Reporter Makes Wild Suggestion Involving Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews
Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Maple Leafs cannot seem to overcome their playoff demons and one reporter is suggesting that Leafs GM Brad Treliving could be preparing to move Auston Matthews.
Auston Matthews has allowed the pressure to get to him, openly calling out his teammates following a disappointing Game 7 loss to Florida, believing that there were "too many passengers", which was a big factor in the Round 2 loss.
The first-year NHL captain dealt with more than his fair share of injury issues throughout the season, but ultimately played every game during the Maple Leafs' brief playoff run, producing 3 goals and 11 points through 13 post-season contests.
While it didn't seem as though Brad Treliving was unhappy with Matthews' overall performance during his season-ending press conference, reporter Howard Berger seems to believe that the Leafs GM will move Matthews this summer in what would be the biggest blockbuster in modern hockey history.
Berger not only suggested it was possible, but he told readers on Twitter/X to "bank on it" on Monday morning.
"If you are Matthews, how do you reconcile the words of your general manager, who told the hockey world, last week, that he wants an entirely different team New genetics. Nothing close to the same old, same old."
Treliving did allude to a DNA change being needed in Toronto. The problem that the Leafs face is that this free agent pool is not particularly strong, and the organization also doesn't have any first round picks until 2028, which would make it difficult to trade for any difference-makers.
Mitch Marner is likely going to flee via free agency this summer, and Treliving told reporters last week that he may not submit a formal offer to either Marner or Tavares.
A Matthews trade could theoretically make some sense, as such a deal would surely return at least two 1st round picks, a top prospect and an NHL roster player to start. The return would only go up from there -- especially if a bidding war is created.
Berger is not a trusted NHL Insider or even a top reporter, so this report should likely be taken with a large grain of salt. However, Treliving is on record as having said that he'll always look for creative ways to improve his team.
Could that mean that he'd be okay with taking a step back if it allowed the team to take two steps forward within the next 2 years? I guess we'll find out this summer.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 2 | 5317 ANSWERS Reporter Makes Wild Suggestion Involving Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Do you think the Leafs should use Auston Matthews as a trade chip to acquire multiple 1st round picks and prospects? | ||
| Yes | 2806 | 52.8 % |
| No | 2511 | 47.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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