Ex-NHLer Makes Absurd Remark About Leafs Captain Auston Matthews and Another NHL Star

Dealing with a nagging injury that stretched from training camp last fall to the end of the post-season, Auston Matthews still managed to register 33 goals and 78 points in 67 regular season games for the Leafs last season.

On Wednesday night, Matthews participated in the annual Hockey Night in Brampton event, raising money for charity, while former NHLer and current NHL Network analyst Mike Rupp was on the air ranking the top 20 centers in the league.

Matthews was ranked seventh heading into this season after being ranked fourth ahead of last season, which is obviously due to the injuries he battled throughout last season.

In discussing Matthews' ranking, Rupp made an absurd comment, suggesting that he would take New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes over the three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner and 2-time 60-goal scorer.

Needless to say, Leafs Nation and many others on social media were dumbfounded when his comments made their way to social media platforms. What Rupp's comments are based on are unknown, but they don't make much sense considering Hughes has had more significant injury troubles in recent years, including two major shoulder surgeries.

Matthews confirmed a clean bill of health on Wednesday night and as long as he can make it through training camp unscathed this time, he should be able to contend for a fourth Rocket Richard Trophy.