Maple Leafs' Identity Shift Hinges on One Star Finding His Game Again
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
According to TSN FirstUp, the Maple Leafs' new identity shift doesn't hinge on their depth signings or losing Mitch Marner, but if Auston Matthews shows up in the postseason.
A lot of debating has come out of the Maple Leafs' offseason and whether or not they did enough to not only add to their team in the wake of losing Mitch Marner but that they instilled their coveted DNA change, as Brad Treliving so eloquently put it.
While there's a lot to be said too about the signings made this offseason, given they really do show that Toronto is trying to shift in a different direction, however there are still concerns that regardless of who they brought in won't solve their playoff woes.
Why a Playoff Breakthrough Could Redefine Toronto's Core
There is a lot of hope, but for TSN's FirstUp show, they believe that the secret lies in not who they brought in, but who leads the team: Auston Matthews.
The topic of Toronto's DNA change came up on Friday and hosts Aaron Korolnek and Dave Feschuk discussed things further, but came to the conclusion that Auston Matthews stepping up is going to be potentially the main difference:
The DNA change comes if Matthews goes from someone who underperforms in the playoffs to someone who overachieves.
They have a point too, considering that it doesn't matter who the team brings in, if their best player and captain can't get things going in the playoffs, there's absolutely no way that they can weather the storm.
Last season, Matthews had 11 points in 13 games, but yet again fell flat in Game 7, and he hasn't necessarily taken over in any of his playoff seasons. 11 points is a career high, and he should get that in goals alone, and add another double digits in assists.
How One Star's Bounce-Back Season Impacts the Leafs' Championship Window
Sure, it's up to the other players to get things going but if your captain is unable to kickstart the offense, and you don't have anyone else who can make an impact in such a short time (at least we haven't seen it yet) so it's up to Matthews to lead by example.
If Toronto can get a full effort out of a healthy Matthews and end up coming into his own this season in the playoffs, the team will hopefully follow suit which can only mean good things for the Leafs going forward.
Brad Treliving boasted about changing Toronto's DNA with his offseason moves, but perhaps the real change lies in Auston Matthews finally becoming capable of carrying the team come April.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 9 | 1272 ANSWERS Maple Leafs' Identity Shift Hinges on One Star Finding His Game Again Who will be the best player on the Leafs this season? | ||
| Auston Matthews | 779 | 61.2 % |
| Morgan Rielly | 46 | 3.6 % |
| John Tavares | 72 | 5.7 % |
| Anthony Stolarz | 375 | 29.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
