Big statement about the future of Auston Matthews with the Toronto Maple Leafs

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Elias Adaime
April 23, 2023 (2:53 PM)

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Despite their comeback in the series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, there are already speculations in Toronto about the leadership within the team.

With a lineup that includes so many good players, it's almost inexplicable that the Leafs are unable to get past the first round of the playoffs, which they haven't done since the 2003-2004 season.

Among the players who will need to step up, there is a certain Auston Matthews. Even though he has collected points, some experts have doubts about his real desire to win, including Tony Marinaro.

Medérick Lefebvre, from the website Danslescoulisses.com, expressed little encouragement on BPM Sports about the non-verbal behavior of number 34 on the Leafs' bench.

Looking at him on the bench... He looks really unhappy, this guy. He seems to be fed up with Toronto. He looks like a guy who really wants to go to a small market where they won't talk much about hockey, so he can just play and that's it. It wouldn't surprise me.

Is it possible that Matthews is already thinking about a future outside of Toronto?

As we know, he is from Arizona and his contract expires at the end of next season. Some rumors already associate him as a future member of the Arizona Coyotes and let's face it, the pressure there is non-existent compared to Toronto.

Well, I'm not saying that Matthews' bags are already packed for the desert, but it must be admitted that if the Maple Leafs want to reach the next level, the contribution of number 34 is essential. In the event of another early exit by the Leafs, the pressure would become unbearable and it is likely that he will want to test the free agent market in the summer of 2024.

Credit : BPM Sports