What is Matthews worth?

[rtstr]

I own two picks in the upcoming draft that will be top 5: a guarantee that one is at least top 3, and a very good chance that one is 1st overall.

Ideally, I'd like to hang on to one pick and trade the other for prospects closer along.

First and foremost-- what is Matthews worth? Is he has good as Eichel?

Secondly-- how do you compare this year's 2nd-5th overall prospects to guys like Ehlers, Strome, Marner, etc.

[Axeman33]

I'd see him behind Eichel and McDavid but a step ahead of Marner and Strome. I'd put Ehlers somewhere right in the middle as well.

[JagrBomb]

McDavid
Eichel
Matthews
Ehlers
Strome*
Marner*


*pretty interchangeable, and could potentially leapfrog Ehlers but hard to do that now when Ehlers has already proven he's an NHL forward.

I think Matthews/Eichel are similar in value but again Eichel has proved a lot more given he's in the NHL.

[Goldendelicious]

I'd say a slight step behind McDavid, ahead of Eichel. If you want to ensure you have the best opportunity to get him, I would hang onto both picks (and package them if you don't win the lottery) for 1st overall

[rtstr]

I'd say a slight step behind McDavid, ahead of Eichel. If you want to ensure you have the best opportunity to get him, I would hang onto both picks (and package them if you don't win the lottery) for 1st overall

What if we throw Willie Nylander in the mix?

The guy that could potentially steal 1st overall from me offered his first rounder + Sam Morin for Nylander. What do you think? At best it's Matthews+Morin, at worst it's 5th overall+Morin

[Goldendelicious]

If your league is not scoring, hits, blocks and pims, I don't see Morin holding much value. But if you are, he is a valuable cog imo. It depends if you're willing to wait another year or too potentially for your return. If tis guaranteed top 5, I'd move Nylander for the pick + Morin if you score the categories listed above. I see Nylander being at best equal to the likes of Laine, Puljujarvi, Tkachuk and a good chance your pick is one of those 3.

[lucafen4]

If we're talking NHL production next year for Matthews, I think Eichel, Larkin, MacKinnon's 1st year are pretty good indicators as to what to expect as far as ceilings. He's not McDavid. I'm not sure how much playing in Europe is going to make a difference to his adjustments coming in. Longer term he's projected to consistently become a pt/gm player.

I think if you move Nylander you're rolling the dice a bit. If that pick becomes #5, you're now looking at possibly 2-3 years before you get any return. Nylander should be in the Leafs line up next season full time, and I'd expect 45+pts from him. If you already have 2 1st rounders I'd hold Nylander. There's a reason he's willing to part with a top 5 pick and Morin for Nylander. I wouldn't make that deal, but that's me. Nylander is further along and appears to be less of a risk. In some instances it's better to acquire as many assets as possible, but you are trading one nice shiny object for the newer nice shiny object (maybe).

[VintageVibe]

I'd put him right alongside Eichel.

McDavid

Matthews/Eichel

Ehlers/Marner/Strome

Matthews should be winning the calder next year while Marner will likely be serving a year in the AHL.

[The Bottlenecker]

I equate Matthews to Eichel, and would base any return for him or give to get him based on what I would want for Eichel.

[bluteau]

I heard Crawford who is coaching Matthews in Swiss and he said he is the best player there now and he said he his better than Eichel.

That is coach view but Marc know his hockey so for me
Mcdavid
Matthews
Eichel

[Rylant]

I heard Crawford who is coaching Matthews in Swiss and he said he is the best player there now and he said he his better than Eichel.

That is coach view but Marc know his hockey so for me
Mcdavid
Matthews
Eichel

Just because he said it, doesn't necessarily mean he believes it. It could just be a case of Crawford trying to support Matthews or trying to keep him motivated.

Rylant

[rtstr]

Just because he said it, doesn't necessarily mean he believes it. It could just be a case of Crawford trying to support Matthews or trying to keep him motivated.

Rylant

This makes me think of years ago when Semin said that Kane was the best player in the league and everyone thought it was hilarious.

Meanwhile, a couple years later, Patrick Kane is eating the NHL for breakfast.

(not saying he's the best in the league, just laughing at the irony of it)

[Goldendelicious]

Just because he said it, doesn't necessarily mean he believes it. It could just be a case of Crawford trying to support Matthews or trying to keep him motivated.

Rylant

I believe it was when he drafted Kadri that burke stood up and said immediately after that he was the best player in the draft and the guy who they would have taken #1 overall...coaches and Gms will say anything to increase their players stock.