Written By: Cameron Schoffro
The Hart race is heating up between Auston Matthews and Igor Sheshterkin. In this respect, Matthews has already surpassed every skater in the NHL, his value can only be compared to a goaltender. While Sheshterkin has been phenomenal, he can't play every game or score goals. So, I would argue it's difficult for a goaltender to have the same impact as a franchise centre who affects every facet of the game. As of late, as in his last five games, his play has been subpar. Igor showed he is human when the New Jersey Devils chased him out of the net on Tuesday. Sheshterskin aside, Matthews only ranks 5th in points; why is he the consensus best skater?
All throughout minor hockey, coaches tell players, "an assist is just as good as a goal." Players don't believe it then, and they don't in the NHL, either. Scoring goals is the most important aspect of hockey, and since there can be two assists on one goal, they inherently hold less value. For example, you don't see the passer celebrating after a goal is scored; the shooter does. When you look back on the 2010 Olympics: Sidney Crosby's golden goal, who assisted Crosby? Jarome Iginla. But why isn't it Jarome Iginla's golden goal? Simply put, assists don't matter as much as goals. Assigning goals and assists equivalent value has devalued goal scorers for a long time, and people have finally seen the light with Matthews. Michael Bunting is great, but if I was in his spot on a line with Marner and Matthews for 82 games, I might finish with 15 assists. That's hyperbole, obviously, but the sentiment remains, assists take less talent.
At the time of writing, Auston has scored 46 goals in 57 games, but he started the season cold; in his last 40 games, Matthews has scored 39 goals. On the season, this is a scoring pace unmatched since Gretzky. Yes, Matthews is scoring goals at a faster pace than Alex Ovechkin ever has. In fact, over their careers, Matthews has a higher goals per game than Ovechkin. I'm the biggest Ovechkin fan I've ever met, this doesn't take away from his greatness, it simply contextualizes how impressive Matthews has been.
Auston is scoring at a historic pace, sure, but that must mean he's a defensive liability like Ovechkin, right? Actually, the exact opposite. Matthews is a frontrunner for the Selke, awarded to the best defensive forward. His defensive impact is almost as impressive as his goalscoring. He is the truest definition of a 200-foot player in the NHL right now. Since he doesn't kill penalties, he likely won't win the award, but he deserves serious consideration. Take his even-strength defensive goals above replacement of 4.8, higher than the perennial best defensive forward, Patrice Bergeron, at 4.5.
His detractors will say, "wait until the playoffs!" I know, you don't have to tell me. I will still enter the playoffs with low hopes for the Leafs. But in the regular season, Matthews is putting together the best season since the Greatest of All Time, we are witnessing history, and we need to appreciate it.
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