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Sportsnet Analyst Calls On Leafs Captain Auston Matthews to Make a Shocking Decision
After another disappointing game 7 loss in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, an analyst says Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews needs to do what's best for him and the team over the summer
Mitch Marner appeared to say an emotional goodbye to Toronto Maple Leafs fans after the pending free agent and his teammates were involved in another disappointing game 7 loss, this time to the Florida Panthers.
Even Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet believes big changes are coming to the Maple Leafs, but one analyst is insisting letting Marner walk just isn't enough.
Howard Berger runs "Between the Posts", and has been covering hockey for Sportsnet's The Fan 590 for over two decades.
In his latest article, Berger said Leafs captain Auston Matthews needs to do what's best for him and the team, and request a trade before the 2025-26 season.
"Don't think Auston Matthews isn't hurting today. He's human like the rest of us. But, we've seen again that it isn't possible to alter a person's DNA by slapping a letter on his jersey. No. 34 would do himself and the Leafs a favor by requesting a trade."
As per Puckpedia, Matthews has completed year one of a four year deal paying him $13.25 million per season. Only Leon Draisaitl had a higher average annual value (AAV) in 2024-25, with Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche, and Connor McDavid of the Oilers right behind him.
While Berger's request is a bold one, it's worth noting that MacKinnon has a Stanley Cup, while McDavid and Draisaitl reached the finals last year, and are poised to make a run at it again.
There's also the prospect of what could be gained by trading Matthews while he's still in his prime, with some likening it to the Eric Lindros trade from the Quebec Nordiques to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Nordiques made off with a huge haul that included names like future Hall-of-Famer Peter Forsberg, goaltender Ron Hextall, as well as two first-round NHL draft picks.
The return could end up being as big as Lindros, and would certainly change the face of the team, if executed properly. The problem is that a player of Matthews' caliber hasn't been moved in their prime in ages, so pulling it off and getting enough in return would be tricky.
| POLL | ||
MAI 20 | 6964 ANSWERS Sportsnet Analyst Calls On Leafs Captain Auston Matthews to Make a Shocking Decision Do you agree with Howard Berger that Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs need to part ways? | ||
| Yes | 3373 | 48.4 % |
| No | 2890 | 41.5 % |
| Not sure | 701 | 10.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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