Hey, do you remember what year Ovechkin was as a rookie and then look at all of the rookies in between him and Matthews? I'll give you a hint, it wasn't 2016. Nobody hit 40 other than them in that time span.

Aside from Selanne's obviously unparalleled rookie season the second highest 5vs5 goal scoring rookie since 1990 is Matthews tied with Lindros. Tell me that isn't insane in today's NHL.
- AdamFrench

PROVE he can do it again.

Sike he well never be a rookie again so it's a fluke! Suckers

- Steven_Seagull

that was taken right out front of Bixy's place!

No secret, the world is full of idiots. Suggesting that Matthews can't add to a 40 goal total is idiocy. He played reduced and sheltered minutes and less on the power play than most players in his 'tier' of scoring. If they put Marleau(old or not) on his line it's a drastic increase in talent over Hyman, Marleau still had nearly 30 goals on and older/slower Sharks team in '16-17.

Matthews drove possession on his own. He didn't have another top tier veteran on his line as players like Ovechkin did, or as Laine did. He carried the line. He scored the goals and he'll be more involved and in higher offensive situations moving forward. If he doesn't see a spike in goals, it may come on the assist side. If he doesn't score 40 goals, he'll most certainly see a drastic increase in assists...and that's fine too.

My predictions for possibly reaching 50 are Laine only & an outside chance of maybe Matthews(i think his scoring/setup #'s balance out a bit), Ovechkin(decline), Tarasenko(continued consistency around 40), Kane(possibly needs to carry more of the offense) in that order. Laine on the back of Scheifele being the most likely, but doing so, as 'one dimensionally' as 50 goals can be and not contributing much to the well-being of the team.

Laine in the Peg could do it if he stays healthy and avoids the sophomore jinx

No secret, the world is full of idiots. Suggesting that Matthews can't add to a 40 goal total is idiocy. He played reduced and sheltered minutes and less on the power play than most players in his 'tier' of scoring. If they put Marleau(old or not) on his line it's a drastic increase in talent over Hyman, Marleau still had nearly 30 goals on and older/slower Sharks team in '16-17.

Matthews drove possession on his own. He didn't have another top tier veteran on his line as players like Ovechkin did, or as Laine did. He carried the line. He scored the goals and he'll be more involved and in higher offensive situations moving forward. If he doesn't see a spike in goals, it may come on the assist side. If he doesn't score 40 goals, he'll most certainly see a drastic increase in assists...and that's fine too.

My predictions for possibly reaching 50 are Laine only & an outside chance of maybe Matthews(i think his scoring/setup #'s balance out a bit), Ovechkin(decline), Tarasenko(continued consistency around 40), Kane(possibly needs to carry more of the offense) in that order. Laine on the back of Scheifele being the most likely, but doing so, as 'one dimensionally' as 50 goals can be and not contributing much to the well-being of the team.
- MConn

I agree, nice post.

No secret, the world is full of idiots. Suggesting that Matthews can't add to a 40 goal total is idiocy. He played reduced and sheltered minutes and less on the power play than most players in his 'tier' of scoring. If they put Marleau(old or not) on his line it's a drastic increase in talent over Hyman, Marleau still had nearly 30 goals on and older/slower Sharks team in '16-17.

Matthews drove possession on his own. He didn't have another top tier veteran on his line as players like Ovechkin did, or as Laine did. He carried the line. He scored the goals and he'll be more involved and in higher offensive situations moving forward. If he doesn't see a spike in goals, it may come on the assist side. If he doesn't score 40 goals, he'll most certainly see a drastic increase in assists...and that's fine too.

My predictions for possibly reaching 50 are Laine only & an outside chance of maybe Matthews(i think his scoring/setup #'s balance out a bit), Ovechkin(decline), Tarasenko(continued consistency around 40), Kane(possibly needs to carry more of the offense) in that order. Laine on the back of Scheifele being the most likely, but doing so, as 'one dimensionally' as 50 goals can be and not contributing much to the well-being of the team.
- MConn

Good post, Aussie

Edit: didn't see the NS... - awful post

Clarify 'goals'???

If/when Jagr goes to Calgary, well there's going to be plenty of him going through plenty of 'five holes'..........I'd bet at least 50!

Seriously, I haven't read the blog (yet ), but have read a few comments about Matthews scoring 50 goals?

Ok, this week someone brought up a very good point of how hard it will be to score 100 points for Sid Crosby due to the Metro being 1 ugly mutha of a beach. Now if you look at the Atlantic division goalies that Matthews will be playing against how do they rate? I realise there's plenty of games outside the Atlantic but when you play a lot of games against Price, Rask, Vasi etc, the chances of scoring is a little less isn't it?

I'm not saying he can't, but at the same time he's going to be marked a lot harder this season AND the Leafs would be hoping the scoring is done by a lot more than 1 line.

Seriously, I haven't read the blog (yet ), but have read a few comments about Matthews scoring 50 goals?

Ok, this week Frenchy brought up a very good point of how hard it will be to score 100 points for Sid Crosby due to the Metro being 1 ugly mutha of a beach. Now if you look at the Atlantic division goalies that Matthews will be playing against how do they rate? I realise there's plenty of games outside the Atlantic but when you play a lot of games against Price, Rask, Vasi etc, the chances of scoring is a little less isn't it?

