Retired Enforcer Rips Auston Matthews for Last Night's Antics

Matthews' teammates did all of the dirty work, while Matthews did next to nothing. He's a superstar, I do get that, but I can't help but think that he should be more proactive and engaged in situations like these. On one hand, there is less than two minutes to go and risking an injury could be front of mind. I buy that.

On the other though, the message this type of response sends to his teammates could be - in short - the wrong one to send. That's how retired enforcer Mike Rupp feels, and he let his feelings be known after the fact.

I like where Rupp's head is at; hockey is the ultimate team sport and when one guy acts like that in the middle of a scrum, it does look bad to his teammates. The only retort I have is this: Auston Matthews is arguably the best player in the NHL (I think it's McDavid, but Matthews is as close as anyone at present) and if I'm his teammate I'm saying, 'I got this Papi, go work on that curl & drag some more.'

A) Matthews isn't a 'tough guy' so it makes little to no sense to want 'tough guy' things from him. B) there was two minutes left in a blowout game, all it takes is one minor leaguer with an attitude problem to take Matthews out for the season. C) the guy scored 60+ last season, who cares that he won't fight the Philadelphia Flyers?

Still, standing around and smirking while your boys stand up for you is not a great look, and I would like to see a little more 'umph' from 34 in blue & white.