You seem to have no issue with Connor McDavid at number 2 after one and a half seasons, yet you think that Mattews is not in the top 5? Kopitar scored 52 points last year and was the fourth highest paid player in the NHL at $14.1 million with a $10 million cap hit. At thirty years of age and a smelly season like that - scoring less than many 3rd line players - hard to put Kopitar in the top 20. I have a feeling the Kings will be borrowing Hossa's jock strap for both Kopitar and Brown in the near future.
- winsix

Cap hit is irrelevant when talking about talent.

Connor McDavid is a generational talent that came into the league almost better than Crosby from day one, and he is already clicking over a PPG.

Kopitar shot 4% lower than his career average, probably unlikely it happens again.

Matthews was great last year, but his shot suppression drops him a tier.

You seem to have no issue with Connor McDavid at number 2 after one and a half seasons, yet you think that Mattews is not in the top 5? Kopitar scored 52 points last year and was the fourth highest paid player in the NHL at $14.1 million with a $10 million cap hit. At thirty years of age and a smelly season like that - scoring less than many 3rd line players - hard to put Kopitar in the top 20. I have a feeling the Kings will be borrowing Hossa's jock strap for both Kopitar and Brown in the near future.
- winsix

A little aggressive. But matthews is most overrated player ever. Which is saying alot because people still think Toews is top five center. Matthews has never averaged over a point per game in his career. McDavid has averaged over point per game for his entire career. Not in the same league.

Most likely:

Namestnikov - Stamkos - Kucherov
Palat - Johnson - Guy
Guy - Point - Guy

The guys being: Killorn/Callahan/Gourde/Erne/Kunitz
- Feds91Stammer

Okay, fair enough! I should've taken more time to consider line combos than I did. I didn't see all to much out of Tampa last year and when I did, I was too busy being captivated by Hedman and Kucherov to take note of the rest of the roster.

You've been banging on about this solidly for 12 months now
- walshyleafsfan

You are not very good at math. Only during the off season. I cant wait for season to start to tell everyone i was right.

A little aggressive. But matthews is most overrated player ever. Which is saying alot because people still think Toews is top five center. Matthews has never averaged over a point per game in his career. McDavid has averaged over point per game for his entire career. Not in the same league.
- hanleyaj

Ever? Haha

You are not very good at math. Only during the off season. I cant wait for season to start to tell everyone i was right.
- hanleyaj

I'm still waiting for your, Matthews' rookie season will never reach the heady heights of Eichel's rookie season, recap

You are not very good at math. Only during the off season. I cant wait for season to start to tell everyone i was right.
- hanleyaj

I agree that Matthews is a bit over hyped, but the kid is legit. I'd put him in the same tier as Eichel for now. Doubt Matthews has a regression in scoring while playing with top end wingers like he will be. Plus Reilly, Gardiner, and Zaitsev are no slouches when it comes to moving the puck. Seems like you're just a douchey sabres fan who doesn't want Toronto to have a shiny new toy to make your shiny new toy look less shiny.

You are not very good at math. Only during the off season. I cant wait for season to start to tell everyone i was right.
- hanleyaj

You mean like how you were right about the Sabres being able to compete before the Oilers because Tim Murray is a draft wizard and McDavid is a bandaid?

I agree that Matthews is a bit over hyped, but the kid is legit. I'd put him in the same tier as Eichel for now. Doubt Matthews has a regression in scoring while playing with top end wingers like he will be. Plus Reilly, Gardiner, and Zaitsev are no slouches when it comes to moving the puck. Seems like you're just a douchey sabres fan who doesn't want Toronto to have a shiny new toy to make your shiny new toy look less shiny.
- Girouxsalem90

Mathews is head of eichel a the moment .

Although I think Eichel narrows the gap considerably this year.

Mathews is head of eichel a the moment .

Although I think Eichel narrows the gap considerably this year.
- david22

Agreed, but would definitely put them in the same group right now. When I said over rated I just meant people who talk about him on the same level as McDavid, or Crosby.

I agree that Matthews is a bit over hyped, but the kid is legit. I'd put him in the same tier as Eichel for now. Doubt Matthews has a regression in scoring while playing with top end wingers like he will be. Plus Reilly, Gardiner, and Zaitsev are no slouches when it comes to moving the puck. Seems like you're just a douchey sabres fan who doesn't want Toronto to have a shiny new toy to make your shiny new toy look less shiny.
- Girouxsalem90

I never said matthews isnt legit or isnt in the same league as eichel. He is all the above. But he is not good enough to carry team. Their top three okay/good but the drop off is bad. Marleau is no going to be as good as everyone is saying especially for three years. They will be in salary cap jail when lupul is cleared to play and they have to pay marleau and lupul and sign gardnier matthews, nylander and marner. The depth will be gone because they cant resign players like JVR, Bozak, Komarov. Good luck signing dman with no money.

I agree that Matthews is a bit over hyped, but the kid is legit. I'd put him in the same tier as Eichel for now. Doubt Matthews has a regression in scoring while playing with top end wingers like he will be. Plus Reilly, Gardiner, and Zaitsev are no slouches when it comes to moving the puck. Seems like you're just a douchey sabres fan who doesn't want Toronto to have a shiny new toy to make your shiny new toy look less shiny.
- Girouxsalem90

Agreed. The Maple Leafs will improve if they stay healthy. They really didn't have any large injuries to speak of last year, so maybe they'll repeat this, maybe they won't. They have the up-n-coming talent to someday compete for the SC in the very near future, health withstanding. It's a little absurd to name them kings of the Atlantic after one good season, like Tanner does IMO.

That would be a bad idea. Stamkos does not play a strong defensive game nor does he really make the players around him better.
- Feds91Stammer

Oh I know that. But when right he has the potential to score anyway from 40-60 goals. Not many players can do that.

