Ex-Leaf Matt Stajan Identifies #1 Reason for Maple Leafs' Struggles: Is His Assessment Correct?
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Former Maple Leafs forward Matt Stajan recently addressed the Maple Leafs' struggles and identified the number one reason why they're hurting right now.
Closing out the month of October with a 5-5-1 record is not how the Maple Leafs drew it up, but there is a lot of runway left and there's still plenty of time for this team to take off. However, until they do, they will be heavily criticized.
Even without the likes of Mitch Marner, the Leafs still have a very heavy payroll, and when players like Auston Matthews are playing at below a point-per-game, people notice it.
Matthews Not Delivering Like He's Paid To
Matthews' struggles this season have been well-documented, with the main point being driven home by fans and pundits being that a $13.25M player needs to play like a $13.25M player. That's a fair critique.
Earlier this week, former Maple Leafs forward Matt Stajan appeared on Leafs Morning Take with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill to talk about a variety of topics, which included the Leafs' current state of affairs and their slow start to the year.
Stajan Reveals Why the Leafs are Struggling
When asked how he felt about the struggling Matthews, Stajan alluded to Mitch Marner's absence being a huge reason for not only Matthews' individual challenges, but also challenges for the entire team.
"People forget -- as much as Mitch Marner got some hate with his playoff performance, he was still putting up points, and yes, there's things that people didn't like... that's a 100-point guy that guys like Matthews, Tavares, Nylander could rely on."
There's no question that Mitch Marner was heavily relied upon during his time in Toronto, often being the team's leader in ice time among forwards. As Stajan stated in his response, Marner was trusted to make big plays, and without his presence, the Leafs are in an adjustment period.
"Mitch had the puck on his stick a lot, so it's an adjustment when he's not there anymore... These guys are having to find a way to produce differently, even on the power play... You can tell it's an adjustment."
There's been some struggles on the part of Mitch Marner in Vegas as well this season, as he, too, adjusts to new surroundings and new linemates.
Marner is off to a streaky start to begin his first season in Vegas, going pointless in 4 games this season, but enjoying multi-point efforts in the team's other 6 contests. He's currently sitting at 12 points in his first 10 games, but was demoted off of the top line a week into the season.
Other Leafs Stars Fine in Marner's Absence
On the Leafs' side of the equation, Matthews has had a revolving door of linemates this season, which could be a part of the reason for his individual struggles. The rest of the team's stars have not struggled as much without Marner, as John Tavares, William Nylander and Matthew Knies all have at least 14 points on the season.
There's a Human Element to This as Well
The human element may play a role as well. Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner were the best of friends, often spending time together in the summer, away from the rest of the team. Perhaps losing his best friend has taken a mental toll on him as well.
Regardless of how the season started for the Leafs, they'll need to adjust quickly, as Stajan alluded to, to avoid falling too far behind the pack and risking getting into a late-season playoff push instead of having a post-season berth locked up early.
Previously on Maple Leafs Daily
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