Matthews the last great draft pick?

[wazup]

Has there been even many above average picks since when he was picked in 2016? Makar is pretty good but has there been much else, I don't know all the players? How does this play out for the league when average players are being churned out? Five years is a pretty significant time frame. There needs to be consistent top end players replacing the older players, no?

I realise Matthews and Mcjesus are extreme talents but all top 2's since then have been average to below average imo.

 

[redshank]

Teams might want to stockpile '23 1st rd picks

 

[superstar_88]

Jack Eichel

 

[glamphotographer]

McDavid and Matthews are the 2 generational talents today. The next 2-4 drafts won't produce great prospects as the pandemic hindered the development of young talent in the Junior ranks.

 

[tribunus]

McDavid and Matthews are the 2 generational talents today. The next 2-4 drafts won't produce great prospects as the pandemic hindered the development of young talent in the Junior ranks.

My man, you are so wrong. 2022 and 2023 are absolutely stacked. No team is trading their 1st in the next two years.

 

[glamphotographer]

Tim Stutzle is the best player out of the recent draft. LAF is a big laugh right now.

 

[Insidious Von]

Tim Stutzle is impressive - too good for a hick team.

In sports as in life everything balances out, 1971 - 2014 are the years of brutal futility for the Leafs. Not only did they have Clown Management they also had horrendous luck. Marian Hossa making like Zorro:The Gay Blade on Bryan Berrard's eye is one example. The landscape changed when Tim Leiweke was brought in to chuck the dysfunction, the team's luck had to improve.

After the Leafs got bullied by the Flyers in the 2004 First Round, JFJ wanted to blow shite up and start fresh - but the All-Highest vetoed him. The Teachers would not tolerate a re-build.

 

[shack]

TBH, to think that there will be no more generational talents does not seem realistic. There's a reason that that term is used.

 

[Fun For All]

Elias Pettersson, Andrei Svechnikov, Rasmus Dahlin, Brady Tkachuk...these guys are off to great starts and getting greater all the time.

 

[Sonic Temple]

AM34 def. has delivered for the Leafs year after year as has CM97. Nice to see especially being a Leaf fan since I got the bug for hockey (circa 1978) we finally have a bonafide superstar.

 

[Fun For All]

Auston Matthews has been one of the NHLs top players since his very first game, comparing all draft picks after him is a little unfair...

It's like when they use to say to Keith Gretzky, "Hey, you're not as good as your brother", he would respond "Who is"?

 

[shack]

AM34 def. has delivered for the Leafs year after year as has CM97. Nice to see especially being a Leaf fan since I got the bug for hockey (circa 1978) we finally have a bonafide superstar.

Mats Sundin was no slouch, but Matthews has more raw talent.

 

[Darts]

Matthews is a very good player but maybe not the best of his generation yet. Winning a major trophy like the Art Ross, Rocket (he might this season), Hart, Selke (highly unlikely) and the Stanley would definitely enhance his stature.

For what it's worth.
2019-20 NHL ALL-STAR TEAM VOTING RESULTS

CENTER

Pts., (1st-2nd-3rd), Career All-Star Selections
1. LEON DRAISAITL, EDM, 740, (124-38-6), 1 First Team, 0 Second Team
2. Nathan MacKinnon, COL, 495, (39-87-39), 0 First Team, 2 Second Team
3. Connor McDavid, EDM, 258, (6-41-105)
4. Auston Matthews, TOR, 13, (0-1-10)
5. Jack Eichel, BUF, 7, (0-1-4)
6. Evgeni Malkin, PIT, 4, (0-1-1)
7. Elias Pettersson, VAN, 3, (0-0-3)
8. Brayden Point, TBL, 1, (0-0-1)

 

[gcostanza]

Matthews is a very good player but maybe not the best of his generation yet.

Well, knock me over with a feather.

McJesus takes that prize (for now, anyway).

Good company to be mentioned in, kind of like when Mario & Wayne were both toward top of their games.

 

[shack]

Matthews is a very good player but maybe not the best of his generation yet.

It is highly unlikely that anybody could be declared the best of their generation after 5 years. Even Gretzky after 5 years, without knowing the rest of his career.

Mind you Matthews has a better chance of that designation than Carey Price. LOL.

You seem to like putting labels on people.

 

[gcostanza]

It is highly unlikely that anybody could be declared the best of their generation after 5 years. Even Gretzky after 5 years, without knowing the rest of his career.

Mind you Matthews has a better chance of that designation than Carey Price. LOL.

You seem to like putting labels on people.

Some people aren't interested if others don't look like them.

 

[Darts]

Guess who is putting labels on people/players.

"TBH, to think that there will be no more generational talents does not seem realistic. There's a reason that that term is used."

BTW: I think that both Matthews (unless something bad happens) and Price will both end up in the HHOF.

 

[Fun For All]

It is highly unlikely that anybody could be declared the best of their generation after 5 years. Even Gretzky after 5 years, without knowing the rest of his career.

Mind you Matthews has a better chance of that designation than Carey Price. LOL.

You seem to like putting labels on people.

I declared Gretzky the best of his generation before he even played an NHL game...

 

[shack]

I declared Gretzky the best of his generation before he even played an NHL game...

I've always appreciated your foresightedness.

 

[Darts]

I declared Gretzky the best of his generation before he even played an NHL game...

Yes, I think we can say the same for Bobby Orr. He was 14 playing junior against players as much as 5 years older. If not for the age rule, he probably could have turned pro before 18.

I think Harry Howell (probably others too) said Orr has the Norris wrapped up for the next 10 years (something like that). Too bad back in the day they never heard of "load management" and the miracles they can do to repair knees now.

Hey Fun For All, are we acting appropriate bring Gretzky and Orr into a Matthews thread? Will someone and his two buddies get upset?