Fansided

2020 NHL Season: Grading the Toronto Maple Leafs’ centers at season pause

By Simon Vacca

TORONTO,ON - JANUARY 8: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a shoot-out goal against the Winnipeg Jets during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 8, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Jets defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3 in a shootout. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO,ON - JANUARY 8: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a shoot-out goal against the Winnipeg Jets during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 8, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Jets defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3 in a shootout. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 11: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for play to resume against the Arizona Coyotes during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 11, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Coyotes 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 11: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for play to resume against the Arizona Coyotes during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 11, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Coyotes 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Auston Matthews

Games Played: 70
Goals: 47
Assists: 33
Points: 80

Over the course of the past while, Maple Leafs fans largely sung in the spirit of unity, hoping for a full 82 games from Auston Matthews — the franchise’s cornerstone piece.

Toronto’s supporters got a reasonable portion of their wish, as Matthews dressed for all 70 of the games that the team had played prior to the NHL’s pause in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. And what a season he was having.

Matthews was well on his way to surpassing Rick Vaive‘s franchise records of 54 goals in a regular season for the blue and white, in that the 22-year-old was embarking upon a 55-goal pace. He was also leading the club in points (80) and was entering the ballpark of a 94-point pace on the campaign at large.

As such, it was not just possible, but better yet plausible that Matthews was straining the edges of locking up a Rocket Richard Trophy, as well as some legitimate consideration for the Hart Memorial Trophy.

While there were still some areas for growth in Matthews’ game — as the center’s defensive effort continued to improve, but was at times lacking — he was Toronto’s best player during the 2019-20 season.

The fact that No. 34 played through a fairly serious wrist injury throughout most of January and gave fans little to no room for pause earns him high marks in the eyes of this writer.

Grade: A+

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