Calling All Leafs Fans (and other fantasy enthusiasts)

[DusterDave]

Who do you like more for this season, John Tavares or Auston Matthews? It?s close and most rankings have these guy flip flopped, but who do you prefer and why? Only heading into this season (not keeper) and let?s say full offensive stats. So, G, A, PPP, SOG, +/- etc.

They are projected to both be on PP1 and both get very similar ice time in general. This isn?t for any league specifically, just curiousity really.

[2014olympicgold]

I'm going to guess Tavares.

No facts or stats to back it up, but just feeling it. He'll get you faceoff wins if that's a category in your league. Nothing worse than having a centre only get you 300/400 FW on the season.

[Zorro]

Tavares as he will be playing regularly with Marner!!

[DusterDave]

Tavares as he will be playing regularly with Marner!!

This will likely be the best point made in this thread.

[metaldude26]

I have Tavares for slightly more points, but Matthews a slightly better per-game scoring mark.

[Wonko]

I give the edge to Tavares. He is the 'guy' in Toronto right now (my opinion). Plus Marner.

[FrozenInferno]

Give me Tavares-Marner over Matthews-????? (Nylander isn't signed yet, but even with him on AM34's wing I still take the other pair).

It's not that I don't love Matthews too but what we've seen in the preseason from JT-MM is only a taste of what's to come IMO.

Ask this question in another year or two when Matthews REALLY starts hitting his prime and it could very well be a different answer.

I have to say as a Leafs fan it's a great problem to have when you can't decide which star center you like the most. Much better than the days of picking between Kadri and Bozak!

[lucafen4]

I'll take Matthews. For this reason - he's more talented offensively than Tavares. Yup, I said it.

His sophomore slump was injuries and a point/game pace.

If Hyman is truly moving off AM34's wing - then there's a real chance for him to create with two wingers vs. one. whether it's Marleau or Johnsson - and Nylander as soon as he signs

[hockeyrobot]

I like JT. Playing with Marner. Not as injury prone. Looking to produce in Year 1.

[DusterDave]

I was hoping the thread wouldn?t be lopsided to one side or another and it hasn?t been. Some very solid points for both players.

For me, I 100% agree that Matthews is the better overall player all things considered. But from a fantasy perspective, and I mean this season only at this point, I lean a little towards Tavares. The Marner affect is huge in my opinion, it isn?t over blown at all. Tavares is also Babcock?s new toy and they have some background together from the international competitions. Remember, this is Babcock, tie will go to the veteran for more ice time and ideal offensive situations.

[lucafen4]

I was hoping the thread wouldn?t be lopsided to one side or another and it hasn?t been. Some very solid points for both players.

For me, I 100% agree that Matthews is the better overall player all things considered. But from a fantasy perspective, and I mean this season only at this point, I lean a little towards Tavares. The Marner affect is huge in my opinion, it isn?t over blown at all. Tavares is also Babcock?s new toy and they have some background together from the international competitions. Remember, this is Babcock, tie will go to the veteran for more ice time and ideal offensive situations.

There's also the possibility Marner flips to Matthews line during the season if offense slumps. they wanted to play on the same 5x5 line last year - that's something to consider as well. A small likelihood as Babs likes his pairs and will rotate another winger on and off that pair