Not a reasonable comparison. Danny (POS) Heatley scored 103 points in that 2005-06 season when Crosby scored 102. Five players had more points than Crosby and 7 hit 100 points in the NHL that year. How many had over 100 last year ....... Crickets.....? yah, I thought so.
- winsix

He is a Hall of Fame player after 1 year. I get it.

McD is not as good because he hasn't got the same 200 foot game as Matthews. I get it.

Sid is old, Matthews is young. I get it.

Matthews has nothing more to prove. I get it.

It's just when goals were brought up before there was no comparison to anything else. And funnily enough it was only goals & not points. The Hart wasn't mentioned either. But I'm sure our latest Hall of Famer will win them all this season (if he plays, he doesn't have to ).

Sid actually scored 102 points rookie year. How many did Matthews score again?

Then in his 2nd year scored 120.

Now, that's a champion players stats if we are going on points.

Matthews has a long way to go. A looooong waaaaaay to go..........

But Hof, yes. Let's get the votes going here on the Buzz. Austin in the hall!
- Aussiepenguin

The post lockout season was a joke. Nearly twice as many penalties called per game as last year. A league wide average sv% of .901.

Not to take anything away from the best player in the world but dont lie to yourself the numbers are skewed.

You're not coming across very well.

Suspicions were raised when you started your first post with the words "I'm not trolling but"
- walshyleafsfan

That was in regards to another subject. Now this, this is in regards to Matthews being 'the best overall player in the NHL now'.

Look back, it's fact.

you're bending the debate, I simply formed an opinion based on last years results that leads me to believe Scheifele is currently a better player/center.

If the both score 80 points and Matthews has better under-lying numbers this year, then that opinion will change...how is that hard to understand??
- LeftCoaster

Matthews /60 number stack up well with schiefele and his underlying stats ARE better, so how's that hard to understand.

You said Matthews has to have another year to show he belongs, and that scheifle is ahead after having only one great year. I'm not bending anything.

He is a Hall of Fame player after 1 year. I get it.

McD is not as good because he hasn't got the same 200 foot game as Matthews. I get it.

Sid is old, Matthews is young. I get it.

Matthews has nothing more to prove. I get it.

It's just when goals were brought up before there was no comparison to anything else. And funnily enough it was only goals & not points. The Hart wasn't mentioned either. But I'm sure our latest Hall of Famer will win them all this season (if he plays, he doesn't have to ).
- Aussiepenguin

He'd have even more points if Hyman held his stick the right (frank)ing way...

Matthews Scheifele debate is silly.

You have to be a real goof to ignore that Matthews is doing better than Scheifele did at the same stages in their careers.

A true indication of which player is better. If you were starting an nhl team do you take Matthews or Scheifele? The answer to that question will tell you who is better without needing any stats.

To be fair to Lefty, no one likes to give Leafs players (or management) any praise. The fact we're now seeing veiled credit given, or disclaimed underhanded compliments is a monumental step in the right direction.

There will always be reasons why Leafs players won't be considered as good as their numbers suggest, but as long as the team wins some trophies it doesn't matter what fans of opposing teams say
- walshyleafsfan

Over the past 50 years the Leafs have not really had many great teams or players, but, the guys who were great, still have been acknowledged as great players.

Matthews is clearly a great young player. The debate started when someone said there's an argument that he could currently be considered the "best overall player in the league".

I simply disagreed with that.

McDavid isn't as physically strong, but his defense is underrated - he's so goddamn fast with his feet and hands that he'll have the puck off you and going the other way in the blink of an eye.
- lumlums

Agree that McDavid is the fastest player in the NHL and skill set is off the charts. Crosby is also an amazing talent. Remember him winning the target shooting contests at the NHL all-star game last year - remember who was right there with him? Matthews stickhandling is something to behold. Not many in the NHL can stick-handle around an entire team like he can. Certainly not Scheifele or the drag queen on wheels. Not in the top 15? SMA

The post lockout season was a joke. Nearly twice as many penalties called per game as last year. A league wide average sv% of .901.

Not to take anything away from the best player in the world but dont lie to yourself the numbers are skewed.
- Blazed

I'm just providing a comparison for merit after Matthews was named the best overall due to his 40 goals.

Matthews Scheifele debate is silly.

You have to be a real goof to ignore that Matthews is doing better than Scheifele did at the same stages in their careers.

A true indication of which player is better.
- systemtool

It's not about the stages of their careers, it's about who's better right now.

