Chris Tanev Makes Bold Prediction for Maple Leafs Teammate Auston Matthews

Auston Matthews on pace to finish as the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been solid this season, posting a 10-6-2 record, despite the absence of superstar goal-scoring phenom Auston Matthews, who has missed the last five games due to injury.

Matthews’ return from injury has been delayed a few times, and the team is taking a cautious approach to his recovery to avoid aggravating the issue by rushing his return.

Matthews has faced some online criticism after the Maple Leafs’ previously cold power play became scorching hot once he went down with injury. However, the criticism is unfair and unwarranted, leading to veteran Max Pacioretty reminding everyone that Matthews may be the best player in the world. Another veteran Leaf, Chris Tanev, also had some words of admiration for Matthews on Wednesday.

Tanev made a bold prediction regarding Matthews’ future, as reported by Luke Fox on X:
Chris Tanev says it’s “100 per cent” possible for Auston Matthews, 27, to one day eclipse Alex Ovechkin, 39, in goals.

“If he stays healthy – hopefully for us, he does – maybe you guys will be talking about that.”
 

For the 34-year-old Tanev to suggest that Matthews could one day surpass Alex Ovechkin in goals is quite the assertion. At 39, Ovechkin seems to have found the fountain of youth in his quest to surpass Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record of 894.

Ovechkin is now just 31 goals shy of that milestone, after starting the season with a scorching pace of 10 goals in his first 15 games.

At just 27 years old, Matthews has already scored 373 goals in 575 games, including two 60-goal seasons and three Rocket Richard Trophies. His 69-goal performance last season surpassed Ovechkin’s career-high of 65 goals from 2007-08.

Clearly, Matthews’ goal-scoring ability is extraordinary. The key to reaching Ovechkin’s level will be maintaining his health, as longevity has been one of Ovechkin’s greatest strengths.

Only time will tell if Matthews can eventually challenge Ovi’s record, but one thing is certain: both are incredibly talented goal scorers and both deserve a ton of respect.