matthews is the best ever to shut down the media.. see how he shut down the nylander joining the leafs finally question? you guys will have to find a new story to write about next week... classic!

matthews is easily the best even strength goal scorer in the nhl

Why isnt Hextall the biggest fan of Simmonds?

matthews is easily the best even strength goal scorer in the nhl
- homiedclown

he's just the best...at everything, ever.

Matthews - Being injured and only playing 60% of games in ELC, brutal in playoffs, soft a/f and will command $12 million dollars.

he's just the best...at everything, ever.
- Symba007

it takes an American to save Toronto

just sayin

Why isnt Hextall the biggest fan of Simmonds?
- MBFlyerfan

Racist.

Racist.
- glove_was_stuck

Matthews - Being injured and only playing 60% of games in ELC, brutal in playoffs, soft a/f and will command $12 million dollars.
- tmlfan17

Let's move him. I am sure we'll find another 21 year-old franchise centre right away. He only has 13 goals in 13 games.

He is the best at playing the media!!!

it takes an American to save Toronto

just sayin
- homiedclown

Always has done.

JVR
Kessel
Komisarek
Christian Hanson

Great to have Nylander back, and his cap hit makes him tasty enough to get a number one defenseman, at the trade deadline. Him or Kapanen, and I'd stick with Kapanen. Best pick-pocket in the league.

What Matthews brings is somewhat different; he is a student of the game. Uses his hockey smarts, and that besides great hands, makes for an elite player
- teppy1954

His $10.2 Million Cap hit this season is going to help you get a number one defender at the Trade Deadline this season, good to know. Maybe his Cap hit next year might be tasty but this season not so much.

In regards to Mathews, Ek has claimed before that he is the best passer in the game, not sure if it's true, don't watch him a lot, but EK has said it few times before.

Matthews wrist shot from the circle is deadly...puts it right under the crossbar every time and the goalie can do nothing about it. He is equally as deadly with that shot from a one-timer.
- plyrs99

might be true....but not the answer

The Matthews Skill breakdown:

To consider him the BEST EVER to play the game in the specific area is always going to be up for debate. To give it credence, I will assume it's something that has come to light more in recent years than back in the glory days. He gets hurt, he comes back, he doesn't appear to miss a beat. He addresses the media effectively without giving up too much info. But based on current events, my guess is going to be more Nylander-related.

Ek, I believe you think Matthews ability to play alongside any given linemate(s) and not only be successful himself, but have the others contribute above their normal rate of play as well... that is where Matthews could be considered the "BEST EVER".
Lots of one-man shows have come and gone. Some superstars are difficult to find linemates for (see: Crosby, McDavid). But Matthews turned Nylander into a (nearly) 7-million dollar man, and had Nylander held out for the season... Kasperi Kapanen was going to get paid handsomely for becoming an offensive Juggernaut seemingly out of nowhere. Whoever has been put on his wings, thrives.

If I'm right, I don't want anything Matthews related. I want to write a blog with and edge once a month, on any given "flavour of the month" in the hockey world of my choosing. Guaranteed to spark the comments section. And if I'm wrong, well there's a first time for everything...
- Burnt_juice

I do like your style and voice. Email me a sample blog to eklund @ Hockeybuzz

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.
- torfc23

really good answer!

Other than having the greatest wrist shot in hockey, his hand eye coordination is unlike anything in the league. Players just shoot the puck at him and he somehow gets it at ease.