Highly Respected Former NHL Head Coach Makes Surprising Statement About Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews is currently having the best season of his career, at least when it comes to scoring goals. Everyone around the hockey world has taken notice, including one notable former coach.
Joel Quenneville Makes Lavish Remark About Auston Matthews
That former coach is none other than Joel Quenneville. The three-time Stanley Cup champion is now infamous for his role in the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks scandal, but many around the hockey world still respect his opinions due to his coaching pedigree. This is what he had to say about Auston Matthews.
"He's fun to watch. I can remember when I was working with Don Granato in Chicago, who had him with the USNTDP... he used to say they used to beat teams pretty bad and Auston, by the third period, he used to have to tell Auston, 'okay, Auston, just take a little bit off here,' and instead of winning by 12 goals, maybe we win by 7 or 8. But he had a different level of ability. Domination might be part of it. I love the way he shoots the puck, I like how he finds a way to get himself open. The puck follows him around as well. Wants the puck all the time. You know, he's an elite, elite player. You're talking about McDavid and himself, maybe one, two in the game... Certainly Auston is having an outstanding year. He's got that knack [for scoring]. He's a great player."
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Matthews was certainly a special player even before he was first draft eligible as Quenneville saw him. As he aged out of the NTDP program, Matthews would go on to play his draft year hockey in Switzerland, where he scored well over a point-per-game in a professional league.
Matthews Continues Record-Setting Goal-Scoring Pace In Salary Cap Era
These comments come as Matthews continues to light the lamp in virtually every contest this year. The superstar goal-scorer recorded his 52nd tally last night, capping off a dominant 7-3 victory over the Golden Knights.
With 52 goals in 55 games so far, Matthews is currently on pace for 78 goals. The current record for goals in a single season in the salary cap era is 65, set by Alex Ovechkin in 2008. As such, Matthews is set to blow that record out of the water with a strong possibility of passing the mark in the next couple of weeks.
Needless to say, the Leafs will be must-watch television for the remainder of the season as Auston Matthews looks to have one of the best goal-scoring seasons of all time.
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