You mean like how you were right about the Sabres being able to compete before the Oilers because Tim Murray is a draft wizard and McDavid is a bandaid?
- MaximumBone

Or that the sabres will be better than the oilers last year as their roster is unequivocally superior?

Or that talbot is mediocre and lehner is the better goalie ?

"Oh you'll see!! "

Because they'll all be playing defense?
- Scabeh

Not for Canada.

Slavin - Pesce
Hanifin - Faulk
and van Riemsdyk

All American.

Haydn Fleury is the only Canadian D man the Canes have.

I never said matthews isnt legit or isnt in the same league as eichel. He is all the above. But he is not good enough to carry team. Their top three okay/good but the drop off is bad. Marleau is no going to be as good as everyone is saying especially for three years. They will be in salary cap jail when lupul is cleared to play and they have to pay marleau and lupul and sign gardnier matthews, nylander and marner. The depth will be gone because they cant resign players like JVR, Bozak, Komarov. Good luck signing dman with no money.
- hanleyaj

The ole-
"hahaha, you guys have too many good players and will probably have to pay them lots in a couple years...losers"


Eat that leafs fans. Best diss ever.

You mean like how you were right about the Sabres being able to compete before the Oilers because Tim Murray is a draft wizard and McDavid is a bandaid?
- MaximumBone

Never said any of that but okay we can their. Oilers will be good team and regular for playoffs because Mcdavid. But like Capitals will never go far. Drasiatl is overrated and will not be able to put up enough points on his own to make up for salary. Lucic was terrible signing from day one. They go from having one of the best forward groups at amazing salaries to worst forward groups not counting top line. defense is still bad. Kelbom is good top pair guy but besides that they are not very good. Espically with Sekera done for most of the season. With no money to sign anyone else they will never go far.

Meanwhile sabres just overhauled their defense and will be in much better salary situation because Eichel and reinhart will sign for alot cheaper. They already have much better depth players and very good prospects. I still think sabres will make it conference finals before Oilers.

Not so bold prediction!

This time next year Matthews will unanimously be considered not only a top 5 centre, but a top 5 player in the league.

I won't be surprised if the other rookies don't progress as quickly, but Matthews is a slam-dunk pick to take the fast-track to superstardom.

The ole-
"hahaha, you guys have too many good players and will probably have to pay them lots in a couple years...losers"


Eat that leafs fans. Best diss ever.
- HB77

Yeah it will be a problem for them. Look at the Blackhawks. What have they done since Kane and toews got pay day.

I never said matthews isnt legit or isnt in the same league as eichel. He is all the above. But he is not good enough to carry team. Their top three okay/good but the drop off is bad. Marleau is no going to be as good as everyone is saying especially for three years. They will be in salary cap jail when lupul is cleared to play and they have to pay marleau and lupul and sign gardnier matthews, nylander and marner. The depth will be gone because they cant resign players like JVR, Bozak, Komarov. Good luck signing dman with no money.
- hanleyaj

Are you aware of their cap situation?

Yeah it will be a problem for them. Look at the Blackhawks. What have they done since Kane and toews got pay day.
- hanleyaj

They got paid for winning 3 Cups, I really don't think that's comparable to a team that hasn't won a playoff series in 14 years

Not so bold prediction!

This time next year Matthews will unanimously be considered not only a top 5 centre, but a top 5 player in the league.

I won't be surprised if the other rookies don't progress as quickly, but Matthews is a slam-dunk pick to take the fast-track to superstardom.
- BestRapperAlive

He will score 35-40 goals and 75 points. He will finish just outside top ten in points. But considering he is a leaf people will overreact and say he is best player in the league.

Yeah it will be a problem for them. Look at the Blackhawks. What have they done since Kane and toews got pay day.
- hanleyaj

The problem with the Hawks is they gave Toews his payday on the down swing of his career, and will never get value for that contract. Edmonton paid both their stars on the up swing of their career and will get more than fair value. The contracts they gave out to Drai and McD are less of a cap hit (percentage wise) compared to what Crosby and Malkin got on their paydays, how has that worked out for the Pens?

I never said matthews isnt legit or isnt in the same league as eichel. He is all the above. But he is not good enough to carry team. Their top three okay/good but the drop off is bad. Marleau is no going to be as good as everyone is saying especially for three years. They will be in salary cap jail when lupul is cleared to play and they have to pay marleau and lupul and sign gardnier matthews, nylander and marner. The depth will be gone because they cant resign players like JVR, Bozak, Komarov. Good luck signing dman with no money.
- hanleyaj

HAHAHAHAHA. I have read a lot of stupid things on this site, but you sir take the cake.

1) Matthews is not only already better than Eichel but hit 40 goals with 2 (!) 11 game goalless streaks. Thats 1/4 of the season he didnt even score, and he still finished with 40! Where do you get off he cant carry a team?

2) Lupul himself has said he isnt getting a second opinion, so much for your professional medical opinion that he'll be able to play.

Here are some facts that may be hard to swallow for someone who had to justify Zemgus Girgensons as an All Star not too long ago.

Matthews > Eichel
Marner >>>> Reinhart
Nylander >> Baby Nylander

Andersen >>>> Lehner (lol good luck with that).

But please, keep thinking that everyone is underrating that fill in squad of yours and overrating ours. Maybe you'll beat out Florida for the basement....maybe.

They got paid for winning 3 Cups, I really don't think that's comparable to a team that hasn't won a playoff series in 14 years
- BestRapperAlive

I never said I would be upset about it. But it is preventing them from winning another cup. But leafs have won nothing and will be in same situation but will have 0 cups.

Also Leafs have been to playoffs twice in the past 12 years. So dont be bragging to much because u lost in first round. It is six year drought for sabres.