Brady Tkachuk called out the Maple Leafs' response to the Matthews hit and even their rivals know the captain
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Brady Tkachuk wasn't envious of Auston Matthews at least when it came to his teammates as he believes the Maple Leafs captain's team abandoned him when he needed them most.
The Tkachuk Brothers are taking the hockey podcast world by storm by giving us a Kelce Brothers-esque podcast that delves into the world and mind of two NHL players who just so happen to be sons of an NHL legend.
Tkachuk comments land differently when Matthews has a lot of time to reflect
Say what you want about them but they are driving up interest around the league and their focus on Auston Matthews had Brady stirring the pot when it came to the Maple Leafs captain.
Taking charge, the younger Tkachuk exclaimed that if he were in the position of Matthews he would feel shame on behalf of them, and that he would be 'pretty p-d off' if his teammates stared as he lay grimacing on the ice:
Your captain gets taken out like that, you gotta have a way better response.... I know how I'd feel if I got hit like that and nobody really jumped in there. I'd be pretty pissed.
But this long timeframe of a torn MCL gives Matthews a lot of time to think about things and where the team lies. If you think that he was concerned before, what if the team does nothing to change the culture?
His two teammates of a decade didn't do anything and if they stick around, why would he want to? Clearly Toronto doesn't value Matthews as much if they do, and it's another case of not properly building around your best player since Mats Sundin.
He's watching his Team USA teammates sit there and defend him, and two divisional rivals at that. When the opposition is sticking up for you but your teammates aren't?
Toronto spent a decade supporting Auston Matthews with the wrong type of players
It's time to reassess.
The Maple Leafs spent the last decade trying to prioritize surrounding guys who could elevate Matthews when they should have spent it on protecting him.
This is Auston Matthews, the guy who scored four goals in his debut. He doesn't need skill to support him, he's capable of running things alone, and if he had some people around to open up space and clear the road so to speak; he could be even better.
They also already had Nylander, Mitch Marner, a younger John Tavares; there were chances to succeed and instead of focusing on how to elevate and protect them, they devoted over half their money and bet on some depth pieces to fill that role.
It's not going to work out when the depth players you're getting are names like Ryan Reaves and Steven Lorentz. Sure, he is a good enforcer-style player but was also much older. If anything, Toronto should have gone after someone like an Arber Xhekaj or Matt Rempe if they wanted to get a lot more physical.
The problem was never about skill. This was a team who was able to run roughshod over teams despite being outshot every game. It's about finding a way to protect that skill on the ice.
If your skilled guys aren't getting hurt and unable to play, then what good is the support when there's nothing left to protect?
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The Maple Leafs just pulled a classic Toronto move by winning a game they arguably needed to lose
The Maple Leafs just pulled a classic Toronto move by winning a game they arguably needed to lose
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 16|817 ANSWERS Brady Tkachuk called out the Maple Leafs' response to the Matthews hit and even their rivals know the captain Do you think Auston Matthews is going to leave the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 625 | 76.5 % |
| No | 192 | 23.5 % |
| List of polls | ||