Matthews has surely declined but I’m also sure Berube has choked some of the skill and creativity from these guys too. Would love to see Matthews under a new coach again as his only down years have been under Berube.
He will be back! Please for the love of all that is holy, let’s not run him out of town.
Pre-Berube Matthews*
I think under a different coach Mathews will be much closer to this version. Maybe not quite 60 goals but 50 is definitely possible.
With a new coach Matthews scores 50+ next year
I would not move on Matthews because I think a systems refresh under a new coach and getting him healthy can get him back into the league’s top tier. The upside is just too high.
He’s getting expected goals at the same rate. Since the 23-24 season, he’s gone from being an above average finisher to a below average finisher.
Both injury and coaching changed at that point. If you want to argue that it’s a systems issue, you have to argue that it’s something not picked up by expected goals.
I want another, more offensive coach to have a hand at Matthews.
9 comments
Matthews has surely declined but I’m also sure Berube has choked some of the skill and creativity from these guys too. Would love to see Matthews under a new coach again as his only down years have been under Berube.
He will be back! Please for the love of all that is holy, let’s not run him out of town.
Pre-Berube Matthews*
I think under a different coach Mathews will be much closer to this version. Maybe not quite 60 goals but 50 is definitely possible.
With a new coach Matthews scores 50+ next year
I would not move on Matthews because I think a systems refresh under a new coach and getting him healthy can get him back into the league’s top tier. The upside is just too high.
He has to be hurt.
Chart for Matthews performance over time:
Year | Expected 5v5 Goals/60| Actual 5v5 Goals/60
—|—|—-
20-21| 1.20 (League #2) | 1.94 (League #1)
21-22| 1.26 (League #1) | 1.94 (League #1)
22-23| 1.34 (League #1) | 1.36 (League #15)
23-24| 1.29 (League #4) | 1.84 (League #1)
24-25 | 1.19 (League #2) | 0.94 (League #69)
25-26 | 1.24 (League #4) | 1.11 (League #34)
He’s getting expected goals at the same rate. Since the 23-24 season, he’s gone from being an above average finisher to a below average finisher.
Both injury and coaching changed at that point. If you want to argue that it’s a systems issue, you have to argue that it’s something not picked up by expected goals.
I want another, more offensive coach to have a hand at Matthews.