Nylander and Matthews answered the same question very differently and one of those answers should worry Leafs

With the Toronto Maple Leafs facing a lot of questions for their disappointing season, no doubt there are several factors to blame for the team's failures. Shaky goaltending, injuries, and a severe lack of a spine really led them down the wrong path; and into a new era.

On locker room clean-out day, the team was pestered with questions from the media, with all eyes on their future. Would Auston Matthews demand a trade? Would William Nylander give us a soundbite? After a 92-second interview though that seemed unlikely.

Matthews said he didn't know what the future held for him, and that's completely valid. Though, if you had to compare the two then you'll start to see that maybe Nylander is a lot more committed despite the hardships.

Nylander recently posted on social media about how much he loves the city, loves the fans, and his teammates. He said he was looking forward to whatever next season brought and it feels like he's all in regardless of previous reports; many thought any rebuild talk may push him out:

Contrast that to Matthews where the captain was not too straightforward when it comes down his future and admitted that it's all up to the new management group:

While it's understandable that the Maple Leafs leader is a bit frustrated; clearly the team admitted they had issues and are trying to fix them. Matthews as the captain needs to throw his full support behind whoever it is and work together, otherwise there's already friction.

Nylander is also aware that things don't change overnight and with how much work there is; he can be a little patient meanwhile Matthews sounds like it's his way or the highway.

Nylander is locked down for a long-time and knowing how demanding Matthews might be, it could be the former who takes precedent over the latter.

Say what you will about his defensive efforts at time but Nylander is clearly all chips in the middle when it comes to Toronto.

With Matthews being so adamant about the changes that need to be made, you have a lot of questions about whether he really wants to win as a collective, or if he would rather be the main focus as everyone follows the leader.

While you'd never think Nylander was captain material based off how how relaxed and nonchalant he is at times, the fact that he has never wavered on the city and despite a ton of criticism has also just brushed it off, went out, and did his job.

Nylander had his fifth-straight 30-goal, 75+ point season, and that was with missing nearly a month combine with various injuries. He's as reliable and consistent as ever, and since he knows that he can't control the office decisions — only his performance — then he's going to focus on that solely.

Matthews meanwhile can't stay healthy and if he is going to complain about the new management team, or feels like they aren't exactly who he wants to lead them; he's likely not sticking around anyways.

So maybe while all the attention is on #34, it's been #88 who has quietly been the most consistent and passionate member of the team.

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