Bold Prediction Regarding Leafs Captain Auston Matthews May Backfire on Toronto Radio Host
Photo credit: Sam Navarro | Imagn Images
Many expect Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews to rebound from an injury-filled season, with one radio host making a very bold prediction that may blow up in his face.
Now two seasons removed from his third Rocket Richard Trophy and a 69-goal campaign, Auston Matthews and Leafs Nation are hoping that last season's nagging injury issues are behind him.
Skating in only 65 games due to injury last season, Matthews still managed to pot 33 goals, which was the lowest total of his career, and led to many questioning if he would be able regain his form this season without his long-time linemate Mitch Marner, who left for Las Vegas this summer via trade.
Radio Host Makes Bold Prediction About Auston Matthews' Production This Season
On Tuesday morning on TSN's 'First Up', former Leafs defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo and Aaron Korolnek were doing a round of predictions and deciding if they were "smart or stupid" when Korolnek asked Colaiacovo if Matthews would win his fourth Rocket Richard trophy.
"That's stupid," said Colaiacovo. "He had a down year last year and he didn't want to admit to what injury he was dealing with, but he also lost the one guy that's going to help him score goals in Mitch Marner. How is he going to score 50 again? Who is going to help him? On a team that is changing it's identity to play differently, you're probably going to see less offense from this group. I would take Leon Draisatl over Auston Matthews to win the Rocket Richard again next year cause he's playing with McDavid."
While Colaiacovo makes a pair of valid points in that he no longer has Marner to feed him the puck and that the Leafs play a more physical and defensive game under head coach Craig Berube, players of Matthews' caliber find ways to adapt and produce -- at least in the regular season.
Will there be an adjustment period for Matthews? Absolutely, but to question if he will ever hit 50 goals again seems a bit far-fetched with Matthews being just 27 years old.
This is one that may blow up in Colaiacovo's face, but he'll also be the first to step up and say "I was wrong" if Matthews comes out this season and pots 50 again. Colaiacovo wants to see the Leafs do well.
For all we know, Matthews could thrive without Marner. We should know fairly quickly, however, if Matthews is back to his old self as he typically scores at will when healthy.
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