims]

I wouldn't want to speculate about next year but I can't imagine any scenario where they make him the captain this season.

Agreed. I don't think they name a captain this season, and, if they do, it won't be one of the rookies.

 

[Redleaf]

I wouldn't want to speculate about next year but I can't imagine any scenario where they make him the captain this season.

Agreed. I don't think they name a captain this season, and, if they do, it won't be one of the rookies.

Semantics. Would you agree that Matthews will likely be the 'next' Leafs captain?

 

[Kin]

What's semantics? The difference between this year and next year?

 

[Redleaf]

What's semantics? The difference between this year and next year?

Lol. You said you can't speak for next year so I rephrased the question. Do you guys think he'll be the Leafs next captain? The semantics were from my question. I meant to emphasis the 'If' more than the 'when' but you guys focused on the when.

 

[Kin]

Lol. You said you can't speak for next year so I rephrased the question. Do you guys think he'll be the Leafs next captain? The semantics were from my question. I meant to emphasis the 'If' more than the 'when' but you guys focused on the when.

Right.

Anyways, I don't know. I think he's got a good chance but I wouldn't rule out Marner or even Nylander or Rielly. I think a lot of it is going to have to do with the group dynamic with that particular bunch and they haven't played a game together.

 

[Redleaf]

Lol. You said you can't speak for next year so I rephrased the question. Do you guys think he'll be the Leafs next captain? The semantics were from my question. I meant to emphasis the 'If' more than the 'when' but you guys focused on the when.

Right.

Anyways, I don't know. I think he's got a good chance but I wouldn't rule out Marner or even Nylander or Rielly. I think a lot of it is going to have to do with the group dynamic with that particular bunch and they haven't played a game together.

Fair enough.

 

[bustaheims]

Semantics. Would you agree that Matthews will likely be the 'next' Leafs captain?

Considering he has yet to play a single NHL game, I'd say it's far far too early to say anything along those lines is likely - especially based on a handful of World Cup games and our impressions of his on-ice presence based on what we're shown on TV. We have no idea about the nature of his leadership qualities, where he'll fit into the leadership hierarchy on the Leafs' roster, how well he's able to communicate with the officiating staff around the league (which, really, is the most significant job of someone with a letter on their chest, as that's really what it indicates - that they're one of the official on-ice representatives of the team), etc.

So, no, I wouldn't say it's likely. It's possible, sure, but, there's just not anywhere close to enough evidence to say more than that. In fact, if I were forced to make the choice today, I'd definitely go with someone like Rielly - a player with actual NHL experience and who has also shown poise on the ice, a high skill level, and some indication of leadership qualities.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/MikeyJ_MMA/status/778811429776269312

... speaking of Morgan Rielly busta