Matthews said he thinks Lafreniere will be successful regardless.
"When it's all said and done it doesn't really matter what route you take, this guy is obviously a special player," he said. "Throughout the year you are going to go through ups and downs regardless of where you are. You just have to try to stay level-headed."
Ty Smith, who was picked No. 17 in the 2018 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils, played with Lafreniere at the 2019 WJC. The defenseman, who will play for Canada again in 2020, first played with Lafreniere at the 2018 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, where Lafreniere played as a 16-year old and tied for the Canada lead with six points (four goals, two assists) in five games.
"He was an elite player obviously," Smith said during Canada's selection camp last week in Oakville, Ontario. "Tons of talent, he had a few highlight-reel goals. He does everything so well, so it was pretty cool to see him play so well as a 16-year old playing with 17-year olds.
"Last year at World Juniors he was great in camp, and when he got the opportunity he was playing well in the tournament. He's an unbelievable player. It's pretty cool to have him here."
Smith, who attended the past two training camps with the Devils, playing in seven preseason games, thinks Lafreniere already is capable of competing against NHL players.
"I think he'd do well," Smith said. "He's projected to be the top guy and it's been like that for a while. It seems like he'd do well in an NHL-style setting. He has a ton of talent, he's physically strong enough and a good skater. There's nothing not to like about him."
There will be no shortage of teams hoping for the opportunity to select Lafreniere, but in the meantime there is nothing he can do but continue performing at the level that has put him on the path to become the projected No. 1 pick. Matthews said he hopes Lafreniere ultimately enjoys the process leading up to the draft as much as possible.
"Probably I would just tell him not to get too high or too low," he said. "Try to have as much fun as possible too during this year. For me, I was lucky to have my mom and sister with me over there in Switzerland. Especially around the draft, it's what you've dreamed of your whole life so just try to have to make sure you enjoy it as much as you can with your family and friends and try not to get too caught up with all the stuff going on around you."
---
Listen: New episode of NHL Draft Class