Fantasy Summary
Has the speed and skill to be a Top-six NHL forward.
Observations
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February 2024 – Phillips was placed on waivers by the Capitals and subsequently claimed by the Penguins. Hopefully, in Pittsburgh, Phillips can unlock his offense potential. Pat Quinn
October 2023 – The Washington gave Phillips a chance to make the roster and he did everything he could to force his way on. He then made the opening night roster featuring on the third line and was also given 2PP time as well. Through three games he has two points and it getting around 13 minutes of ice time per game. Phillips looks like he is here to stay and that is a great thing for both he and the Capitals. Pat Quinn
March 2023 – Phillips is ready to make the jump to the NHL. The last two seasons, Phillips has added a new level of skill to his game and has been the leading scoring the last two years for the Calgary Wranglers (AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames). Every night he plays, you know his name will be on the scoresheet at least once. He has proven to be a reliable guy offensively and has great puck handling ability that he has demonstrated this season along with a great shot. He has the tools to be an NHL player but still hasn’t made it because of his size at 5-7 and at 140 pounds. It is hard making the jump to play against the best in the world at his size. Carson Klein
April 2022 – During the first week and a bit of April, the 23-year-old winger became the all time single-season scoring leader for the Heat when he notched his 58th point of the 2021-22 campaign. In his fourth season with Stockton, Phillips has nothing left to prove at the American Hockey League level. It is time for him to make the jump next season and I expect that to be the case. Chris Fekete
Jan 2020 – Phillips was recalled in early December but only skated in warmups. He continues to produce offensively in the AHL at a rate which could translate to top-9 minutes in the NHL. He suffered a fractured knee cap close to New Years and hopefully this isn’t season ending for him. Joel Henderson
Nov 2019 – After grabbing 10 points in his first 12 games, he blew the doors open with a one goal and four assists evening on Nov 11th. It was only his second multi-point game of the season but it shows his potential to put points on the board not only consistently, but in huge bursts. He will get a chance at the NHL but the timetable is very unknown. Joel Henderson
Sept 2019 – Training camp time has shown that surprisingly, Matthew Phillips seems to have gotten faster. He was deployed on a line with Dillon Dube and Glenn Gawdin and had the overtime goal in a 1-0 affair vs Edmonton. He should be the top line RW in Stockton. Joel Henderson
Jan 2019 – After going pointless in 8 games to begin the season, he now has 23 points in 23 games, including 10 points in his last four games. He is an offensive threat every night and has nothing to do with any sort of checking role. – Joel Henderson
Nov 2018 – Phillips had his multi-point game finally. He grabbed an assist from a defensive-zone breakout pass and added his first pro goal by forechecking hard and creating his own opportunities. His speed is noticeable every game. Joel Henderson
Oct 2018 – Phillips has zero points in his first four AHL games in 2018-19. Thus far, he has had decent deployment when he’s been in the lineup (Appears to have been healthy scratched Games 2 and 6). I wouldn’t expect him to remain pointless for long but it is also not uncommon for smaller offensive players to take time gaining some confidence in their rookie pro season. While he certainty hasn’t appeared dominant in any aspect of the game, he’s done a lot of little things correct to create offensive scoring chances. He will spend the entirety of the year in the AHL and a breakout multi-point game will come soon. Joel Henderson
Feb 2018 – After claiming WHL Rookie of the Year Nods, he increased his stock in 2016-17 by finishing 10th in league scoring. Phillips currently sits 5th in 20117-18. While Phillips was disappointed from not being chosen for the WJC team in Decemeber, it hasn’t affected the quality of his play. He uses his speed and creativity well; even gathering four shorthanded goals. Fantasy watchers will have to continue to be very patient despite his WHL success. Stay the course. Joel Henderson
Oct 2017 – He set a new franchise record with points in 15 straight games for the Victoria Royals. He’s been absolutely tearing up the WHL (12-18-30 in 15 games) which is exactly what needs to happen. He has a real chance of making Team Canada for the World Juniors as well and if he can hang with the elite talent there, that’s when the fantasy bees might come a buzzing. Joel Henderson
Sept 2017 – He has the potential to lead the WHL in points in 2017-18. While that does not mean success at the next level, you may want to take a flyer on him now before others do it deep leagues, especially if your league is only a points league. Joel Henderson
Aug 2017 – Matthew finished the season with a solid 50 goals and 90 points. He managed to create some buzz at the Team Canada World Junior Summer Showcase as well. He is certainly not going to make that team by being a fourth line checker. His status as a fantasy asset is similar to his situation with Team Canada. If he can prove he can provide consistent offense at that level of play, he has every right to be there. As far as deep pools, he is worth grabbing if you have a lot of teams and a long wait, otherwise you might want to see how he fares once he turns pro. It goes without saying… but he doesn’t have a lot of multi-cat impact. Joel Henderson
September 2016 – Phillips had a tremendous 2015-16 season with Victoria, earning Rookie of The Year honors for compiling 76 points in 72 games, which was good enough for fourth on the Royals. He heard his name called for Calgary in the sixth round as Craig Conroy has been noted to have advocated for his play. Matthew can gather quick speed by short powerful strides, often going skate over skate, curling in the neutral zone to enter with speed. He can create space, maneuvering around defenders quickly on the outside by maintaining speed while shifting side to side. He also loves to sneak into the play on the rush by being the trailer of the play, finding his way into the high slot. Especially when the puck is in the corner, he loves to hang around that high slot and survey where the forecheck needs support. However, don’t count him out when he finds himself winning puck battles down low from a quick stick. Phillips loves to attack the net on the off wing and hang around there, stick on the ice, waiting for rebounds. His fearlessness of driving the net also allows him to get his on shot pucks, gathering some deflection goals.
He is very patient with the puck on his stick, using his awareness of teammates to allow passing lanes to open up. The shiftiness of his skating draws attention all over the ice, freeing up teammates and causing chaos. He rarely drops his head; only to do some slick skate to stick magic trick. This allows him to be an effective playmaker. He also has a quality shot, which looks more like a slingshot than it does anything else. His development story will be similar to other smaller players. He needs to add muscle to his legs and core, adding power to his skating decisiveness. While he sees lanes open up, he can telegraph his passes from time to time, which is honestly just laziness from any player. This player needs no rush. If and when he is ready, he will have all the offensive numbers to prove it. Consider him a high risk- high reward player, but there is clear optimism simply because while being 5-7 and 145lbs, he drives and hangs out around the net like a garbage goal goon. Pat Quinn
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