Auston Matthews Must Be Traded to Stay in Toronto
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman joined Gord Stellick and Scott Laughlin on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio Wednesday morning and was asked about Auston Matthews' future with the Toronto Maple Leafs and how things have changed with the organization receiving the first round pick in 2026.
Writing for NHLRumors.com
What Is The Near Future For Auston Matthews And The Toronto Maple Leafs?
Gord Stellick: “But one thing that came out about Auston Matthews is that he knows the family very well. And then the next day, we get reports that Auston, at the end of this year, no one has been selected as Auston Matthews is probably willing to look at the team of Quinn Hughes leaving. I don't know how this will change things or not, but I mean he will share with him what is important” Where do you think his head is?
Elliotte Friedman: “Gordy, my position on Matthews, has not changed, and when they sit down with him, they will have to make sure, not only that they have a plan, but that they can execute that plan. I think that will be decided.
And I think he should be told, this is what we want to do, and this is how we're going to be able to do what we want to do. And if he is confident that they can do that, then I think he will give them time. If they can't convince them that they will do that, they will have a problem.”
Fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta was on TSN Radio in Montreal on Tuesday and was asked about the Toronto Maple Leafs and new management. He stated that they have an 8-10 week window to show William Nylander and Auston Matthews how things will be changed quickly or changes are coming.
Writing for NHLRumors.com
If The Toronto Maple Leafs Want To Make A Big Change, Should They Consider Auston Matthews or William Nylander?
Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period on TSN Radio in Montreal: “I want to see what they do soon, because it will have to be a short time for this club. Since they have eight to 10 weeks to rebuild this list in a way that is acceptable to their captain, Auston Matthews, and their top flight winner in William Nylander.
He has two years left, and if on July 15th, Auston and his agent, and they sit down and look at all the changes the Leafs have made, and they go, 'Well, you promised us you'd do X, Y and Z, and you've only accomplished X.
But that's 10 weeks from now, sort of. I think Auston, when he has this conversation with the new GM, he's going to be quiet, because I think his agent is already there and he's saying, look, I want to win here. I love playing in Toronto. I want to be a part of this. But if we don't show progress, what's the point of me being here for two years and then leaving?”
NHLRumors.com Note: The Toronto Maple Leafs have some big decisions coming up now that they have the first overall pick. However, GM John Chayka and Senior Hockey Operations Advisor Mats Sundin have some work to do to convince the two biggest stars that they can get this team back into contention. The problem is that the Maple Leafs don't have many prospects or the upcoming draft.
Auston Matthews on His Future with the Toronto Maple Leafs
Is the best course of action to trade these players and start over? Will ownership accept that? But restructuring can be done, but the players have to be sure about it because from the beginning the players run the show in Toronto and not the managers.
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