It’s time we start thinking about this Auston Matthews season a little differently. Not just as a great season. Not just as maybe the greatest season by a Leaf. But one of the greatest seasons, period, by anyone, ever.
Seriously. That’s not hyperbole.
Adjust for era and Matthews is on pace to have the second-best scoring season of all time. Only Brett Hull in the 1990-91 season scored it better than Matthews is scoring it right now — with 48 goals (!) in 52 games.
Single-season adjusted goal leaders
Rank
Player
Season
Adjusted goals
Brett Hull
Auston Matthews
Alex Ovechkin
Mario Lemieux
Phil Esposito
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Let’s take a second to absorb that. Matthews is scoring at a level — again, adjusted for the context of the era in which he plays — that exceeds, among others, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Mike Bossy and Alex Ovechkin.
This is legendary stuff.
Matthews already belongs on the Mount Rushmore of NHL goal scorers.
Narrow things down to the modern era and Matthews’ 2020-21 season, in which he scored 41 goals in 52 games, ranks 15th in the adjusted goal single-season rankings. His 60-goal season, oddly, ranks 36th.
In short, this season is a whole ‘nother beast.
I mean, consider this crazy fact: This is already the second most goals Matthews has ever scored in an NHL season and he’s played 52 games.
Even crazier: Nikita Kucherov, a fellow Hart Trophy candidate, has never scored 48 goals in a season. Neither has another MVP contender this season, Nathan MacKinnon.
Sidney Crosby’s career high in a season is 51 goals. Evgeni Malkin tops out at 50. Matthews will probably breeze past there this week.
Matthews just passed John Tavares’ career high of 47 in the middle of February, meanwhile.
Matthews registered his sixth hat trick of the season over the weekend. That’s six hat tricks in 52 games or a hat trick for Matthews in 11.5 percent of his games this season. That total is already tied for the 11th most in NHL history.
The only players, in modern times, to win more hats: Gretzky, who holds the record with 10 (he did it twice), Bossy and Lemieux with nine apiece, Hull with eight, and the trio of Phil Esposito, Richard Martin and Alex Mogilny with seven.
Matthews needs only 16 even-strength goals over the final 29 games to become the Leafs’ all-time leader. Another 19 goals, in any situation, and Matthews will pass Dave Keon for third in franchise history.
Matthews is only 73 goals from catching Mats Sundin for most goals ever by a Leaf. He’s played in 448 fewer games than Sundin to this point.
Matthews is on track to break his own franchise record for goals in a season (60). He should get there by March, heck maybe even sooner.
Think about that. Matthews might have his second 60-goal season, and the franchise record, before Easter.
Auston Matthews has hat tricks in back-to-back games. (Mark Blinch / NHLI via Getty Images)
All of which will give him claim to arguably the greatest season by a Leaf in modern times, yes even better (maybe?) than Doug Gilmour’s legendary 1992-93 season, which saw him net 127 points. Matthews is on pace for an adjusted points total of 109 that would rank No. 1 among Leafs in the modern era. (That Gilmour campaign ranks fourth.)
What makes this season all the more remarkable, and all the more unprecedented, is that Matthews is scoring like this while defending like a champ — like a legitimate Selke Trophy contender.
Hull, Ovechkin, Lemieux, Gretzky, those guys were never that. Nobody was ever that.
The Athletic had Matthews ranked fourth in the Selke race last week. They also placed him fourth in the Hart Trophy race and well, maybe it’s time to rethink that.
Matthews should probably be a co-favourite right now.
Now, you might say, “Come on, Matthews is more than 20 points behind Kucherov in the scoring race.”
To which I would respond:
1. Goals are the most valuable commodity and Matthews has the most of them, a dozen more than Kucherov. 2. Matthews is scoring like that with elite defence. 3. Set aside secondary assists and Matthews is right there with the other Hart contenders in scoring.
In fact, heading into play on Sunday, Matthews trailed only Kucherov in primary points.
