Auston Matthews can be traded right now for more than he’ll ever be worth again and the Maple Leafs know it
Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Auston Matthews' trade value may never be higher and the Maple Leafs have to maximize any return because if he's leaving — there's no reason to keep him.
He has two years left on his contract, two injury-filled seasons behind him and a team that just fired its GM. His trade value may never be higher than it is right now given how much tension there is and he may want out.
Toronto needs one answer from their captain — and the entire franchise hinges on it: Are you in or are you out?
The talk around town has been whether or not the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to make serious changes in the front office to bring in the right voices or if it's going to be more of the same leading to deja vu for the team and its fans.
Things are going to be changing, and Matthews of anyone has to make sure he's committed no matter what.
If not — they need to trade him.
The Logic Trap: Why keeping the core is actually more dangerous than splitting it up
Asking Matthews to commit to the long-term is a big ask especially after a decade of failure. These past two seasons have had some serious ebbs and flows. He won the Atlantic last year, but was nerfed into the ground.
This year he was even less effective offensively and even more injured. He only has two years left, and Toronto needs to know his vision.
Does he truly want to win with the Maple Leafs and do what it takes (which includes some tough seasons ahead) to help them claw their way to the top? Or is it a case of getting paid, playing with his buddies, and moving on with this chapter of his career much like Mitch Marner?
Right now, there is no sign that Matthews is on board with everything regardless of circumstance and when you have guys like Chris Pronger outwardly stating the team can't fall in a 'Marner like situation' then you know his time could be up.
Plus, as much as it's not outwardly stated — William Nylander is the future of the team.
They already committed long-term whereas Matthews hasn't yet, and if the team can convince Nylander they can build around him instead (and use the pieces Matthews brings in to do so) then he may be willing to sit through a rebuild a lot more comfortably.
Peak value for the captain before another lost season ruins any potential return
While there is no denying the talent and scoring ability Matthews possesses, we haven't seen anywhere near that over the last two years.
Between Craig Berube's insistence on playing him like a defensive 2C and two major injuries there's genuine concern he's not going to make it back to his previous form.
Waiting another year or even two to trade Matthews is a huge gamble. Sure, he could make it back to his old ways but with each game he doesn't score, for each game he misses with injury — that stock drops and people are already wondering where he ranks among the NHL's best nowadays (and it's not near the top).
Toronto could get three or four young star prospects, some first-round picks and find themselves with the cap space necessary to sign the right people in the right roles and teams are still going to bet on Matthews returning to form so they'll pay that premium.
But they'll only do so if the Maple Leafs are proactive and get a straight answer out of their captain.
Are you in? Great, let's settle down and figure out a plan for success.
If not? Pack your bags.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Sunny Mehta is a two-time Cup winner and former poker pro and the Maple Leafs are coming for him
Sunny Mehta is a two-time Cup winner and former poker pro and the Maple Leafs are coming for him
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 5|1082 ANSWERS Auston Matthews can be traded right now for more than he’ll ever be worth again and the Maple Leafs know it Should the Maple Leafs trade Auston Matthews? | ||
| Yes | 792 | 73.2 % |
| No | 290 | 26.8 % |
| List of polls | ||