The Maple Leafs won the lottery and Friedman just told fans the awful truth about Auston Matthews
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images; Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Toronto may have won the draft lottery but according to some information from Elliotte Friedman, it doesn't completely change his mind about staying with the team.
Mats Sundin wore #13 for his whole career and while many would say that's unlucky, it may have been a bit of curse-breaker as the new Senior Advisor was on hand to see the Maple Leafs win the first overall pick.
A former first overall selection himself, Sundin was grinning ear to ear knowing that he and John Chayka now have the best ammunition in the fight to keep Auston Matthews around. With Gavin McKenna potentially on the horizon, there's no reason Matthews wouldn't stick around right?
....right?
Well if you were to take Elliotte Friedman at his word, the win doesn't necessarily guarantee that Matthews will change his mind.
The lottery win changes nothing for Auston Matthews but it will give him something to think about for sure
Friedman spoke about how the changes needed in the lineup are still a key factor, and the captain still wants to know the game plan regardless of whether it involves the first overall pick or not:
I don't think the Leafs winning the lottery changes anything for Auston Matthews. The goal right now is he is still going to sit down with Chayka; Sundin and ask not only what the plan is but how will you execute the plan? If the Leafs prove they can execute it, everything will work out.
This player alone is not going to completely change the fortunes of the franchise, although it will help.
This player alone is not going to completely change the fortunes of the franchise, although it will help.
Friedman's blunt transparency about the situation will make some Maple Leafs fans cringe and GM John Chayka's comments regarding things don't exactly spring forth a ton of hope - though there is optimism:
That's not my understanding (he didn't say if they've spoken yet). But I understand you only have so many years as a player. He's the captain, it's his room.
It's admirable to give Matthews the reins (as he should as leader) but Chayka and company are going to have to pray that whatever they tell him doesn't fall on deaf ears.
Chayka has the entire offseason to prove to Matthews that the plan is not only in motion, but it'll bring untold success
So it's a good thing that they have the next few months to figure it out. The NHL Draft takes place June 26-27, so there is still a month and a half for Chayka and Sundin to figure out a game plan not only for the draft but beyond.
Though they should already have one in mind, I don't think they foresaw themselves getting the chance to select McKenna and that will alter things a bit. With the chance to add that generational winger, the focus can shift on solely going all in on improving the defence and giving Matthews the 'dogs' he needs.
This could facilitate a deal for a player like Tom Wilson to add some more protection and scoring, or a big signing like Alex Tuch to shore up the top-six.
But most likely, the team should be throwing a blank cheque at Darren Raddysh to bring him in, and make whatever deal necessary to bring in a name like Dougie Hamilton or Brandt Clarke.
You have to also be honest with Matthews and say that some of his friends are going to be gone though at this point it's more than likely the captain wants to win regardless of who is there; just do something to get better.
The last order of business is either convincing Matthews that Craig Berube is the right choice or ask him who he would want running things and go hard after them. There is no point in pussyfooting around the situation - fire him or keep him - but you best have a good reason he's around still.
If Chayka and Sundin can do all of that, then it will likely give Auston Matthews much more reason to stick around.
Though there's always a chance they do everything they can and he still walks away. But hey, at least we have 10 years of Gavin McKenna to look forward to.
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