NHL primary point leaders
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If Matthews keeps this up and produces only the 15th season 70-goal season in NHL history — and first in 31 years — and does it with top-tier defence, and drags the Leafs to the playoffs, his case for a second MVP will be hard to top.
Should he win it if Kucherov, say, gets to 140 points and finishes maybe 30 points clear of Matthews?
Well, we do have some precedent for that. That aforementioned Hull season, the greatest goal-scoring season by anyone adjusted for era, that season won Hull his first and only Hart Trophy.
He beat out Gretzky, who had 32 more points.
To be fair, Hull scored 86 goals that year — 35 (!) more than anyone else.
Matthews won’t have that advantage obviously. But he’s headed for a third Rocket with a nearly unprecedented level of scoring and unlike Hull, unlike anyone, combining it with Selke-level defence.
This isn’t normal. This is greatness.
Points
1. Tyler Bertuzzi scored for the first time since Dec. 27 in a blowout win over the Ducks on Saturday. Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe had been emphasizing the good in Bertuzzi’s game during the drought — the chances he was creating for himself and others.
“Bert’s made a lot of plays,” Keefe said hours before Bertuzzi ended a 19-game drought. “He’s created a lot of loose pucks on the forecheck for his linemates.”
Subtle stuff like this against the Flyers last week:
Bertuzzi’s extra effort creates the pressure for a turnover, which leads to a chance for Tavares.
That’s not enough. The Leafs need Bertuzzi to score too. They need him to lead the second wave of scoring behind the big four forwards. He’s paid to do so. The question is whether that’s still in him. Bertuzzi has scored 15 goals in his last 102 regular season games.
Said Keefe: “I still feel really strongly, this guy is going to be a very important player for us. I think this guy is fearless, he’s a competitor … He’s been a gamer when it really counts.”
Keefe was referring to not only Bertuzzi’s first NHL playoffs with Boston last spring, when he potted five goals and 10 points in seven games, but back even further than that. Bertuzzi was MVP of the AHL playoffs in 2017 for the Calder Cup-winning Grand Rapids Griffins. He had 10 goals and 17 points in 18 games when the Guelph Storm won the OHL championship in 2014.
The Leafs clearly believe (hope?) that guy will return later this spring.
It looks like the Leafs will be unveiling a five-forward No. 1 power-play unit.
Tyler Bertuzzi joins Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and a returning John Tavares. pic.twitter.com/TkBdlRobPJ
2. This recent observation from Keefe on Bertuzzi stuck out: “He’s got to work at his game. He’s gotta practice, he’s gotta shoot with a purpose, he’s gotta take every rep in practice and have it be meaningful.”
Keefe said he discussed all of that with Bertuzzi.
It’s customary to see Matthews fine-tuning his one-timer before and after practice. Same with Tavares and his skating and William Nylander and his cutbacks. Not Bertuzzi. Not until recently. He practiced slot shots earlier this month with Guy Boucher and worked on receiving pucks on his backhand with skills coach Denver Manderson over the weekend.
3. Bobby McMann’s first 26 games this season: Two goals. Bobby McMann’s last three games this season: Five goals.
Keefe highlighted the key for McMann in the big picture: The 27-year-old (he’ll be 28 in June) had to establish a role for himself in the NHL. In other words, what exactly could the Leafs count on from him every night?
McMann doesn’t kill penalties, for instance. If he’s not going to score even a little from lower in the lineup, what’s his role exactly? If he can score a bit, on the other hand, and bring a modest speed/physicality combo, McMann could have a long NHL career as a bottom-six contributor.
4. Something for Keefe and his staff to maybe consider when they get healthier: Playing McMann with Max Domi in more offensive situations. McMann has played almost exclusively with the offensively limited David Kämpf for most of his brief NHL career.
