The Post World Juniors 2016 Mock Draft Scouting Report- Auston Matthews

By. Arais Farah

Welcome! Or as the World Junior gold medal winning Finnish players would say, Tervetuloa, to the post World Junior Tournament 2016 NHL Mock Draft. The always exciting annual World Juniors brought about a shift in stock for draft eligible players who participated in the tournament, as well as players who were cut from the national teams. In the coming weeks, I will post a new player and his ranking, followed by a scouting report based on his juniors/European pro games as well as tournament performance if applicable. 

1. Auston Matthews: 

ZSC Lions of the Champions Hockey League 

Center 

6’2 194 lbs

Pros: Auston Matthews resembles the type of player you would essentially create in NHL 16’s be-a-pro mode. He’s a hockey player in every sense of the term. Matthews is big, fast, has elite skill, drives play and doesn’t shy away from contact. He’s an elite skater with great edge work and balance that helps him cut through defenders as well as protecting the puck with his strong lower body. His acceleration and top gear are among the best in the draft and he has that breakaway speed that puts fear into opposing defensemen. Correspondingly, he possesses the elite puck skills needed to be a dominate number one pivot in the National Hockey League. 

Not only can he can stickhandle a puck through a phone booth, but he can stickhandle the puck with confidence at high speeds, in a way that backs off defenders. Defensemen will not be able to play him tightly on a consistent basis because of his ability to essential skate right around you. Backing off defenders allows him to make more accurate passes, or shoot the puck. I compare this to a point guard in basketball with great handles and slashing ability. He has an elite snapshot, a lightning quick release that is accurate and gets on net. His shot reminds you of the old hockey adage: “the puck has eyes.”

Matthews has elite vision, with great passing abilities. He has the ability to make accurate tape to tape passes on the move consistently, leading players in breakout passes as a quarterback would lead his wide receiver. He is confident with his saucer passes over a defender’s stick with precision. Matthews excels down low and on the half board inside the offensive zone where his vision, hands, size and balance allow him to make quick decisions to create scoring chances. 

He’s a possession player, usually the leading puck carrier on zone entries and continuously making the right play to get the puck into the offensive zone. He’s the high man on the breakout and is so elusive with the puck in the neutral zone rarely turning over the puck. His size and skating ability allows him to do this. Matthews has that ability to draw in multiple defenders to not only open up the ice for his linemates, but with the ability to beat both. He likes to carry the puck for an extra split second to get his linemates in the perfect positions to score.

Auston Matthews has produced at every level, from minors and juniors, to the pro level where he has excelled against men. He is the best player in this year’s draft and is a near generational talent. His game is cerebral; I compare his game to that of a Jonathan Toews where he will play in all situations and if healthy be the best player on a Stanley Cup winning franchise.

Cons: His game leaves little to be desired. He is 18, so there is room for improvement in terms of gaining the strength and stamina needed to play an 82 game schedule in the NHL. Furthermore, he will also need work on defensive zone responsibilities before coming into the NHL, although playing professional hockey in Switzerland against men have accelerated his defensive acumen. There may be concerns over durability as he has been injured in his first year as a pro. 

Auston Matthews has produced well at every level and in every junior tournament, however, he was outshone by two draft eligible peers, Finnish prospects Jesse Puljujarvi and Patrik Laine. This more so raises their draft stock than hurting Matthews. All three played in the 2016 World Junior Championship tournament and Puljujarvi and Laine won gold while eclipsing Matthews point totals. Matthews still tied for the United States lead in scoring in the World Junior Championship with eleven points and tied in goals with seven. He was dominant, played heavy minutes against the oppositions best defensemen and raised no eyebrows after the tournament. 

Photos courtesy of:

nhl.com (Top)

sportsnet.ca (Middle)

todaysslapshot.com (Bottom)