Auston Matthews is about to hear the Leafs’ pitch for next season and it will define the future of the team
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Auston Matthews is actually going to have a team built for him for the first time in a decade, and with the right people in charge — he could be renewed once again.
Toronto has never really gotten input from their franchise star. Kyle Dubas was shipped out and Brad Treliving was brought in. Out was Sheldon Keefe and in was Craig Berube. It's no coincidence that Matthews has put up his two worst seasons and been injured more often than ever before.
This needs to change and Keith Pelley and company are finally going to be building a roster to support Matthews as opposed to hold him back. Chris Pronger said it best when he flat out said 'This starts with #34' because there's no denying that he's right.
Matthews has never had a team built around him and it's about time the front office changed that
With a competent team built around him, Matthews won Olympic gold, was offensively dominant and looked ever the force we expect. Then he went 12 games without a goal for Toronto with no rhyme or reason, so what changed?
The system holding him back. Craig Berube neutered him meanwhile Mike Sullivan let him thrive in every offensive situation. He didn't stick him on the PK and let him suffer either.
You have arguably still the world's greatest scorer and no one to feed him the puck. Mitch Marner, for all his negatives was the catalyst for a lot of Matthews' success. The team needs to surround him with playmakers that aren't Max Domi.
The new coach who comes in needs to be able to allow Matthews to thrive again on offence and allow these new faces to come in and take the defensive load.
Why your perennial 50+ goal scorer is expected to play high-volume minutes defensively is beyond anyone's guess, and Craig Berube just...ignored his other options flat out.
The names lining up for the Maple Leafs are the strongest proof Toronto wants to make things right for Matthews
But the new GM, President, whatever you wanna call it — they know the stakes. It's why Chris Pronger was so adamant on bringing up the fact that this runs through Matthews. If he's calling the shots, he needs a decision one way or the other and that could lead to many more changes than expected.
There's also someone like Hayley Wickenheiser, who has been with the team since 2022 and seen Matthews' growth both on the ice and in terms of the frustration he feels year after year. Plus, if there's anyone who cares about health it's a genuine doctor; so Matthews' health will be a top priority too.
Then you have an executive like Sunny Mehta, who would not only give Matthews the confidence to know a roster could be built to win, but has proof considering Mehta is part of the Panthers; arguably Toronto's most bitter enemy recently.
They've also taken a look at names like John Chayka, Dean Lombardi, Doug Armstrong, and Mike Gillis. There's sure to be several other names around who could fit. We haven't even touched on if Brandon Pridham or Ryan Hardy would take over as well, it's a pretty long list frankly.
But that's much better than just settling for one person. It's proof to Matthews that the team is willing to go outside of their comfort zone and talk to the right people in order to give the captain well...the right people.
Auston Matthews expects the Maple Leafs to make a change, and if they can actually keep the promises they've made — maybe he won't mind sticking around after all.
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
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 5|936 ANSWERS Auston Matthews is about to hear the Leafs’ pitch for next season and it will define the future of the team Do you think the Maple Leafs will finally build a proper team around Auston Matthews next year? | ||
| Yes | 365 | 39 % |
| No | 571 | 61 % |
| List of polls | ||