Bobby McMann has five goals in his last three games. (John E. Sokolowski / USA Today)
5. One of the crazier aspects of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner becoming the most productive duo in Leafs history: They hardly played together during their first NHL three seasons, just 275 even-strength minutes total. For context, Matthews logged over 3000 even-strength minutes without Marner. This season alone, the two of them have spent over 600 even-strength minutes alongside one another.
Auston Matthews & Mitch Marner have now factored on the same goal 210 times
Most ever by a pair of teammates in Leafs franchise history … breaks a tie with Darryl Sittler & Lanny McDonald
8. Joseph Woll was snipping a healthy chunk of white tape off his ankle following Sunday’s practice. It doesn’t sound like Woll is quite ready to return. He’s expected to miss his 31st straight game Monday at home in Missouri. Said Keefe: “He’s just gotta continue to work through it and get to a point where he himself feels comfortable, confident to be playing games.”
What doesn’t help Woll this week: The Leafs have no scheduled practices on their upcoming road trip. Less time, in other words, to keep getting comfortable and confident.
—Stats and research courtesy of Stat Head, Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference, and Evolving Hockey
EDMONTON – The Edmonton Oilers signed defenceman Travis Dermott to a professional tryout on Friday.
Dermott, a 27-year-old from Newmarket, Ont., produced two goals, five assists and 26 penalty minutes in 50 games with the Arizona Coyotes last season.
The six-foot, 202-pound blueliner has also played for the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Toronto drafted him in the second round, 34th overall, of the 2015 NHL draft.
Over seven NHL seasons, Dermott has 16 goals and 46 assists in 329 games while averaging 16:03 in ice time.
Before the NHL, Dermott played two seasons with Oilers captain Connor McDavid for the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters. The team was coached by current Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins will bring in another quarterback while starter Tua Tagovailoa deals with his latest concussion, coach Mike McDaniel said Friday.
For now, Skylar Thompson will be considered the Dolphins’ starter while Tagovailoa is sidelined. Tagovailoa left Thursday night’s 31-10 loss to Buffalo in the third quarter with the third known concussion of his NFL career, all of them coming in the last 24 months.
“The team and the organization are very confident in Skylar,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel said the team has not made any decision about whether to place Tagovailoa on injured reserve. Tagovailoa was expected at the team facility on Friday to start the process of being evaluated in earnest.
“We just have to operate in the unknown and be prepared for every situation,” McDaniel said, noting that the only opinions that will matter to the team will be the ones from Tagovailoa and the medical staff.
McDaniel added that he doesn’t see Tagovailoa playing in Miami’s next game at Seattle on Sept. 22.
“I have no idea and I’m not going to all of a sudden start making decisions that I don’t even see myself involved in the most important parts of,” McDaniel added. “All I’m telling Tua is everyone is counting on you to be a dad and be a dad this weekend. And then we’ll move from there. There won’t be any talk about where we’re going in that regard … none of that will happen without doctors’ expertise and the actual player.”
Tagovailoa was 17 for 25 passing for 145 yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions — one of which was returned for a Buffalo score — when he got hurt. Thompson completed eight of 14 passes for 80 yards.
Thompson said he feels “fully equipped” to run the Dolphins’ offense.
“What’s going to lie ahead, who knows, but man, I’m confident, though,” Thompson said after Thursday’s game. “I feel like I’m ready for whatever’s to come. I’m going to prepare and work hard and do everything I can to lead this team and do my job.”
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion for the third time in his NFL career, leaving his team’s game Thursday night against Buffalo after running into defensive back Damar Hamlin and hitting the back of his head against the turf.
Tagovailoa remained down for about two minutes before getting to his feet and walking to the sideline after the play in the third quarter. He made his way to the tunnel not long afterward, looking into the stands before smiling and departing toward the locker room.
The Dolphins needed almost no time before announcing it was a concussion. The team said he had two during the 2022 season, and Tagovailoa was diagnosed with another concussion when he was a college player at Alabama.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa would get “proper procedural evaluation” and “appropriate care” on Friday.
