The search for a new GM is a hunt for a leader who has the guts to speak the truth about 34 and 88
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Whoever comes in to fix the Maple Leafs has to give Auston Matthews and William Nylander the business and ask whether they are fully committed or if they have expired past their best before date.
The new GM walking into Toronto needs to look both players in the eye and ask them simply: 'Are you good enough to win, or are you comfortable enough not to care?'
While there is still a lot to love about both players, if the team really wants to instil change into the philosophy and actually make those monumental differences then they need to make a choice — are Matthews and Nylander good enough to win?
The next architect of the Maple Leafs needs to deliver a reality check to both Auston Matthews and William Nylander
There is no denying their talents, that much is indisputable. However, they don't exactly know how to win at the NHL level. Sure, Matthews won a gold medal this year but that was his first real taste of success since being drafted.
He's also very expensive and often injury prone plus there is also no guarantee that he a) recovers perfectly from a torn MCL and b) if Craig Berube didn't neuter him to oblivion...he could be unsalvageable.
At that point then what? You have a $13.25-million 2C who somehow can't hit 50 goals anymore? How does that win you a team when you can send him out and bring back four, five pieces who could? Is it about winning or a popularity contest?
The management team has to tell Matthews that outright and weigh whether or not hoping he gets back to form is more valuable than anything tangible he can bring back.
Nylander is a little more forgivable considering that he is much healthier, putting up better offensive numbers recently, and has started to take a much bigger leadership role — and he should probably stop injuring his own teammates as well.
But there's also a serious dose of reality for Nylander too. There needs to be a sit-down with the superstar and explain that 'Hey, defence matters too.' If they can settle Nylander down into someone who puts in a full effort all the time then he can be even better than he is now.
He's also locked up a lot longer than Matthews, who only has two more seasons to go. It would be easier to let go of two seasons with Matthews as opposed to six lost from Nylander.
Plus, as striking as it is, let's compare the two over the past two seasons:
Matthews: 127 games played, 60 goals, 71 assists, 131 points, plus-seven
Nylander: 140 games played, 71 goals, 84 assists, 155 points, plus-five
The latter is better statistically, and has been around more — the numbers are right there. Right now, if you had to choose one or the other...Nylander could get the edge for some.
A decade of shielding the core has led Toronto to a dead end
Without a big change in the organization you're just going to see the same status quo. Sure, both men may put up great numbers but when they are stuck in the basement of the division again, what's the excuse?
As good as both men are, both are a lot more passive. You won't have that bite someone like a Brady Tkachuk, Gabriel Landeskog or dare I say it...Radko Gudas.
For a group who has gone through several coaches and management changes, the sentiment from Nylander and company is the same. 'It's on us, it's our fault' is the mantra lately, and Toronto can't afford to keep players who fake accountability.
Toronto built up some much camaraderie and excitement with the 'Core Four' knowing that this group could bring something special, and they kept the train running even if it was derailing at breakneck speed. It was loyalty and hope vs. success which is a battle that seems un-winnable.
The general group has become a lot more comfortable with how things are, and it's only until now did they realize the error of their ways.
It's why the looming changes feel like an erratic dark cloud spread over the heads of Leafs Nation. We've heard this before, but it's time to have their actions speak for their words.
And it's about time they cranked the volume to 11.
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Chris Pronger puts the Maple Leafs on notice with his strict conditions for the MLSE to join the front office
Chris Pronger puts the Maple Leafs on notice with his strict conditions for the MLSE to join the front office
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 1|1298 ANSWERS The search for a new GM is a hunt for a leader who has the guts to speak the truth about 34 and 88 Do you think that the Maple Leafs should trade Auston Matthews or William Nylander? | ||
| Auston Matthews | 413 | 31.8 % |
| William Nylander | 96 | 7.4 % |
| Both | 422 | 32.5 % |
| Neither | 367 | 28.3 % |
| List of polls | ||