Auston Matthews could finally get a true long-term 2C, and it’s the exact type the Leafs lack
Photo credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs could add a perfect piece to their retool and give Auston Matthews a perfect 2C for years to come, but they may need to act quickly.
If the Maple Leafs are indeed retooling, that means that they are going to need to build around some of their stars like William Nylander and Matthew Knies.
But there's seemingly no one more important than Auston Matthews, the captain and leader of the team who is set to face a lot of adversity for the first time in his career.
The team is going to have to ensure they have the best pieces possible going forward and even though that means that some faces who have been here a bit need to leave; it will be for the greater good going forward.
Robert Thomas could be perfect for Maple Leafs: Friedman
There seems to be one player who fits the bill perfectly as not only someone who could back up Matthews in the lineup, but also help give John Tavares some much needed relief:
According to Elliotte Friedman, he believes that the Maple Leafs could target St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas as a way to improve the lineup and give the team a proper 2C.
Nothing against John Tavares but he's only getting older and his role as a do everything type of player is going to diminish the more time goes on. If Toronto wants to rebuild around Matthews, then adding a player like Thomas is logical if expensive.
Why Thomas makes sense even if he's expensive
Thomas, 26, is just reaching the prime years of his career and is a playmaking machine who can give William Nylander a huge boost offensively while also letting Tavares take less responsibility.
He's elite at face-offs, has been in the Selke race before, isn't afraid to block a shot here and there; plus if the team keeps Craig Berube he at least has success under him when they won a Cup together.
He's also from Aurora, Ontario so it would essentially be bringing in another hometown player and as we've seen with Tavares, Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz -- it's appealing to play here.
If the team were to actually make trades and get assets back, then it would help them to have at least their top two centres locked down.
With Thomas, they get him in his prime years, and while his contract might be a bit of an issue; compared to other stars it's a bargain at $8.25-million.
If Toronto were to make deals and also find a way to bring in Thomas, here's how a top-six might look with him:
Knies - Matthews - ???
Tavares - Thomas - Nylander
Tavares - Thomas - Nylander
It's all about finding that sidekick for Auston Matthews again. Maybe it's still Max Domi, or maybe the team tries to extend Bobby McMann to put him there.
Whichever way they go, if the team truly thinks a retool is in the works then they need a lot of firepower to build around and it happens that there's one who could be the perfect addition at the end of the day.
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Two Maple Leafs hit the trade block, and one name will surprise fans
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