Matthews knows how the Leafs treated his closest family friend and that Arizona meeting just got complicated
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Shane Doan has been pushed out of two NHL teams thanks to John Chayka and it's bad news if he wanted the meeting with Auston Matthews to go smoothly.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to make moves in order to give themselves a fresh start heading into 2026-27, they still have a lot of work ahead of them. Firing Craig Berube was step one and nabbing the first overall pick doesn't hurt either.
But now comes roster construction, filling out the rest of the front office and coaching staff, then finally making sure that Auston Matthews has as much support as humanly possible to prevent him from leaving when his contract is up.
Matthews is going to no doubt have a list of demands for the Maple Leafs and GM John Chayka and until he starts to see some real action instead of broken promises - life is going to be pretty difficult for Toronto.
It also doesn't help that the management team leading Toronto has messed with one of his best friend's livelihood.
John Chayka has twice messed with Shane Doan and that's not going to sit well with Auston Matthews
Shane Doan was someone who didn't get a ton of attention in Toronto until the end of his time, but it's his tenure ending prematurely that may give Matthews pause. With a month and a half left on his deal, the team and Doan parted ways; giving Doan a chance to pursue other interests.
Though he missed out on the Canucks GM job, he will get a job elsewhere and the Maple Leafs are now down a key advisor. Though it's not like John Chayka hasn't unceremoniously dumped Doan before.
Chayka gave him the cold shoulder upon his exit in 2017-18, with the long-time Coyote stating he felt he was 'corporately fired'; noting a lack of honour or integrity on Chayka's behalf.
It is also reported that Doan and Matthews' families are both close, with Shane mentioning that the two families share the same church back in a 2016 interview:
I got to know his family a little bit. His mom and dad go to the same church that we go to. He's an unbelievable kid.
Obviously growing up in Arizona, Doan is someone Matthews admired and mentioned as such when Doan retired in 2017:
My childhood idol growing up. Amazing player and an even better person. Congrats on an unbelievable career Doaner !
Now that Chayka has twice interfered with Doan and his family, will that give Matthews something to think about?
First time in Arizona, now twice in Toronto - and Matthews had a front row seat each time.
Matthews may have questions for Chayka and he needs an honest answer
When the two finally meet to discuss the future of the captain in the team's plans, there might be an interrogation on Matthews' behalf, as he wants answers as to why Chayka has it out for Doan.
If he is honest with Matthews and admits to his faults, while also trying to explain the mutual parting was in Doan's best interest and not another shaft; it could be key in making sure that he's sticking around past 2028.
If the apology goes over well, the next step is to make sure that he gives him a details list of what he intends to do with the roster and coach going forward. Chayka needs to come armed with a group of players and coaches who may play into Matthews' vision and there needs to be compromise.
Say for example, Matthews really feels like Alex Tuch would be a perfect fit alongside him. As a free agent he is going to get a lot of money, and he may hope that Toronto will throw a blank cheque at him.
But if they swing and miss on him, then have no real backup plan - Matthews' foot will continue creeping out the door.
A lack of respect was one of the crucial factors that pushed Mitch Marner out of Toronto and into Vegas, so if John Chayka isn't careful then he's going to do the same to Auston Matthews.
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