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Rival GM praises progress of Leafs first overall pick Auston Matthews.
Keystone Press

Rival GM praises progress of Leafs first overall pick Auston Matthews.

Matthews is impressing rival general managers.

HockeyFeed

HockeyFeed

There are a ton of eyes in Leafs Nation watching the play of Auston Matthews at the World Cup very closely, but they aren't alone. 

Every team in the World Cup has a general manager appointed to assemble the squad, and for Team North America it's Edmonton Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli who was given that role. Chiarelli has had a bird's eye view of the progress of Matthews at the World Cup, and despite the fact that he players for a rival team Chiarelli couldn't help but praise this year''s #1 overall pick.

"He's getting better every day," said Chiarelli as per Nichols on Hockey.

The Leafs of course will have the added benefit of a first overall pick who has already had some warm up games against the world's best players, and if Peter Chiarelli is to be believed it's already having a positive impact on the young center's development.

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