I'm not saying he can't, but at the same time he's going to be marked a lot harder this season AND the Leafs would be hoping the scoring is done by a lot more than 1 line.
- Aussiepenguin

After his 4 goal season opener, do you think other decided not to mark him hard? Why weren't teams marking him hard after his 30th? Why didn't the Caps Mark him hard after he scored 40 in the regular season?

The Leafs biggest strength is their depth of scoring from different lines. Last year was no different. They had 6 forwards with 55 points or more. Each of the top 3 lines had scorers on them

After his 4 goal season opener, do you think other decided not to mark him hard? Why weren't teams marking him hard after his 30th? Why didn't the Caps Mark him hard after he scored 40 in the regular season?

The Leafs biggest strength is their depth of scoring from different lines. Last year was no different. They had 6 forwards with 55 points or more. Each of the top 3 lines had scorers on them
- walshyleafsfan

Possibly after his fantastic debut in the NHL, scouts were still needing to see more of his game - did he score 4 in another after that?

Through his first season his opponents hadn't seen him before & after his 1st season, more information is available & players will know him better.

Will sophomore slumps affect the young guns? Who knows, but if there is a reduction in production then there may be issues in scoring on all lines & Matthews may be lent on a little more?? He really had no pressure this past season as there was no comparison, next season there is. Still though, Sid was close to doubling his points total as a reference (if anyone even thinks to compare).

As I said, I'm not saying he can't but it may be a little harder the 2nd time around.

Edit: the darkened didn't look right when I first read it.

I'm stuck in a smelly van in the middle of the desert, it's 4am... so I'm having a moment of clarity.

Taresenko 47g 35a
Mathews 39g 40a
Ovechkin 39g 24a
Kucherov 38g 39a
Crosby 28g 73a
McDavid 25g 78a
Eichel 33g 45a
Barkov 53g 54a
Book it fantasy nerds...

Seriously, I haven't read the blog (yet ), but have read a few comments about Matthews scoring 50 goals?

Ok, this week Frenchy brought up a very good point of how hard it will be to score 100 points for Sid Crosby due to the Metro being 1 ugly mutha of a beach. Now if you look at the Atlantic division goalies that Matthews will be playing against how do they rate? I realise there's plenty of games outside the Atlantic but when you play a lot of games against Price, Rask, Vasi etc, the chances of scoring is a little less isn't it?

I'm not saying he can't, but at the same time he's going to be marked a lot harder this season AND the Leafs would be hoping the scoring is done by a lot more than 1 line.
- Aussiepenguin

That weren't me.

I'm stuck in a smelly van in the middle of the desert, it's 4am... so I'm having a moment of clarity.

Taresenko 47g 35a
Mathews 39g 40a
Ovechkin 39g 24a
Kucherov 38g 39a
Crosby 28g 73a
McDavid 25g 78a
Eichel 33g 45a
Barkov 53g 54a
Book it fantasy nerds...
- Pet.m.d.

Speigal is that you?

That weren't me.
- AdamFrench

1000 apologies - it's not a bad point though.

what a shock.

"WHAT!? A LEAF PLAYER SCORE 50!? NEVARRR! Yea who cares who else was mentioned. They arent Leaf players....so ignore them.

Laine
Crosby
Tarasenko

will all score more goals than Matthews.

Matthews assist totals will improve.

So if some Leafs fans think Matthews will score 50, how many will McD score?

So if some Leafs fans think Matthews will score 50, how many will McD score?
- Aussiepenguin

He should start by trying to get 40.

Then go from there

So if some Leafs fans think Matthews will score 50, how many will McD score?
- Aussiepenguin

probably less than matthews... again

He should start by trying to get 40.

Then go from there
- walshyleafsfan

Maybe Matthews can do the same?

probably less than matthews... again
- HealthyScratch6

Any chance you think Matthews will get close to the scoring lead at some stage? I mean it can't be that hard if McD did it. Right?

Any chance you think Matthews will get close to the scoring lead at some stage? I mean it can't be that hard if McD did it. Right?
- Aussiepenguin

Depends. I think Matthews is more of a goal scorer. Probably more goals less assists is my guess.

Matthews seems to dictate the play himself rather than rely on someone else to score. McDavid needs to score more than the likes of Kadri and JVR to be taken seriously as a goal scorer.

Matthews' 40 is apparently the most he'll ever get. McDavid has another 15 attempts to add 10 more goals to his career high. It will be fascinating

Maybe Matthews can do the same?
- Aussiepenguin

I think that's what Matthews is currently doing.

40 goals, check.
50 goals, probably on his to do list

Depends. I think Matthews is more of a goal scorer. Probably more goals less assists is my guess.

Matthews seems to dictate the play himself rather than rely on someone else to score. McDavid needs to score more than the likes of Kadri and JVR to be taken seriously as a goal scorer.

Matthews' 40 is apparently the most he'll ever get. McDavid has another 15 attempts to add 10 more goals to his career high. It will be fascinating
- walshyleafsfan

I think that's what Matthews is currently doing.

40 goals, check.
50 goals, probably on his to do list
- walshyleafsfan

Is Matthews going to be a #1 C or concentrate on scoring goals?

Doesn't most C (top that is), work to 'produce' scoring & in doing so assist more than score? I understand from a team prospective that they want goals anyway they can get them, but as a structure the team needs systemic growth where wingers score & C set them up? As Matthews develops he may reduce actual goals & increase assists being a productive C. Getting close to 100 points is more important than 40 goals (69 points), in my opinion.

When you talk about McD, I'll let others give you their opinion. But the guy just won some pretty big awards in his 2nd year in the NHL.