Auston Matthews Will Be Team USA's Sidney Crosby
Auston Matthews was a force for Team North America and there were plenty of cries about the United States not having access to some of their youth on that club.
Team USA most likely wouldn’t have chosen Auston Matthews if they could have this year anyway – although he’s a much better option than most of their team – but the calls were there for his inclusion.
Matthews was a big player for the North American squad that narrowly missed the semi-final round of the World Cup. They beat the Sochi Olympic bronze and silver medalists during the round robin in an eye opening three games.
Now, let’s clarify. I’m not saying Auston Matthews will be as good as Sidney Crosby. I’m saying he will be Team USA’s Sidney Crosby. The generational leader that will bring greatness to a national program.
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The Americans iced a putrid (re: shameful) lineup for the World Cup and rightfully lost all of their games. There needs to be change and with Auston Matthews entering the NHL they’ll be able to build their future around the Toronto Maple Leafs young star.
The USA needs to move away from whatever concept they believe in right now because it doesn’t work. What works is skill, not savagery. Auston Matthews has skill – and he also has the face-of-a-country characteristics that mirror Sidney Crosby’s. It’s the latter that will keep Jack Eichel from being the face of Team USA, regardless of how good he is.
Matthews wants to dominate every shift. He wants to be “the guy”. He wants to be a leader. He strives to be the smartest player on the ice. At age 19, he’s hitting all the check-marks – and without playing a single NHL game.
Maybe it’s too much hype, or maybe it isn’t. He’s proved himself at every level – including professional hockey – so far, so why shouldn’t we believe he’s that good? All the signs and proof are there that this kid is that good.
It only took one game for Todd McLellan, one of the most respected coaches around the NHL, to realize that this kid isn’t going to be on his fourth line.
Picture USA vs Canada battles in ten years. Do you see Eichel vs McDavid? Or do you see Matthews vs McDavid?
As Leafs fans, we’re fortunate that Matthews is here. As Canadians, it’s unfortunate we’ll be cheering against him for the next decade+ because he’s going to be the focal point of Team USA for many years to come.
There’s a shift coming for both Canada and the United States in hockey as Canada’s – and the USA’s – dynasty core ages. But there’s an awful lot of talent coming up on both sides that will keep things fresh for many, many years.
Auston Matthews is going to be a huge part of that, and he’s going to be the guy for Team USA moving forward. That is, of course, if they want to win championships instead of embarrass themselves like they did at the World Cup.
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