What qualifies as a "Generational Player"

[RupertBear]

I found it interesting that prior to last year's NHL draft, the so-called experts were cautioning everyone not to hang the label of "generational player" on Austen Matthews.
Then Toronto drafts him and all of a sudden all the Leaf fans and Toronto media are calling him a generational player.
I'm sorry, leave that tag for players like Orr, Gretzky, Lemieux, Crosby and (probably) McDavid.
Matthews is and will continue to be a very good player. He will be on par with Stamkos, Tavares and Karlsson -- all very good players, but not generational players.

[Woodenhead]

If he went anywhere other than Toronto, he wouldn't be getting that label. But Toronto is as Toronto does.

[fvkasm2x]

If he went anywhere other than Toronto, he wouldn't be getting that label. But Toronto is as Toronto does.

Well you gotta understand, they literally have not had a good player since Mats Sundin in his prime. That's a lot of years to go without any talent.

Literally 15 years or so without even 1 great player

[JayByrd]

"Generational player" is a made-up, arbitrary thing. I don't pay any mind to stuff like that.

I suppose though, if I had to define it, it would be someone who's abilities and accomplishments are substantially better than their peers. A Big gap between the best player and the second best.

[Woodenhead]

If he went anywhere other than Toronto, he wouldn't be getting that label. But Toronto is as Toronto does.

Well you gotta understand, they literally have not had a good player since Mats Sundin in his prime. That's a lot of years to go without any talent.

Literally 15 years or so without even 1 great player

Yeah, so that means that making up BS is just fine for the maple laffs.

[GordonH]

^^^ as long as Ownership backs hell off in TML, lets the current management have total control. I only see good things coming out of Leafs. But if ownership fu around as in the past, Toronto will go nowhere.

[RupertBear]

^^^ as long as Ownership backs hell off in TML, lets the current management have total control. I only see good things coming out of Leafs. But if ownership fu around as in the past, Toronto will go nowhere.

They have an excellent coach and a great GM stocking the cupboard. The future is brighter for the Leafs now than in the past 20 years. Just let the players develop without putting undue pressure on them by making labels they can't live up to.