Toronto is willing to tear down the entire Maple Leafs core to keep Auston Matthews
Photo credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs are willing to rip it all down for the sake of Auston Matthews, leaving no stone unturned in their plan to bring glory back to the team.
Chris Johnston reported that Toronto is willing to consider a trade for everyone but Auston Matthews. The catch is he's still yet to have a meeting with the captain, and time is running out. The calendar is counting down to July 1 and many Maple Leafs just learned they might not be around come next season.
There's been a lot of discussion over who the Maple Leafs may be trading this summer, and besides the likely candidates like Morgan Rielly there's also potentially massive blockbusters involving players like Matthew Knies.
Anything can happen and we don't know Chayka's mentality beyond knowing he needs to improve a large part of the roster.
Chris Johnston revealed John Chayka is willing to trade any Maple Leaf not named Auston Matthews
Well with some new information that has come out of Toronto, it seems like the team is willing to do whatever it takes for their captain.
Chris Johnston appeared on his CJ Show podcast on Tuesday and revealed a new report that shows the Maple Leafs are taking all offers into consideration, and that if it doesn't involve the name Auston Matthews - it might be on the table:
But it does seem as though, at least in taking this job, John Chayka is considering basically anything but his captain. And then obviously we'll wait to see where things land with that captain as we get into the summer.
That would be a pretty stunning development on Chayka's behalf, as he certainly has more than a few potential untouchables that if traded; would be really, really bad for his reputation. If he decides to trade Matthew Knies, he gets a haul sure.
But he also gives up one of the brightest, most unique players in the entire league, is barely scratching the surface of his potential and has future captain material written all over him. Unless you're getting five or six 20-year old prospects with guaranteed NHL success; it's fruitless.
Toronto's trade protection is making John Chayka's job harder than anyone realizes
Right now things could be a lot easier if the Maple Leafs hadn't ensured that they committed to some seriously expensive deals with added security. The only core player who isn't protected by a no-trade clause or some form of trade protection is Matthew Knies and he's arguably their most valuable.
That means that unless they get permission from their players, they are going to be stuck with them regardless of what Chayka wants. It doesn't matter if he has a trade for Morgan Rielly; if he wants to stay - he stays.
That doesn't necessarily constitute that every player is going to neglect to waive that protection, but it does make things a lot harder knowing that you need to ensure that wherever these guys want to go even wants them in the first place.
Chayka doesn't even know what his captain wants yet, so he can't make a decision on who should leave if Matthews wants to keep them around or finds they offer more off-ice that's valuable. It's a hard line to toe because you need to actively improve the team but you can't upset your biggest star.
All we can hope is that Toronto learns their lesson and gives minor trade protection to their big free agent signings or extensions. A no-trade clause and a multiple-team list is night and day; you have to plan for the future too.
If it weren't for the decisions made from previous regimes, John Chayka wouldn't have such a difficult time stripping the roster down - It's not going to stop him from trying though.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Auston Matthews has made his first demand of the offseason for a tougher Maple Leafs roster
Auston Matthews has made his first demand of the offseason for a tougher Maple Leafs roster
Previously on Hockey Patrol