Matthews compares favorably with Sittler as dynamic Maple Leafs forward

Legendary hockey reporter Stan Fischler writes a weekly column for NHL.com. Fischler, known as "The Hockey Maven," shares his humor and insight with readers each Wednesday.
This week Fischler delivers his popular "Then and Now" segment, comparing two Toronto Maple Leafs forwards from different eras, Hall of Famer Darryl Sittler and current star Auston Matthews.

Darryl Sittler and Auston Matthews are two of the most dynamic forwards in Toronto Maple Leafs history.
Sittler scored six goals and had an NHL record 10 points on Feb. 7, 1976 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1989.
"Almost every time I touched the puck it resulted in a goal," Sittler said of his record-breaking performance against the Boston Bruins. "It was scored either by me or one of my teammates. All I know is that every time I got my stick on the puck, it headed for the net."
Matthews scored four goals in his first NHL game Oct. 12, 2016 and leads the League with 58 goals this season.
After Matthews scored his 51st goal in his 50th game, teammate Justin Holl simply said, "He's out of control!"
Sittler was the No. 8 pick in the 1970 NHL Draft and had 1,121 points (484 goals, 637 assists) in 1,096 regular-season games for the Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings. He was the first Maple Leafs player to have 100 points in a season in 1975-76, two seasons before recording an NHL career-high 117 points (45 goals, 72 assists).
Matthews, the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, has 102 points this season, joining Sittler and Doug Gilmour as the only Maple Leafs players with 100 points in a season. He has 453 points (257 goals, 196 assists) in 404 NHL games.
"Matthews' shot is one of the best around thanks to the way he disguises his release point," Ryan Kennedy wrote in The Hockey News. "If Auston continues to use his frame to cause turnovers and protect the puck, opposing teams won't have an answer for him."
Hockey journalists were singing similar praises about Sittler during his NHL career, which included nine seasons of 80 or more points. Sittler deflected some of that praise and credited teammates, such as Hall of Fame center Norm Ullman, with giving him guidance.
"I asked Norm how he handled pressure for so long," Sittler said. "He said the secret is keeping your emotions in the middle, not too high when things are going well or too low when they aren't. He had a really professional approach and I tried to follow it."
Joe Thornton, who was with the Maple Leafs in 2020-21 and now plays for the Florida Panthers, was a mentor for Matthews. A veteran of 24 NHL seasons, Thornton said he believes that the sky's the limit in how great Matthews can be.
"Auston just competes so hard and in so many areas he could win the Hart, Selke and Rocket awards in one season," said Thornton. "And he plays the game the right way. He's the complete package."
Insightful and realistic, Matthews said he's aware personal accolades do not mean as much if not part of team success, like last season when the Maple Leafs were eliminated in seven games in the Stanley Cup First Round by the Montreal Canadiens.
"I'm going to have ups and downs and what I have to do is work that much harder and push through the tough parts," Matthews said. "It's all about winning. I won 'The Rocket' (for leading the NHL with 41 goals) last year, but nobody really cares about that because of how everything ended."
When comparing Matthews and Sittler, a big difference is background. Sittler learned his hockey in the Kitchener, Ontario area at the hamlet of St. Jacob's. By contrast Matthews, whose mother was born in Mexico, grew up in Arizona, not exactly known as a hockey hotbed.
But after his United States-born father accompanied him to an Arizona Coyotes game, Matthews took to hockey and began his journey playing with the Arizona Bobcats. It was a stepping-stone to the U.S. National Team Development Program and eventually a stint with Zurich in the top Swiss league before entering the NHL.
Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato worked with Matthews at the USNTDP and said he was impressed with the teenager's will, determination and breakaway speed.
"'Austo's' ability to find open ice made him unstoppable," Granato said.
Like Matthews, Sittler was one of the best NHL players during his time. But Sittler was more than a great player for the Maple Leafs. He was their captain from 1975-81
"He was a terrific leader as well as a scorer," said New York Islanders goalie Glenn 'Chico' Resch.
Matthews is growing as a leader, too, though his path to becoming Maple Leafs captain is blocked for now with John Tavares in that role.
But the captaincy is not an issue with Matthews; succeeding in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is his top priority. Toronto has not won a playoff round since Matthews entered the NHL.
"I truly believe that we're going to get it done," Matthews said. "We're going to be better from our losses and from the adversity we've faced. We believe it's going to happen."
Sittler never made it past the second round of the playoffs. He scored 74 points (29 goals, 45 assists) in 76 playoff games, but never got close to winning the Stanley Cup.
Matthews, who has 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) in 32 playoff games, certainly hopes for a better fate and said he's ready to be a difference maker this season.
"I have to make sure I make an impact," he said, "and in every way possible."