SKY’S LIMIT FOR MATTHEWS
Expectations are he will get better
If there’s a ceiling for Auston Matthews, not even the 6-foot-7 Brian Boyle thinks he can see it.
“I’m not even qualified to answer that,” Boyle said Tuesday. “The kid is … he does everything well and I’m kind of at a loss (for words).
“It was a treat to watch that kid play hockey. I was talking to him and (saying) he should be going to the senior prom in a week or so. The kid is mature beyond his years. I think the fans are going to be enjoying his play for a number of years.”
Fans in Toronto certainly enjoyed it during 2016-17 as Matthews separated himself from the Winnipeg Jets’ Patrik Laine and the rest of the rookie class, scoring 40 goals before scoring four more in the playoffs.
Few figure Matthews, the Calder Trophy favourite, will take a step back once the puck drops on the 2017-18 season. There’s no argument that Matthews will see harder competition as an NHL sophomore, but there’s nothing to suggest he won’t topple it.
Matthews was great for the Leafs in the sprint to a playoff spot, recording 14 points in the final 13 games. As the hockey got more intense, the 19-year-old Matthews kept producing.
The Leafs had a pretty good idea they were getting a franchise player with the first pick; they learned it was true as the months wore on.
General manager Lou Lamoriello didn’t say yes when we asked him if he had seen enough out of Matthews to comfortably say the centre could be the next captain of the Leafs. Lamoriello didn’t say no, either.
“I don’t think that’s a discussion for today,” Lamoriello said. “What we saw of Auston was a very mature young man both on and off the ice, who has tremendous respect for his teammates, wants to be the best he can be. You saw that in how hard he worked in playing defence and how receptive he was to coaching. Whatever the future brings, it brings.”
As much as Matthews wowed his teammates with what he accomplished during games — it’s still a bit crazy to think that only Sidney Crosby scored more goals — the actions of the Arizona native in the dressing room spoke to his character.
Several Leafs have said Matthews often commented on the smaller details he saw in their game, and would be complimentary. There was no superstar air about the kid. Rather, Matthews became just one of the guys, never mind what he was doing when he went over the boards.
The expectations on Matthews and on the Leafs as a team will be that much greater starting next October. They’re not going to surprise anyone. Long gone are the days when backup goalies would glance at the schedule, note games against the Leafs and count on getting a start.
“I think he’ll come back better than ever,” defenceman Matt Hunwick said. “Expectations will be high for him, but he’s one of those guys who can handle it. He has a great demeanour and work ethic and a skill set to match it.
“And he’s one of those players whose game transitions great to the playoffs because he’s a big guy, he’s heavy and he knows where to go.”
Matthews happily will meet challenges head-on.
“I can’t wait,” Matthews said. “Everybody in this locker-room, in this organization, in the city of Toronto, is excited for the future and what this team could bring.”
First, though, some welldeserved rest.
“Exhausted,” was how Matthews said he felt.
Said Babcock: “He wants to be the best player, and guys who want to be the best player usually don’t have too much trouble bearing down and getting to work. A good year for Auston, he enjoyed this city, the city enjoyed him, but he needs to get better and he knows that.”