Around the NHL 2016-2017

[That Aud Smell]

So after all of the nob-gobbling by the media and Gretzky and everyone... Matthews and McDavid basically did very little in the game and were both held off the score sheet. I am amused by this. Wish Eichel was back because it would have been amazing to turn around 2 days after this game and watched Eichel just lay waste to the leafs.  

 

 

Also Matthews was held off the scoreboard for his 4th consecutive game. 

 

Did I read correctly that Matthews had 6 shots? If so, sounds like he had a strong game. 

Edited November 2, 2016 by That Aud Smell

[LGR4GM]

Did I read correctly that Matthews had 6 shots? If so, sounds like he had a strong game. 

Yes he had 6 shots on goal. Toronto peppered EDM with 31 shots and EDM barraged TOR with 46shots. From what I saw of Matthews he did play a solid game. He reminded me at times of Eichel. I am excited for Thursday game, just wish Eichel was out there. 

Actually Rielly and Zaitsev really impressed me for the leafs in that game. We will need ROR, Okposo, and Moulson to handle them. 

[That Aud Smell]

^

 

Much as I hate the Leafs, I am encouraged for USA Hockey to hear about Matthews being so good right out of the gate. Even with being held off the sheet the past 4 games, Matthews is still at a PPG. Frickin' impressive.

 

I also took a look at the game logs for Eichel and Matthews over their first ten NHL games -- fwiw, Matthews has had 7 more shots in his first 10 NHL games than Eichel did (42/35). Anyone recall who Eichel skated with in those early games? Wasn't Kane one of his wingers? Does Matthews have better line mates than Eichel did as an initial matter?

 

Anyhoo. Matthews is most likely ahead of Eichel's curve -- that doesn't mean he's going to exceed him over the long haul (although he might). 

[LGR4GM]

^

 

Much as I hate the Leafs, I am encouraged for USA Hockey to hear about Matthews being so good right out of the gate. Even with being held off the sheet the past 4 games, Matthews is still at a PPG. Frickin' impressive.

 

I also took a look at the game logs for Eichel and Matthews over their first ten NHL games -- fwiw, Matthews has had 7 more shots in his first 10 NHL games than Eichel did (42/35). Anyone recall who Eichel skated with in those early games? Wasn't Kane one of his wingers? Does Matthews have better line mates than Eichel did as an initial matter?

 

Anyhoo. Matthews is most likely ahead of Eichel's curve -- that doesn't mean he's going to exceed him over the long haul (although he might). 

Well Matthews has Nylander and Marner at times but let me look it up... 

[MattPie]

Legit?

 

If so I retract my previous statement

 

Not at all. Sorry to get your hopes up.

[LGR4GM]

Autson Matthews plays with William Nylander and Zach Hyman almost exclusively. 

[Brawndo]

Matthews also has the benefit of playing Six World Cup Games, which I believe has helped him to a strong start

[WildCard]

He has Mike Babcock. Enough said

[Brawndo]

He has Mike Babcock. Enough said

:(

[Randall Flagg]

Matthews is a phenom. There are no excuses or reasons outside of that. He's an incredible hockey player.

[LGR4GM]

True but wait til teams adjust to him. How will he handle that.

[Randall Flagg]

True but wait til teams adjust to him. How will he handle that.

Probably about as well as all other phenoms. With a mildly varying adjustment period, followed by continued development and soon cementing himself as one of the best players in the world. 

Edited November 2, 2016 by Randall Flagg

[WildCard]

Matthews is a phenom. There are no excuses or reasons outside of that. He's an incredible hockey player.

He is. He also has the best developmental coach in the last decade. It helps

[Randall Flagg]

Or he'll sign a contract and then get fat like pi says, which obviously logically follows playing professional hockey overseas to develop his game and make him NHL ready over attending a college and taking fluff classes that he never goes to anyway like pi would have preferred. 

[TrueBlueGED]

Not having Jack sucks. Not having Babcock sucks. Still being better than the Leafs? Priceless.

[LGR4GM]

Just read an article, leafs have only won twice in their last 19 games at Buffalo. This goes back to 2009. Did not realize that.

[bunomatic]

Its beginning to look like the canucks big free agent signing from Boston is their Leino.

 

These canucks look bad

Edited November 3, 2016 by bunomatic

[pi2000]

Or he'll sign a contract and then get fat like pi says, which obviously logically follows playing professional hockey overseas to develop his game and make him NHL ready over attending a college and taking fluff classes that he never goes to anyway like pi would have preferred.

here me now, believe me later

[Brawndo]

The Hockey News put out its weekly rankings.

 

Sabres moved from 26th to 9th. Way to high IMO.

 

And yes I know these do not mean anything.

[LGR4GM]

The Hockey News put out its weekly rankings.

 

Sabres moved from 26th to 9th. Way to high IMO.

 

And yes I know these do not mean anything.

Yea, way high. I would say we are around 19th or so. 

[Sabel79]

Vancouver shut out for the fourth time in five games tonight. How in god's name did we lose to these ?

[Randall Flagg]

Funny exchange between Julien and Marchand: https://twitter.com/CrzyCanucklehed/status/793991888726585344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

[bunomatic]

Vancouver shut out for the fourth time in five games tonight. How in god's name did we lose to these ######?

Hows Linden as president and Benning as G,M, looking now.lol

 

This team can't even decide what their direction as a franchise is. 

[That Aud Smell]

Good for Chychrun. Was a time when I presumed he'd be the Sabres' first overall pick in 2016.

 

http://www.ottawasun.com/2016/11/03/jakob-chychrun-proves-scouts-wrong-by-sticking-with-coyotes

[3putt]

I've caught the last two Yotes games and their young guys look very impressive. They are doing nice things down there and the future looks bright. They need a goaltender, but they are very talented.