The Maple Leafs want Auston Matthews to trust a plan when they don't even know who the GM is next year
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
MLSE is asking Auston Matthews to 'trust the process' but with no idea who's even running the show come next year, things could get a whole lot worse before they get better.
If you're Auston Matthews right now, the last thing you have right now is trust. Not only a lack thereof for the NHL Department of Player Safety, but for his own teammates who refused to stick up for him and gave the captain a lot to think about going forward.
While he wants to win, he needs the right people around him, and that comes down to who runs the front office. Right now there's a lot of speculation over Brad Treliving's future, and with him likely out - a new face could be exactly what turns Matthews into a believer.
Brad Treliving's incentive to care about Toronto is weakening by the day
However, you're walking into a big trap. Treliving is someone with really nothing left to lose at this point: He's likely being let go, he's being chastised by the media, and his tenure in Toronto has been lacklustre at best.
So why is it in his best interest to help the team? It's not, and MLSE is starting to think the same way according to Elliotte Friedman:
Brad Treliving has one more year left on his contract. I cannot see the Maple Leaf allowing him to go into next year without some clarity. I don't see it.
They did it with Dubas; look at the craziness it caused. They did it with Shanahan; look at all the uncertainty it caused. I just don't see them doing that. I think one way or the other, we're gonna get some finality here.
They did it with Dubas; look at the craziness it caused. They did it with Shanahan; look at all the uncertainty it caused. I just don't see them doing that. I think one way or the other, we're gonna get some finality here.
It seems like a scenario where it's either 'Prove to us you give a damn with actual proactive moves or you're fired.' There's no two ways around it; you can't extend him longer and you can't keep him any longer.
The leash has been shortened to an extensive degree and there's no room for error but even if he's around next year - it bodes badly for Matthews.
Auston Matthews has done his time - he deserves a real plan, not another summer of uncertainty
He has one year left after next season, and if you have a lame-duck GM who isn't building for the future after he's gone, or put together a competitive team then you're going to lose the captain the year after Treliving's out the door.
But if they get rid of Treliving, and bring in a new GM it's just the same old story. Matthews has done his time, he's spent a decade failing to get any type of real playoff success and while he shoulders some blame; it's the roster around him that brought things down.
You want him to trust the same guy who may have ruined his chances of winning a Cup? That's a hard sell even if he was Brad Treliving's best friend. If they don't have a true leader in charge like a Doug Armstrong, Jim Nill, or Chris Pronger then they're never getting anywhere.
It starts with bringing in someone who will force change and build a winning culture. Then, you can focus on the GM and head coach and see who will bring you both the most success at the NHL level and also help develop your young stars like Easton Cowan.
The roster comes last because Matthews needs to see the first two issues be solved ahead of that. MLSE needs to show him that they are serious and that winning means more than the bottom line.
Until then, you're asking Auston Matthews to stay where he feels like he might not be treated properly. With his American buddies always in his ear, it could lead to the real end of the Matthews era.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 19|950 ANSWERS The Maple Leafs want Auston Matthews to trust a plan when they don't even know who the GM is next year Do you think the Maple Leafs have failed Auston Matthews? | ||
| Yes | 660 | 69.5 % |
| No | 290 | 30.5 % |
| List of polls | ||