Matthews/ Konecny

[Significantly Insignificant]

I agree that the Leafs don't want Matthews fighting.  The way I have heard this criticism explained is that some people would have preferred that Matthews do something other than just sort of standing on the sideline smirking while his teammates were fighting a battle for him.  I guess the question is could have done something different in that situation?  For example, could he have grabbed another player and just bear-hugged them for a bit so that they couldn't go after one of the Leafs players?   

[Zee]

I can't believe how much of the airwaves this nonevent has taken up.  Only in Toronto.  This kind of thing happens all the time in games, but nobody really cares unless it's a Leaf and they have some agenda to push. 

That said, I'm seeing a lot more physicality from Matthews already this year, which I really like.  He has nothing to prove by "defending" himself in a scrum.

[Bullfrog]

The only people Matthews should fighting are his equals - the McDavids, Crosbys and MacKinnon's of the world.  Otherwise the other team would have the advantage with Matthews being in the box for 5 minutes.  He shouldn't be wasting his time with the Konecnys of the world, and has a team more than willing to step up for him.

I'm on team nobody. As in, that's the only person the league MVP should be fighting.

[Bullfrog]

One bad punch can mean a broken hand which can mean a lengthy absence and, if you're unlucky, chronic problems. The idea that you'd risk that with a talent like Matthews at the end of a game against a garbage team is ridiculous.

And for what? So a middle 6 winger like Konecny learns a lesson? Who gives a carp.

Absolutely. I'm a relatively experienced martial artist that has suffered a so-called "boxer's break" and had two surgeries to fix my hand. Functionally it's fine, but I still get pain 25 years later.

It's a ridiculously risky move for Matthews to be throwing punches at someone's noggin / helmet with zero payoff.

[azzurri63]

I'm not stating he should have dropped his gloves. I understand with his wrist injury that is the last thing I would want to see is him missing time. It's the standing around and smirk that didn't look good and it's not the first time as I said.

[OldTimeHockey]

I'm not stating he should have dropped his gloves. I understand with his wrist injury that is the last thing I would want to see is him missing time. It's the standing around and smirk that didn't look good and it's not the first time as I said.

I like the cockiness. Not all players can be stone faced like Tavares.

[Highlander]

Absolutely no way should Matthews be fighting, however I don't like the smirk either.

[Nik]

If you're at a point where you're getting riled up about a player's facial expression then you need to gain some perspective on life somehow. Pet a dog or kiss a tree or something.

[bustaheims]

I'm not stating he should have dropped his gloves. I understand with his wrist injury that is the last thing I would want to see is him missing time. It's the standing around and smirk that didn't look good and it's not the first time as I said.

I like the cockiness. Not all players can be stone faced like Tavares.

Yeah. Players showing a little personality is not a bad thing. Some well earned cockiness is fine. I might have issues with some 4th liner/AHL scrub doing the same, but the reigning Hart trophy winner who has led the league in goals for the last two seasons? He's absolutely earned the right to be cocky.

It's focusing on stupid things like this that leads players to put the Leafs on the NTC lists. We need to put the microscope away and take a step back.

[Bill_Berg_is_sad]

Why the f would his smile be a problem? If other players can't handle Matthews' being condescending, maybe they should play better.

[Deebo]

Why the f would his smile be a problem?

Because some people aren't happy without something to whine about.