Maple Leafs draft Auston Matthews 1st overall
It was a formality: The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Auston Matthews with the first overall pick at the 2016 NHL Draft on Friday.
Auston Matthews
Position: Center
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 194 pounds
Age: 18
Club: Zurich (Switzerland National League)
Nationality: American
| GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 24 | 22 | 46 |
Matthews' journey to Friday night was an unconventional one. The 18-year-old was born in San Ramon, Calif., and grew up in Scottsdale, Ariz. He didn't play junior or college hockey, instead spending three years in the United States Hockey League before playing his draft year for Zurich in the Swiss League - where he acquitted himself more than adequately.
The teenager played at better than a point-per-game pace among men in Switzerland, proof that he boasts a very high hockey IQ. In addition to being offensively gifted, he plays a complete game. He's got elite hands, and he's a strong, excellent skater. He's more than NHL-ready, he's the total package.
Marc Crawford, who coached Matthews in Zurich, had nothing but praise for the forward in a profile in The Globe and Mail.
His puck-handling skills are off the chart. I'm always amazed at the things he can do. And it really translates in a game. His short-area game is at an NHL level for sure - and it’s at an NHL-elite level. I believe that's a lot of what the game is becoming. Those little plays that you make when you're getting checked. People are pinching up so much more now and there's so much confrontation at the blue lines that you've got to be able to make plays in that five-foot area. You've got to be able to protect the puck and get by people. He does those things exceptionally well.
During the Stanley Cup Final, Matthews was asked what one attribute he'd steal from a player on the Pittsburgh Penguins or San Jose Sharks. "Sidney Crosby's puck-protection skills," he said. The kid gets it.
Matthews impressed outside of Switzerland in 2015-16, too. He had seven goals and four assists in seven games for the U.S. at the World Junior Hockey Championship, and six goals and three assists in 10 games at the World Championship. All eyes were on him during both tournaments, yet he performed, and that will serve him well as he heads north.
The prospect base in Toronto is that much stronger Friday night with the addition of Matthews, who immediately rises to the top of the group. The Maple Leafs' future is Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner. That's something, yeah.
For the first time since Mats Sundin patrolled the middle in Toronto, the Maple Leafs have a prospect who projects to be a No. 1 center.
View a video of Matthews highlights here.