Toronto Maple Leafs: Matthews Deserves Attention

In case you hadn’t noticed, Toronto Maple Leafs star forward, Auston Matthews, has been positively red-hot to start the regular season.

Curiously, ever since the regular season began, multiple reports have detected a certain unexplained phenomenon occurring across Canada. If said reports are to be believed, there seems to be a high pitched whining sound being emitted from various locations, faintly audible in the Autumn air.

Naturally, as a man with precisely zero scientific qualifications, I have taken it upon myself to crack this case. After countless long nights consisting of sleep deprivation and number crunching, I am happy to report that I’ve done it. I have successfully located the sources responsible for this deeply unpleasant, and frankly immature noise.

According to my calculations, the birthplace of this whining can be traced back to all of the 6 other Canadian NHL cities, with increased tantrums originating in Alberta. Once I located the sources, determine the cause was easy. All of this whining has clearly resulted from an abundance of Auston Matthews-related jealousy.

However, in the name of science, such an unequivocal conclusion must possess facts to support it. Buckle up.

Population Crunch

Let me hit you with some numbers. According to the 2017 Canadian Census, the the city of Winnepeg’s total population is 705,224. Edmonton’s is 923,546, with Ottawa’s coming in slightly higher with 934,243. What do these cities all have in common?

For one, they happen to be where the highest per capita rate of Leafs-centric complaining occurs. Yet, most notably, each city’s population fails to make up of even half of Toronto’s, which registers at 2,731,571. And that’s just Toronto-proper. I’m going to be nice enough and ignore Mississauga, a Toronto suburb whose population is 721,599.

Funnily enough, that’s higher than Winnepeg’s. Shocking stuff. So, why have I hit you with population statistics? Allow me to explain.

The Canadian media’s blanket coverage of all things Matthews has led a number of rival fans to get Mad Online™. Such a development should have been entirely predictable. Instead, it has only succeeded in thoroughly perplexing me.

Basic Logic

This is not simply because Matthews is experiencing a fantastic start to the season. A start that is, for the record, statistically superior to that of every player who resides on a Canadian team’s roster. No, what really butters my biscuit is the realization that these complaints seem to be formed with the willful dismissal of basic logic.

How can one possibly be surprised when a star player, who plays in Canada’s most highly populated city, begins to receive increased media coverage? Are you against sports outlets turning a profit?

With all due respect, the Ottawa Senators consistently fail to sell out playoff games. If Sens fans can’t succeed in filling their own arena, why should outlets feel obligated to expend valuable resources in order to cover them?

Here’s a better idea instead. Take all of that Mad Online energy, and channel it directly into supporting your own team. It’s certainly a better strategy than this.

Location Location Location

The Canadian sports media industry currently functions as a monopoly. Aside from scant segments on local news, TSN and Sportsnet are the lone options for Canadians to consume content. In spite of their professional competition, both TSN and Sportsnet have one particular thing in common. Can you guess what it is? If you said it’s that both of their head offices happen to be located in Toronto, you’re correct! Bravo.

So, the nation’s two giant sports conglomerates both reside in Toronto. Currently, Toronto’s hockey team, which happens to be the most financially valuable of the 7 Canadian franchises, is performing pretty well. Is it really that shocking of a development that these outlets have decided to report on it?

Do Boston Red Sox fans moan about “bias” when they hear New York-based radio host, and first person to fall asleep on the air, Mike Francesa kick his show off with an hour of Aaron Judge love? No, they don’t. And Red Sox fans get mad about everything.

Instead, they’re aware of the show’s location. It’s a novelty concept, one which allows them to comprehend the fact that Mike is simply discussing what the majority of his audience wants to hear. That mantra is exactly what sports radio was founded upon. Being less self aware than a Red Sox fan isn’t necessarily rock bottom, but it’s pretty darn close.

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Accessible Options

TSN currently owns a empire of locally-based sports radio stations that spans across Canada. These stations can be found in Edmonton, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal. Sportsnet has broken into Western Canada as well, with stations popping up in Vancouver and Calgary. Now, I don’t reside in any of those cities. But, if I did, and I happened to tune into my area’s affiliated station, I’d likely be rewarded with all the team-specific discussion my heart could desire.

I’d recommend adhering to this method. It’s certainly more productive than heading to TSN’s Toronto-based radio website, typing in “Auston Matthews”, and then getting mad when applicable results pop up. Just a thought.

Matthews Earned It

Lost in this sea of Napoleon complexes lies one seminal fact: Auston Matthews is good. Like, really really good.

Don’t worry, guys. I’m not going to tell you to “shut up” if you disagree. What I will tell you, however, is that Matthews has more than earned each and every word of praise that’s been spoken about him.

His was a rookie season for the ages. Matthews scored 40 goals, in a year that saw the NHL seriously consider expanding their nets to remedy a scoring drought. Auston topped the entire NHL in goals scored at even strength with 31, a feat practically unheard of for a rookie. He was also just 3 measly votes away from unanimously winning the Calder Trophy. And he achieved all of this while also leading the basement dwelling Maple Leafs back to the playoffs.

Matthews is for real. And the sooner Canada accepts this reality, the happier they’ll be.

Star Power

Throughout it’s history, the most common criticism levied at the NHL is that it suffers from a lack of “star power”.

When compared to the neighbouring major sports leagues, this becomes apparent. The NBA, NFL and MLB all seem to consistently ride a conveyor belt full of charismatic superstars right into the limelight. Alternatively, once Wayne Gretzky retired in 1999, the NHL underwent an era where it was all but forgotten by mainstream audiences. Thankfully, the world breaking talents of Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin soon entered the league and claimed back some credibility. Albeit their debuts occurred on the back of a full season lockout.

However, we are just 3 short seasons removed from Jamie Benn claiming the Art Ross Trophy on the back of an 87 point season. The NHL desperately needs superstars, and Auston Matthews happens to be one. Getting mad for him being treated as such just accomplishes two outcomes. One, it casts your entire fanbase in an extremely unflattering light. And two, it necessitates that you actively root against the success of hockey itself.

Next: Editor In Leaf Roundtable

Besides, Montreal, you’ve lost your right to complain. You guys actually had the league’s most marketable superstar in P.K. Subban. Yet, instead of cherishing him, you traded him for being too marketable.