Auston Matthews is rated 87 overall in NHL '18

So I definitely think I am buying NHL 18. There is some discussion on Auston Matthews' rating of 87 overall in the game that will release September 15th, 2017. 

Here are more details:

Connor McDavid is not only the cover athlete; but the top rated player in the entire game at 93 overall. I will talk a lot about my franchise or 'Be a GM' play on this blog after I buy the game. I am 95% set on being the Maple Leafs and 5% chance I'll try out McDavid and the Oilers. 

Projected Opening Night Leafs Lineup?

This is from Editor in Leaf:

Marleau – Matthews – Nylander
Toronto Maple Leafs
JVR – Bozak – Marner
Komarov – Kadri – Brown
Hyman – Moore – Kapanen

Marleau/Matthews/Nylander could be unreal together.

Don Cherry sang the 7th inning stretch at Wrigley yesterday

He may have changed the lyrics, and disappointed #Cubs fans, but Don Cherry made up for it with the #GoHawks at the end. pic.twitter.com/N4pJBbv6XH

— Michael Klinck (@MichaelKlinck) August 19, 2017

Don Cherry sang "take me out to the ballgame" yesterday at Wrigley Field during the seventh inning stretch. It was a nice little surprise to see him at a baseball game and in another mainstream sport. Don Cherry is just the greatest.

Taylor Hall's run of bad luck

Pro Hockey Talk had a nice post up about Taylor Hall's run of bad luck, and I can agree. As much as I loved Taylor Hall; he was maybe my favorite player to ever watch since the inception of this blog - not the best pound for pound - but my personal favorite, every time he would take several steps forward there would seemingly be something that set him back waiting around the corner.

There were scathing takes in Edmonton in his final days there such as this one:

Hall has proven he’s not captain material, Pinder said. “The biggest awkward part of it in Edmonton is that Connor McDavid should be the captain of that hockey club, but Taylor Hall still struts around like he’s king of the jungle. It’s over. If he was a great leader, he’s have a ‘C’ on his chest and this team wouldn’t be in the basement every year… There seems to be an acceptance of poor result and that is not what you see with some leaders. They don’t allow that to happen. They get mad. They call teammates onto the carpet. And that’s not what Hall does. And he’s the guy that has the biggest value. Trade him for a bloody defenceman that knows how to play defence.”

I really hope to see the Devils get Hall to the playoffs. He strikes me as a guy who could have a remarkable run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I am really sad that it didn't work out in Edmonton, and the trade for the blue liner the Oilers got remains one of the most hated I've ever seen go down in sports.

Hall is a likable guy who is still just 25 and forever in front of him. I hope to see him continue to put up big numbers and definitely miss watching him play for the Oilers.

2017-2018 Hart Trophy: Bovada Odds

Per a post today at Pro Hockey Talk, the odds to win the Hart Trophy have been posted, with Connor McDavid coming in as the favorite:

2017 – 2018 – Who will win the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player?
Connor McDavid (EDM) 3/2
Sidney Crosby (PIT) 5/2
Auston Matthews (TOR) 17/2
Alex Ovechkin (WAS) 9/1
Patrick Kane (CHI) 14/1
Vladimir Tarasenko (STL) 15/1
Evgeni Malkin (PIT) 16/1
Carey Price (MON) 20/1
John Tavares (NYI) 20/1
Jamie Benn (DAL) 25/1
Steven Stamkos (TB) 25/1
Erik Karlsson (OTT) 33/1
Nikita Kucherov (TB) 33/1
Jack Eichel (BUF) 50/1
Ryan Getzlaf (ANA) 50/1
Patrik Laine (WPG) 50/1
Brad Marchand (BOS) 50/1
Tyler Seguin (DAL) 50/1
Nicklas Backstrom (WAS) 60/1
Brent Burns (SJ) 60/1
Braden Holtby (WAS) 60/1
Phil Kessel (PIT) 60/1
Artemi Panarin (CBJ) 60/1
Joe Pavelski (SJ) 60/1

It is very interesting to note that Auston Matthews checks in at third in the odds.

Connor McDavid Orange Jersey Preorder

Another major want crossed off the list. Although not as big as Auston Matthews. This is a GREAT figure.

Auston Matthews Figure Preorder

My all-time figure want.

Auston Matthews got a cool tattoo of a Lion

Honored @AM34 got a tattoo of me on his arm. Don't tell Carlton 😉 pic.twitter.com/b6RnqkJIpy

— Bailey LA Kings (@BaileyLAKings) June 6, 2017

There was some talk at the beginning of the summer of Auston Matthews getting a tattoo of a Lion on his arm.

The article causes some fear in regards to the mascot of the Los Angeles Kings reaction to Matthews' tattoo:

Do Matthews and Bailey know something the rest of us don't?

Matthews has two years remaining on his entry-level contract that, once performance bonuses were factored in, paid him $3.8 million US, according to capfriendly.com. He will become a restricted free agent following July 1, 2019, which means the Kings could make him an offer, though it will cost them heavily in compensation.

Not to mention the Leafs are likely to lock up the Calder Trophy favourite with a long-term mega-millions deal before it comes to that, so Leafs fans shouldn't be concerned.

Fears are calmed at the end. I need to see Matthews playing in Toronto for years to come. Money talks.

Auston Matthews: Birth of a Phenom

I ran across this video today on YouTube about Auston Matthews. It's truly sick. Love the song.

"No Idea Why" by TV Torso.

Auston Matthews Figure REVEALED

Along with Patrick Laine today on the ID Figures page. This is the big one. This is my all-time want in terms of a sports figure.

More to come as more news breaks when it is available to order. Stay locked on NHL Figures.

Also, it was Maple Leafs Day on Pro Hockey Talk. They had a big post up about them yesterday.