“The furthest thing from my mind is, ‘What is the timeline?’ We just need to evaluate and just worry about my teammate, like the rest of the guys are,” McDaniel said. “We’ll get more information tomorrow and take it day by day from here.”
Some players saw Tagovailoa in the locker room after the game and said they were encouraged. Tagovailoa spoke with some players and then went home after the game, McDaniel said.
“I have a lot of love for Tua, built a great relationship with him,” said quarterback Skylar Thompson, who replaced Tagovailoa after the injury. “You care about the person more than the player and everybody in the organization would say the same thing. Just really praying for Tua and hopefully everything will come out all right.”
Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212 million extension before this season — a deal that makes him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL — and was the NFL’s leading passer in Week 1 this season. Tagovailoa left with the Dolphins trailing 31-10, and that was the final score.
“If you know Tua outside of football, you can’t help but feel for him,” Bills quarterback Josh Allen said on Amazon following the game. “He’s a great football player but he’s an even greater human being. He’s one of the best humans on the planet. I’ve got a lot of love for him and I’m just praying for him and his family, hoping everything’s OK. But it’s tough, man. This game of football that we play, it’s got its highs and it’s got its lows — and this is one of the lows.”
Tagovailoa’s college years and first three NFL seasons were marred by injury, though he positioned himself for a big pay bump with an injury-free and productive 2023 as he led the Dolphins into the playoffs. He threw for 29 touchdowns and a league-best 4,624 yards last year.
When, or if, he can come back this season is anyone’s guess. Tagovailoa said in April 2023 that the concussions he had in the 2022 season left him contemplating his playing future. “I think I considered it for a time,” he said then, when asked if he considered stepping away from the game to protect himself.
McDaniel said it’s not his place to say if Tagovailoa should return to football. “He’ll be evaluated and we’ll have conversations and progress as appropriate,” McDaniel said.
Tagovailoa was hurt Thursday on a fourth-down keeper with about 4:30 left in the third. He went straight ahead into Hamlin and did not slide, leading with his right shoulder instead.
Hamlin was the player who suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during a Monday night game in January 2023 at Cincinnati, causing the NFL to suspend a pivotal game that quickly lost significance in the aftermath of a scary scene that unfolded in front of a national television audience.
Tagovailoa wound up on his back, both his hands in the air and Bills players immediately pointed at him as if to suggest there was an injury. Dolphins center Aaron Brewer quickly did the same, waving to the sideline.
Tagovailoa appeared to be making a fist with his right hand as he lay on the ground. It was movement consistent with something that is referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury.
Tagovailoa eventually got to his feet. McDaniel grabbed the side of his quarterback’s head and gave him a kiss on the cheek as Tagovailoa departed. Thompson came into the game to take Tagovailoa’s spot.
“I love Tua on and off the football field,” Bills edge Von Miller said. “I’m a huge fan of him. I can empathize and sympathize with him because I’ve been there. I wish him the best.”
Tagovailoa’s history with concussions — and how he has since worked to avoid them — is a huge part of the story of his career, and now comes to the forefront once again.
He had at least two concussions during the 2022 season. He was hurt in a Week 3 game against Buffalo and cleared concussion protocol, though he appeared disoriented on that play but returned to the game.
The NFL later changed its concussion protocol to mandate that if a player shows possible concussion symptoms — including a lack of balance or stability — he must sit out the rest of the game.
Less than a week later, in a Thursday night game at Cincinnati, Tagovailoa was concussed on a scary hit that briefly knocked him unconscious and led to him being taken off the field on a stretcher.
His second known concussion of that season came in a December game against Green Bay, and he didn’t play for the rest of the 2022 season. After that, Tagovailoa began studying ways where he may be able to fall more safely and protect himself against further injury — including studying jiu-jitsu.
“I’m not worried about anything that’s out of my hands,” McDaniel said. “I’m just worried about the human being.”
