I think Matthews is great, but c'mon. I would put Patrick Laine and Jack Eichel on this list if you're going to put Matthews. In fact, Nylander, Marner, Draisaitl, Pastrnak, MacKinnon, Larkin, Forsberg and a few more are closer to Matthews than Matthews is to McDavid. I even like Bo Horvat as much as I like Matthews.

Switch any guy on that list with Matthews and the Leafs' fans would be salivating over THAT player.

Who knows what the future will hold, but the question is who is going to be higher ranked in the history books, 99, 66, 4, or 97...

I think Leafs Nation is doing a number on this kid's ego as well. He's great, but is Austin Matthews really a "generational talent" as they say?

My opinion is no, he's not.

Don't think Lou was in on the kessel deal though.
- the_eye

Kessel was dealt on july 1, and Lou was hired officially on the 23rs - so techinically he was not in on that trade - you are right. Lou was still at the NJ table at the draft.

I think Matthews is great, but c'mon. I would put Patrick Laine and Jack Eichel on this list if you're going to put Matthews. In fact, Nylander, Marner, Draisaitl, Pastrnak, MacKinnon, Larkin, Forsberg and a few more are closer to Matthews than Matthews is to McDavid. I even like Bo Horvat as much as I like Matthews.

Switch any guy on that list with Matthews and the Leafs' fans would be salivating over THAT player.

Who knows what the future will hold, but the question is who is going to be higher ranked in the history books, 99, 66, 4, or 97...

I think Leafs Nation is doing a number on this kid's ego as well. He's great, but is Austin Matthews really a "generational talent" as they say?

My opinion is no, he's not.



- AdamFrench

He's played a single season; McDavid's played 1.5.

I reserve judgement on all these kids.

He's played a single season; McDavid's played 1.5.

I reserve judgement on all these kids.
- gravyface

The Horvat bit Holy (frank)

I think Matthews is great, but c'mon. I would put Patrick Laine and Jack Eichel on this list if you're going to put Matthews. In fact, Nylander, Marner, Draisaitl, Pastrnak, MacKinnon, Larkin, Forsberg and a few more are closer to Matthews than Matthews is to McDavid. I even like Bo Horvat as much as I like Matthews.

Switch any guy on that list with Matthews and the Leafs' fans would be salivating over THAT player.

Who knows what the future will hold, but the question is who is going to be higher ranked in the history books, 99, 66, 4, or 97...

I think Leafs Nation is doing a number on this kid's ego as well. He's great, but is Austin Matthews really a "generational talent" as they say?



My opinion is no, he's not.



- AdamFrench

Who's the imbecile that posted this?

I think Matthews is great, but c'mon. I would put Patrick Laine and Jack Eichel on this list if you're going to put Matthews. In fact, Nylander, Marner, Draisaitl, Pastrnak, MacKinnon, Larkin, Forsberg and a few more are closer to Matthews than Matthews is to McDavid. I even like Bo Horvat as much as I like Matthews.

Switch any guy on that list with Matthews and the Leafs' fans would be salivating over THAT player.

Who knows what the future will hold, but the question is who is going to be higher ranked in the history books, 99, 66, 4, or 97...

I think Leafs Nation is doing a number on this kid's ego as well. He's great, but is Austin Matthews really a "generational talent" as they say?

My opinion is no, he's not.



- AdamFrench

Where is this from?

Where is this from?
- bixll

EK thread.

first of all why the need to compare these guys?

Eichel, McDavid and Matthews all elite C-men; each different in their own way.
Not sure who will get the most individual points (probably McDavid) but that's not really the point for the fans; the most important is if, and how many Stanley Cups the player contributes to for his team to win.

My guess is, that Matthews will pan out to be the more all-round player who is an 9 on all bits of the game; McDavid is a 10 on offense, but with less defensive qualities.

In addition, it seems Matthews will have better teammates ; Marner is the young forward that is closest in NHL to these three elite players (McDavid, Eichel, Matthews).
And then Nylander great 1st line RW to play with Matthews.

We should call ourselves lucky to be Leafs-fans

Who's the imbecile that posted this?




- winsix

Some Oiler fan

I think Matthews is great, but c'mon. I would put Patrick Laine and Jack Eichel on this list if you're going to put Matthews. In fact, Nylander, Marner, Draisaitl, Pastrnak, MacKinnon, Larkin, Forsberg and a few more are closer to Matthews than Matthews is to McDavid. I even like Bo Horvat as much as I like Matthews.

