AUSTON MATTHEWS - Center - 21 - $11.63MM Cap Hit - UFA in 2024-2025
LAST UPDATED 8/24/19
While durability has been an issue for Matthews, he's been exactly as advertised when he has played. His shot has always been his best tool, and he should consistently score 40 goals when healthy. Matthews is also a strong playmaker with elite puck skills, and can effectively drive play and set up his teammates. Matthews isn't the kind of sniper who requires a playmaking center to make chances for him to finish, Matthews gets into scoring position himself and finishes the chances he creates for himself and the chances he uses his teammates to create. He's a true play-driving 1C and can elevate lesser offensive talent (like Zach Hyman) to decent production just by virtue of playing with him. That's the mark of a real 1C and he's something Toronto has desperately needed for generations. Defensively, Matthews is still a work in progress, and sometimes his aggressiveness can get the better of him. There's something with the media and giving some down-ballot Selke votes to Leafs players, because Matthews has been on the Selke leaderboard before despite being a below-average defensive player. I still think he has defensive upside thanks to his smarts and intelligence, but he's not there yet and should not be trusted in high-level defensive situations. Still, his offense, and especially his shot, makes him an elite offensive #1C with a ton of room to grow.
While durability has been an issue for Matthews, he's been exactly as advertised when he has played. His shot has always been his best tool, and he should consistently score 40 goals when healthy. Matthews is also a strong playmaker with elite puck skills, and can effectively drive play and set up his teammates. Matthews isn't the kind of sniper who requires a playmaking center to make chances for him to finish, Matthews gets into scoring position himself and finishes the chances he creates for himself and the chances he uses his teammates to create. He's a true play-driving 1C and can elevate lesser offensive talent (like Zach Hyman) to decent production just by virtue of playing with him. That's the mark of a real 1C and he's something Toronto has desperately needed for generations. Defensively, Matthews is still a work in progress, and sometimes his aggressiveness can get the better of him. There's something with the media and giving some down-ballot Selke votes to Leafs players, because Matthews has been on the Selke leaderboard before despite being a below-average defensive player. I still think he has defensive upside thanks to his smarts and intelligence, but he's not there yet and should not be trusted in high-level defensive situations. Still, his offense, and especially his shot, makes him an elite offensive #1C with a ton of room to grow.
Services |
Company |
|