Auston Matthews point projections

[pmorrow]

Let's see what people think Matthews will do as a rookie before the fantasy magazines come out.

[Slickricks]

I'd give him 45 points most likely. The thing that hinders him in my opinion is that he is a center. I see him as a toews type and fantasy wise is good but guys like Laine and puljarvi have a higher point ceiling on the wings

[Dennis4022]

56 points exactly

[Sulla]

55-60 tends to be the ballpark for rookies generally. Though he has the potential to post more based on skill I think Babcock protects him with minutes etc so think he lands right in the middle of that bracket

[havanablast21]

I like Mr.Matthews for 55-60 points.

[Pit Bulls]

Best guess is 50-55 pts

[Eskimo Brother]

I was debating which side of 50 I wanted to toss him on, and knowing Babcock is there, I had to take the lower one. I think about 20 pts the first half of the season, and then 25-30 in the second half.

[Sulla]

I think the 'deal breaker' here will be the PP time. IF he lands on PP1 I think that the uptick is there

[Eskimo Brother]

I think the 'deal breaker' here will be the PP time. IF he lands on PP1 I think that the uptick is there

My thinking as well, and I am predicting the M. Rielly treatment from last season. He won't start with it, but he will play his way onto it by mid-season.

[Sulla]

probably... he knows the likes of JVR, Bozak etc are still serviceable and Babcock isn't the type of coach to just hand over to the kids

[Eskimo Brother]

probably... he knows the likes of JVR, Bozak etc are still serviceable and Babcock isn't the type of coach to just hand over to the kids

Plus the kids from last year are already stealing ice. Nylander, Hyman, Sosh, etc.

[Sulla]

only so much ice time to go around... predicting Leafs lines right now is fun (but also another reason I thin Marner goes back to juniors)

[Eskimo Brother]

only so much ice time to go around... predicting Leafs lines right now is fun (but also another reason I thin Marner goes back to juniors)

Yeah, Marner definitely is the biggest wildcard. Probably have him as wing for the couple trial games he gets, but it's either top two lines for the season, or back to junior.

[Sherpa]

Agreed that the offensive keys won't be handed to him at the start. Matthews will have to earn it. A slow start of 18 points in the first half, ramping up to a 28 point second half.

So, if my pre-coffee mental state is right, that makes a 46 point prediction from me.

[lucafen4]

If the multitude of comments about his internal drive are on point, he will only be protected through October at most. He'll adjust and push Babcock into a position of having to give him top 6 or top 3 minutes. Crawford prepared him well for this next step. I think it'll be a toss up between him and Marner who pushes the hardest this summer and through the camps to get ready for this season.

He's more ready for the NHL than Eichel was last year and his linemates are better than people give him credit for - once he gets into the top 6. I've got him at 60-65pts 25-40 range