Pittsburgh Penguins linked to Auston Matthews trade proves Kyle Dubas is ready to strike
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Auston Matthews and Sidney Crosby? It's a crazy thought but it might be rooted more in reality as Kyle Dubas could look to bring his former superstar to the Penguins.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are certainly facing a bit of an impasse with Auston Matthews as he's clearly committed to the team but only if they can prove that they can bring him success and have a plan in place for him to not only thrive, but win.
But a lot of that depends on who they bring in, and if the leadership team can't convince Matthews to stick around past 2028, there's a strong chance he may end up forcing his way out of town — and leave the Maple Leafs with nothing.
Auston Matthews is Pennsylvania bound? Looking at the possibility
So if he isn't committing to the team past 2028, there may be a reason to move him, and it sounds like he has at least one very interested suitor: Kyle Dubas.
While nothing is concrete by any means, a previous article from Josh Yohe of The Athletic delved a bit deeper into the possibility. When asked if Pittsburgh is a place that Matthews could go if he leaves Toronto, Yohe felt that Dubas would be one of the first on the phone:
If he becomes available, I’d be stunned if Dubas didn’t make a call. The Penguins have the cap space and trade pieces to make a deal like that.
I mean, 31 other teams would love to get their hands on Matthews however the fact that he already has a strong relationship with Dubas and knows that he can thrive under him; he could consider it.
Matthews arguably had his best seasons under Dubas at least offensively, and with him needing to get back into the fold and become that 60-goal scorer again, he could be given full reign to run the Penguins (provided Sidney Crosby isn't around).
The issue Yohe brought up though is actually on the Penguins' side, as he mentions that Ben Kindel is no doubt a piece going back. Kindel has torched the Maple Leafs already in his young career, and looks poised to be a consistent 30-40 goal scorer for years to come.
Toronto would surely want Ben Kindel, and I don’t know that Dubas would trade him.
As you noted, I also don’t know how eager the Leafs would be to trade their superstar to Dubas, who has been on the rise over the past year, as the Penguins climb and the Leafs fall.
As you noted, I also don’t know how eager the Leafs would be to trade their superstar to Dubas, who has been on the rise over the past year, as the Penguins climb and the Leafs fall.
Kindel, 19, came out of the woodwork and managed 35 points in his rookie season and is in the thick of the playoffs already. He had some great mentorship no doubt and he's so incredibly young that Toronto could build around him for a near decade before he hits his prime.
Can Toronto convince Matthews to stay past 2028?
Well it's going to start with who they bring in to lead the team however there is a good chance that Matthews is privy to seeing what they have in store. All reports point to the captain wanting to win in Toronto, but has to see commitment from the front office.
That means whoever comes in has to be willing to give Matthews who and what he needs, and not be shy about stripping things down to do it. While there's going to be some bittersweet partings, it's part of the business; and you're in it to win.
Matthews is at the point where he should be focused on titles, not friendships and he knows that he isn't going to lose these guys off the ice, and there is no animosity — plus he needs guys who actually wanna protect him.
You're only convincing him to stay if you prove that you're serious about making changes. If it's back to the status quo and if Craig Berube is somehow still behind the bench...you can likely kiss Matthews goodbye.
Would it be weird to see the Maple Leafs captain in black and gold? Absolutely, but if Toronto doesn't start providing him what he needs to thrive, he'll find it with an old friend over in Pittsburgh.
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Previously on Hockey Patrol