Matthews is the best at predicting the path of the puck.

When the puck comes around the boards, he frequently changes his path in a split second to have full control of the puck when it reaches him instead of wasting a second or two corralling the puck at the boards.

In the air, he deflects the puck not just to tip it randomly, but to tip it in a direction where he can then control it.

It's a subtle skill but it buys him extra seconds in each play in a way I've never seen anyone else do it. And those seconds get him a majority of his goals.

Pretty sure Matthews is the best at hitting the net. I rarely see him miss. Yes he scores goals, but he forces the keeper to make a save instead of missing the net.

Everyone has fallen into Ek's trap.

Winner

Matthews is the best at receiving a pass...he can receive and get a shot off like no one's business.
- wbon22

Winner

I say it’s matthews quick release and uncanny vision with the puck, his snap shot with his quick release in the slot is something I haven’t seen since the good kariya days

Matthews is the best ever at receiving the puck from anywhere on the ice

This.

And to add to it, his ability to get a shot through a defender's stick and skates, while using them as an effective screen.
- viper488

Almost forgot about the little curl and drag he uses to achieve this. I've never seen anyone do that as well as him.

Is it Matthews' hand-eye coordination?

The catch and release wrist shot !

The catch and release wrist shot !

Making the butt hurt flow through Leaf haterz!

Matthews is the best at coming back from injury. Come on EK, at least make it slightly challenging. :p

AM34 can handle and shoot a rolling puck quicker and more accurately than anyone else in the history of this league
- Turnitaround

Best snap shot in the history of the NHL.

Do people seriously think Nylander took a payout?

yikes that is naive.

Source?
- gergeswillems

Lockport knows all.

Matthews has the ability to gain control of a puck if it’s within his reach. A pass in his feet, a puck being controlled by the other team, around the boards, in the air. If he can touch it with his stick, he can gain control of the puck. Hand eye coordination like no other.

At a certain point, the Predators have to make a trade to get Weber back. They can't afford to let him retire.

Although I wouldn't be surprised to see the NHL let them off the hook - Nashville didn't write that contract, and the NHL changed the rules after it was signed.
- Atomic Wedgie

That's what the compliance buy out was for. It's right there in the name. They, obviously, weren't going to do that, so they have to pay the consequences unless his allergy starts acting up.

Do people seriously think Nylander took a payout?

yikes that is naive.
- classic321

Not sure about a payout. What do you mean?

All i know was he wanted Draisaitl money but the Leafs managed to keep that cap hit down from LD

Matthews shot deception is unparalleled. Goalies can't get get a read to where it's going.

2nd and complimentary to that is his ability to take a hard accurate wrist shot regardless of foot or puck position relative to his body....he doesn't have a wheehouse.

Matthews creates TEAM dynamics. Instead of taking all the glory he deflects and talks about how others are doing great and praises their play. He takes blame and is accountable. He makes others accountable by showing a higher standard. I think Marner makes others around him on the ice better while Matthews makes others around him in the dressing room better.

On the Matthews question;I'm going to say his ability to take the puck away from his opponents.

I'd say ability to quickly and accurately shoot a rolling puck. The fact that it is rolling does not seem to impact him at all, which I've never seen before.

Auston has the quickest wrister and release since Jeff Carter.