BY: JOE KONZE JR
When the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Auston Matthews with the first overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Level Draft, excitement and high expectations quickly filled Maple Leaf Gardens’ surrounding streets.
Matthews checked every single box for what you would want in a franchise player. A lightning-quick release, a tremendous frame, lethal shot, soft hands, and dynamic playmaking ability. It all screamed offensive juggernaut.
The faint sound of “Go Leafs, Go!” that surrounded the franchise became stronger and more apparent around 50 Carlton St., as Maple Leafs fans, who haven’t seen their team hoist a Stanley Cup since 1967, started salivating at the thought of relevancy with every blistering shot that beat a goaltender so effortlessly.
Well, fast forward to the 2021 NHL season, and what was once a pipe dream for Maple Leafs fans just five seasons ago, is now becoming a reality.
Matthews is an elite goal scorer, plain and simple.
On Saturday night, Matthews scored two goals and added two assists in a 5-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. He became the first player since 2005-06 –– 15 years to be exact –– to score 18 goals in 18 games, which mind-boggling considering this has not happened often in league history.
Only Wayne Gretzky (three times), Mike Bossy (three times), Mario Lemieux (five times), and Brett Hull (once) have reached this feat. That’s a pretty elite and illustrious group to be part of, isn’t it?
But what is most impressive about Matthews is the rapid pace in which he is finding the back of the net.
Despite injuries early on in his career, Matthews impressed early on with a 40-goals-per-82-games pace four years ago in his rookie season, 45 his second season, 55 last season, and he is now tearing the cover off of the puck with an absurd goal-a-game eruption. With 176 goals in 300 games, he is currently on a career goals-per-game rate of 0.59. He trails only Mike Bossy, Mario Lemieux, Pavel Bure, Alex Ovechkin, and Wayne Gretzky all-time.
But wait, there is more.
When we talk about goals scored in 300 games, he’s tied for 10th all-time with Alexander Mogilny and Glen Anderson since 1979-80. Who is ahead of him you ask? Eight Hall of Famers and one future Hall of Famer in Ovechkin.
The scary part? Matthews is only 23-years-old and already setting the Maple Leafs’ franchise record books on fire.
For starters, his 176 goals in his NHL put him third on the Maple Leafs’ all-time list for goals through 300 games. He’s also already cracked the Top-20 in scoring in Maple Leafs franchise history, is tied with Gary Leeman at 176 goals, and he trails former Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessell (181 goals), who sits at No. 18, by five goals. Matthews is just 25 goals shy of the 12th spot on the list and will more than likely take over that spot by the end of the season.
With 10-15 more years of hockey left to play, a stroke of luck with good health, and the franchise’s success, Matthews could surpass Mats Sundin (420 goals) as the greatest Maple Leafs scorer of all-time.
Until then, Maple Leaf fans rejoice. Shout “Go Leafs, Go!” at the top of your lungs, and enjoy a 14-3-2 record in the NHL’s Scotia Division.
You’ve earned it.
The Sports Desk can be reached at editorialtrainwrecksports@gmail.com