Mats Sundin pays Auston Matthews an incredible compliment
Growing up watching the Toronto Maple Leafs, I was blessed with the opportunity to watch Mats Sundin captain the Leafs. Sundin was a big bodied center that dictated the flow of play for the majority of his Maple Leafs' career. So when Sundin departed for the Vancouver Canucks it left a gaping void in the Maple Leafs' lineup.
Big bodied, game changing centers don't grow on trees and that's why it meant so much that the Maple Leafs were lucky enough to win the draft lottery, and the rights to select Auston Matthews. Since joining the Maple Leafs, all Matthews has done is excel in every facet of the game. He's developed into a generational two-way talent and he's already lined the Maple Leafs' Record Books with his name.
Maple Leafs' Legend, Mats Sundin, had an opportunity to speak about Matthews abilities when he sat down with Mike Zeisberger of NHL.com, after the 24-year-old, Matthews joined the Maple Leafs' 50 Goal Club:
He's got a great chance to eclipse a lot of, if not most, of the most prominent offensive franchise records in Toronto Maple Leafs history when all is said and done. He's got to stay healthy, of course, and stick around with the Leafs for a long time. If that happens, I mean, just look at the pace he's on. He's doing it already.
The records Sundin speaks of include two of his own. Sundin currently holds franchise records for most goals scored (420) and points (987). Sundin accomplished this over a 981 game career with the Maple Leafs.
When asked about his own records, Sundin went on to add the following:
He could break both of those. He's already on his way. Just look what he's been doing.
Sundin's high praise for Matthews was also issued by other Maple Leafs' greats like Doug Gilmour, Darryl Sittler and even Rick Vaive.
Matthews enters play tonight trailing Vaive by 4 goals for the franchise record for goals in a single season (54). But with 15 games remaining the real question becomes, does Matthews have what it takes to become the first player to score 60 goals since Steven Stamkos?
POLL |
AVRIL 2 | 943 ANSWERS Mats Sundin pays Auston Matthews an incredible compliment Will Auston Matthews hit 60 goals? |
Yes | 847 | 89.8 % |
No | 96 | 10.2 % |
List of polls |
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11 hours ago | By Dean Chaudhry Ex-Leafs Enforcer Turned Podcaster Shares Strong Opinion on Auston Matthews Situation |
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16 hours ago | By Mike Armenti Ex-NHLer Accuses Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs of Being Dishonest with the Public |
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Dec 24 | By Dean Chaudhry Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews Believed to Have Reached an Understanding Surrounding His Health |
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Dec 24 | By Mike Armenti Spittin' Chiclets Co-Host Has a Special Message for Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews |
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Dec 24 | By Ryan Smitheram Maple Leafs' Update on Chris Tanev Not Enough to Satiate Fans |
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Dec 24 | By Ryan Smitheram Insider Reveals Power Struggle Between Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs |
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Dec 24 | By Dean Chaudhry Legendary Maple Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen Shares Special Moment with His Son on Live Telecast |
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Dec 24 | By Nick Matthews TSN Analyst Preps Maple Leafs Fans on Potential Recovery Plan for Auston Matthews |
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily