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Toronto Maple Leafs: Where Does Auston Matthews Rank Among Young NHL Stars?

By Eric Cruikshank

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 28: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck during an NHL pre-season game against the Detroit Red Wings at Scotiabank Arena on September 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 28: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck during an NHL pre-season game against the Detroit Red Wings at Scotiabank Arena on September 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO. – OCTOBER 21: St. Louis Blues rightwing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) reaches in to get the puck from Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Maker (8) during a NHL game between the Colorado Avalanche and the St. Louis Blues on October 21, 2019, at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO. – OCTOBER 21: St. Louis Blues rightwing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) reaches in to get the puck from Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Maker (8) during a NHL game between the Colorado Avalanche and the St. Louis Blues on October 21, 2019, at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

#15 – Cale Makar

So, we might be starting off with some controversy right off the bat.

Yes, Makar has not played a full season in the NHL, but there are times when it looks like he has been around the league for a while.

Makar gained some hype after his brief appearance during the playoffs last season in which he recorded six points through ten games, after never playing a single NHL game before. I can even admit I was not convinced that Makar was the real deal, but he has seriously lived up to the hype.

Makar was recently named the NHL’s rookie of the month for November, and is currently running away with the Calder Trophy race. He has now moved on to bigger things, creating a name for himself in contention for the Norris Trophy. Makar has 26 points in 26 games and is third in scoring among NHL defenseman only behind Dougie Hamilton and John Carlson.

There are times when Makar completely takes over the game on the offensive end, and if he improves his defensive numbers there is no question he could be considered a perennial Norris trophy candidate in the coming years.

#14 – Matthew Tkachuk

Matthew Tkachuk has become the most important piece of the Calgary Flames offence this season.

The Flames currently sit 6th in the Pacific division, and with their usual scorers Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau struggling to excel thus far, Calgary has leaned on their young power forward to carry the scoring load, who currently leads the team with 24 points through 29 games.

Opportunity has been a huge factor in what has made Matthew Tkachuk successful in the NHL. Being able to play on the top power play line, and on a top-six role, is what has given Tkachuk the chance to excel offensively.

Being one of three players to score over 100 points on the stacked London Knights roster in the 2015-16 season, his physicality and ability to score in close quarters are qualities that have translated well from his strong OHL career.

Tkachuk’s offensive impact is extremely noteworthy this season, as he leads the Flames forwards in CF% at 54.4%, due to the fact his body positioning and net-front presence opens up room for his other line mates to control the play.

#13 – Mathew Barzal

With the departure of John Tavares, Mathew Barzal has taken advantage of the opportunity to carry the offensive load for the Islanders.

After winning the Calder Trophy in 2018, Barzal led the Islanders to an incredible playoff run last season despite taking a significant dive in point production. Barzal has returned to form in 2019 with 23 points in 25 games thus far, and has continued to lead this surprisingly successful Islanders team who currently sit second in the Metropolitan division.

Barzal’s best moments are at full speed. He can skate circles around defenders while cycling the puck around the offensive zone by himself, dragging in defenders and leaving teammates open in positions where they can easily score.

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