Auston Matthews Is the Toronto Maple Leafs All-Time Best Player

Lack of a Stanley Cup Shouldn't Tarnish Matthews' Greatness

Critics of Matthews will point to his lack of team success, specifically in the playoffs. The Maple Leafs have made the playoffs every year of his career, but have only reached the second round once.

While that hangs like an albatross on his resume, his achievements far overshadow it.

Parity reigns supreme in today's NHL. The last four seasons have seen four teams win the Stanley Cup. Over Matthews' career with the Leafs, seven teams have won a championship in eight seasons.

Teams that have won multiple titles since 2006 include the Pittsburgh Penguins (3), Chicago Blackhawks (3), Los Angeles Kings (2), and the Tampa Bay Lightning (2). They were all led by a core of star players (sound familiar Leafs fans?)

Alex Ovechkin, the likely soon-to-be NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, suffered similar playoff disappointment to Matthews until finally attaining a title in his 14th season. Steve Yzerman and Ray Bourque were Hall-of-Fame players that had a long wait for the ultimate team success. Connor McDavid, hockey's best player, came close but is still searching for a championship.

Winning it all is not a linear progression. Greatness does not need to be justified by team success. There are Hall of Fame players in all walks of professional sports who were blocked by other great players or circumstances that negated their chance of winning a championship.

Matthews still has time to lead the Maple Leafs to the ultimate team goal, but he does not need it to prove his status.