Don Cherry Reveals Which Core Four Member He Would Trade After Another Playoff Exit

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S. Harper
May 16, 2023 (8:28 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs had a golden opportunity to make a deep run at the Stanley Cup, but they ultimately succumbed to the underdog Florida Panthers in a mere five games.

Sure, the Leafs snapped a 19-year curse when they ousted the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, but for many in Leafs Nation, that achievement is simply not enough.

For more than five years, the Leafs' core four - Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and captain John Tavares - have led the team. However, many voices are now saying,

"It's time for a change."

Hockey icon, and former host of "Coaches Corner" Don Cherry gave his opinion on what the Leafs and Gm Kyle Dubas should do:

I would bring them all back. You don't blow up team that had a 50- win, 111-point season. You just make sure you have a team that is ready to win in the playoffs because the regular season means nothing."

While he understands and agrees with them being "ashamed" of losing out in the second round after having such a good season, he would also bring back coach Sheldon Keefe, general manager Kyle Dubas and team president Brendan Shanahan.

"People are upset, but it will settle down in a few weeks. You don't keep changing the coach and management. You just work on it for next season."

It's no secret that numerous teams would love to acquire any one or even all four of the core players from the Leafs. However, if the Leafs' management believes that the best strategy is to not trade any of these players, spectators will simply have to wait and see how that decision unfolds.

Importantly, Auston Matthews has only one year remaining on his current contract before he becomes a potential unrestricted free agent (UFA). This means that if Matthews feels he isn't going to achieve a win in Toronto, he has the freedom to walk away and join any team he prefers, including the Arizona Coyotes, his hometown team.