He’s made some nice moves the last two years to get the team closer to where it wants to be, but he’s also made mistakes. Changes coming for Maple Leafs, but Auston Matthews shouldn't be one of themĭitto for general manager Kyle Dubas, if he even wants to return.SIMMONS: To fire or not to fire - the case for and against Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan.SIMMONS SAYS: There will be a Maple Leafs blow-up, but to what extent?.Overall, Toronto is 1-10 in its past 11 elimination games.Ī major change is needed and Matthews will have to accept that. The top Leafs just scored three goals on 91 shots. Lowry was prickly to start the next year as well, but got over it when he realized how dominant Leonard was and that they had a chance to win it all. But recall that Lowry and DeRozan were best friends and when Masai Ujiri shipped DeRozan out, Lowry didn’t talk to him or anyone else in the front office for the rest of the summer. That’s obviously an impediment to a deal since bringing Matthews back is imperative.

On that front, dealing Marner might not sit well with his close friend Matthews. Or maybe it’s a carrot for Matthews to help convince him to stick around. Plenty of other teams have made a switch after many years of someone else leading the way. It wouldn’t hurt to make Morgan Rielly the captain, though. Most believe Tavares has an untradeable contract at this point, even though his regular-season production has been good. Marner is the best option to get that guy. One of them must go to get someone like that or even an excellent No. Matthews, Marner and Nylander don’t do that. The Leafs need a top player who can force his will on opponents. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Yes, he can disappear for long stretches, but he’s come through when it counts more than his teammates and has shown a lot more passion and calmness than most of them. Similar things can be said about William Nylander, who isn’t in the same price or talent range, but has consistently outperformed the other Leafs in the playoffs. But it’s nearly impossible to find a player of his class.Īll you do with Matthews is get him to sign an extension as quickly as possible. He had a rough post-season and a down year (injuries played a role) and looks far less dangerous in the playoffs, when the going gets rough and penalties mostly stop being called. He’s won most of the league’s major trophies already and might be the best pure goal-scorer around. He’s arguably the most talented Leaf to take the ice. Standing pat should not be an option.Īuston Matthews can’t be moved, though. We never thought Leonard would become a Raptor. They probably can’t land a difference-maker like Leonard or Tkachuk, but you never know.

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