My favourite was that Sabres knob handjob or whatever his handle is in one of Tanner's threads yesterday, saying Matthews is the most overrated player ever lol. I know the Leafs not being a total disaster and a joke for the first time in forever is a lot to get used to but some trolls are really struggling with it.
- Zezel

Matthews /60 number stack up well with schiefele and his underlying stats ARE better, so how's that hard to understand.

You said Matthews has to have another year to show he belongs, and that scheifle is ahead after having only one great year. I'm not bending anything.
- burn

I never said that, why do you keep saying that lol??

Over the past 50 years the Leafs have not really had many great teams or players, but, the guys who were great, still have been acknowledged as great players.

Matthews is clearly a great young player. The debate started when someone said there's an argument that he could be currently be considered the "best overall player in the league".

I simply disagreed with that.
- LeftCoaster

Depends what you're looking at i suppose.

As it stands Matthews is the 2nd best goalscorer in hockey and the very best at scoring 5 on 5 goals and the 1st goal of the game.

Those are the facts as we stand now

Happy end of the world day
- Symba007

It's official, it's 00:09 here Sunday morning & we are still here - although the moon looks a lot (frank)ing yuuuger than it normally does.

To be fair to Lefty, no one likes to give Leafs players (or management) any praise. The fact we're now seeing veiled credit given, or disclaimed underhanded compliments is a monumental step in the right direction.

There will always be reasons why Leafs players won't be considered as good as their numbers suggest, but as long as the team wins some trophies it doesn't matter what fans of opposing teams say
- walshyleafsfan

Jealousy and hatred will always get in the way

I simply disagreed with that.
- LeftCoaster

No. Not simply. You went way over board and went top 15 then Scheifele and a bunch of other silly antics. Let's not minimize your efforts here today.

Over the past 50 years the Leafs have not really had many great teams or players, but, the guys who were great, still have been acknowledged as great players.

Matthews is clearly a great young player. The debate started when someone said there's an argument that he could be currently be considered the "best overall player in the league".

I simply disagreed with that.
- LeftCoaster

Not exactly - whole truth and nothing but please!

You disagreed and added he wasn't in the top 15. And then you said Scheifele was better currently.

It's not about the stages of their careers, it's about who's better right now.
- LeftCoaster

The guy who was 2nd in goals scored.
Pretty easy. Goals are the hardest thing to come buy in this league.

Not exactly - whole truth and nothing but please!

You disagreed and added he wasn't in the top 15. And then you said Scheifele was better currently.
- winsix

Well I had to make it interesting and get some debate flowing while qualifying my opinion

The guy who was 2nd in goals scored.
Pretty easy. Goals are the hardest thing to come buy in this league.
- systemtool

It might have been based on last season

I'm just providing a comparison for merit after Matthews was named the best overall due to his 40 goals.
- Aussiepenguin

A better comparison, compared to his peers Crosby's outstanding generational rookie season had him finishing 12th in goals and 6th in points.

Matthews compared to his peers 2nd in goals and 20th in points. No matter how you phrase it is was an impressive season.

He'd have even more points if Hyman held his stick the right (frank)ing way...
- lumlums

If he decides to play, then he may just get a few more points to get a little closer to.......oh forget it, it's just going to start something.

A better comparison, compared to his peers Crosby's outstanding generational rookie season had him finishing 12th in goals and 6th in points.

Matthews compared to his peers 2nd in goals and 20th in points. No matter how you phrase it is was an impressive season.
- Blazed

Hall of Fame, we all agree - even Pacino (if Matthews improves a little more this season ).

The moon appears to be larger now that I looked & has moved across the window.

Should I be worried??

The guy who was 2nd in goals scored.
Pretty easy. Goals are the hardest thing to come buy in this league.
- systemtool

So whoever scores the most is the best player in the league? That would make Tim Kerr better than a lot of HHOFer's back in the mid 80's

He is a Hall of Fame player after 1 year. I get it.

McD is not as good because he hasn't got the same 200 foot game as Matthews. I get it.

Sid is old, Matthews is young. I get it.

Matthews has nothing more to prove. I get it.

It's just when goals were brought up before there was no comparison to anything else. And funnily enough it was only goals & not points. The Hart wasn't mentioned either. But I'm sure our latest Hall of Famer will win them all this season (if he plays, he doesn't have to ).
- Aussiepenguin

You brought up the 102 points that Crosby scored, I merely added facts surrounding that season - including the fact that Danny Heatley - a player that showed lots of promise but has played some for the AHL and an obscure German team scored more than Crosby in his rookie campaign. It shows that scoring was much more of a premium last season than it was in 2005-06.- Not a slight on Crosby just a footnote to qualify your comparison properly. Matthews just turned 20 your jealousy is understandable.