Switch any guy on that list with Matthews and the Leafs' fans would be salivating over THAT player.

Who knows what the future will hold, but the question is who is going to be higher ranked in the history books, 99, 66, 4, or 97...

I think Leafs Nation is doing a number on this kid's ego as well. He's great, but is Austin Matthews really a "generational talent" as they say?

My opinion is no, he's not.



- AdamFrench

come on

EK thread.
- the_eye

Well,,,,,,, It is an opinion.

The Horvat bit Holy (frank)
- AdamFrench

Unreal

Some Oiler fan
- AdamFrench

Without looking, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that it was Larsson Fan?

Without looking, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that it was Larsson Fan?
- As_I_See_It

Probably his alt.

I think Matthews is great, but c'mon. I would put Patrick Laine and Jack Eichel on this list if you're going to put Matthews. In fact, Nylander, Marner, Draisaitl, Pastrnak, MacKinnon, Larkin, Forsberg and a few more are closer to Matthews than Matthews is to McDavid. I even like Bo Horvat as much as I like Matthews.

Switch any guy on that list with Matthews and the Leafs' fans would be salivating over THAT player.

Who knows what the future will hold, but the question is who is going to be higher ranked in the history books, 99, 66, 4, or 97...

I think Leafs Nation is doing a number on this kid's ego as well. He's great, but is Austin Matthews really a "generational talent" as they say?

My opinion is no, he's not.



- AdamFrench

What a blog choice EK...


Next week... in 2038... who will be higher?!??!!?


I don't know if Larkin or Horvat on that list is more funny. I'll go with both being equal.

What a blog choice EK...


Next week... in 2038... who will be higher?!??!!?


I don't know if Larkin or Horvat on that list is more funny. I'll go with both being equal.
- markmark

Bo Horvat is the next Olli Jokinen

The Horvat bit Holy (frank)
- AdamFrench

Sweet jesus, I just reread that post.

The Horvat bit Holy (frank)
- AdamFrench

Yes - I guess the dweeb should have included Connor Brown on that list, he scored more than Horvat.

What a blog choice EK...


Next week... in 2038... who will be higher?!??!!?


I don't know if Larkin or Horvat on that list is more funny. I'll go with both being equal.
- markmark

Also some pissant 6 year old from Slovakia could be better than both by 2038 who knows?

Also some pissant 6 year old from Slovakia could be better than both by 2038 who knows?
- AdamFrench

OR this guy

That's sounds sweet. We took a 2017 Cadillac Escalade extended SUV OUT FOR A SPIN. I BELIEVE it was 6.3 L quite capable of pulling something. My twin boys are 14 months old. Want to take them camping and travel with them.
- BreathLeafs2015

Where are you going to park a trailer for work if you buy a SUV? Escalades are very nice but better declare enough income or CRA will be watching your reno business.

first of all why the need to compare these guys?

Eichel, McDavid and Matthews all elite C-men; each different in their own way.
Not sure who will get the most individual points (probably McDavid) but that's not really the point for the fans; the most important is if, and how many Stanley Cups the player contributes to for his team to win.

My guess is, that Matthews will pan out to be the more all-round player who is an 9 on all bits of the game; McDavid is a 10 on offense, but with less defensive qualities.

In addition, it seems Matthews will have better teammates ; Marner is the young forward that is closest in NHL to these three elite players (McDavid, Eichel, Matthews).
And then Nylander great 1st line RW to play with Matthews.

We should call ourselves lucky to be Leafs-fans
- MaximusAurelius

I'm hoping Matthews will be to Mcdavid what Toews has been to Crosby.

MiB

Good idea for a post but it would have benefited from summarizing Lou's overall performance instead of just listing and grading his individual trades. Lou had a reputation as a shrewd trader but these trades are largely meh.

Is Lou's Leafs trade record better, worse or the same as his trade record in New Jersey?

Overall, I think you were too generous with your grades. "A"s should be reserved for team changing trades like Phaneuf's and Andersen's. The other As or A-s should be Bs. Brian Boyle's trade should be an F, a failure.

Next trade is likely to be a C or B at best.
- Leafsandbolts

Brian Boyle trade was far from a F. With a touch of luck we get to the 2nd round or further....and he played a pretty good part of it. Sucks he didnt resign...that's the chances you take.

The Horvat bit Holy (frank)
- AdamFrench

Last year's Canucks derp was that Boeser is going to be better than Marner.

No, that's what the wife is for
- lumlums