No One Really Knows What The Future Of Auston Matthews Holds For The Maple Leafs
Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period joined Steve Kouleas and Carter Hutton on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio on Wednesday. He was asked about Auston Matthews and his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs and whether he was playing his last game with the team.
Writing for NHLRumors.com
Steve Kouleas: “Okay, I’m sure you heard the rumors that came out yesterday (Tuesday). I don’t know if you want to comment on them. That has to do with Auston Matthews. What’s the plan, and where are you on the scale of Dave Pagnotta, Mike Richter, more or less 50/50 that Matthews might have played his last game as a Maple Leaf?”
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Dave Pagnotta: “Well, I mean, me, because I haven’t talked to him or anybody in that circle about his future yet, I’m just going to go ahead and give you that 50/50, but I don’t know which way it’s going to lean right now.
And would he like to win in Toronto? Definitely. I think he needs to understand, like the same situation with Connor McDavid in Edmonton, before he closes. Although both will have two years left on their contracts after the season, Connor’s extension will begin on July 1st. But Auston will want to know, just like any other player in his position, a superstar in his position, will want to know what the plan is.
It’s been a stinkin’ season in Toronto. They took one out. We will see what happens. It will be a very interesting game against Rangers, I’m sure. But you will want to know, what does this group say? Where are we going? We have been trying every year. It doesn’t work, you know?
Yes, these will be Treliving’s last years. He enters his contract as GM next season. Are you a boy, A? B, if there is, what’s the plan, whoever it is, what’s the plan, and do we get back into contention, or are we going to stumble a little bit here before we start to get back to that level? And that’s absolutely something and obviously Auston Matthews will want to know the answers; they will have those discussions soon.
And then we’ll have a better indicator, or a very good indicator, a better indicator, however, where that 50/50 swings? Is it 70-25? Will it be 100 that he stayed? Is it the same, what we will know is that I would probably think about the end of April, if not sooner. But these guys, anyone in his position, would want to know where things are going with this club. I’m telling you, the Leafs are going to make some interesting moves this summer. You will try anyway.
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They want to prepare to return to the playoffs next season. They want to make sure that this team can, this is just a puzzle this year, and that they can right the ship, like Winnipeg in the Western Conference.
So we’ll see how the rest of their season goes, and what the messages are after this season. Is Treliving back? Is Chief (Craig Berube) back? If not, where is the direction of this club? We will never know that. Once we know that, we’ll have a better indication of what the direction is for Auston Matthews as well.”
NHLRumors.com Note: Everyone wants answers in Toronto about Auston Matthews and his future with the Maple Leafs. There are reports that he has played his last game, and may be headed to Anaheim, Los Angeles, or Utah. Only Matthews knows. It will be a waiting game, and people need to be patient. This will be a process. The talk will not go until a decision is made, one way or the other.
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