This is due to the fact that Toronto has now lost seven consecutive postseason series and eight consecutive games in which it had a chance to eliminate an opponent. Since 2018, the core of Matthews, Marner, and William Nylander has accumulated seven points.
Fans were quick to point out Marner's $11 million price tag, claiming that he should be moved this summer because he was not a clutch postseason player. Marner did not score a single goal in the series, collecting four assists in seven games, and fans were quick to point out his $11 million price tag, claiming that he should be moved this summer because he was not a clutch postseason player.
Matthews, on the other hand, didn't come close to having the same influence. The regular-season winner of the Rocket Richard Trophy was nowhere to be found. In the series, he only scored one goal.
This has been repeated numerous times in recent days, and agent Allan Walsh believes it is finally sufficient. This is what he shared on social media, coupled with images of other scathing headlines produced by the media in the aftermath of the collapse.
«There is something seriously wrong with the fans and media and how they attack players. It's taking a toll on their mental health. Yes, they make a lot of money and criticizing poor performance is fair. What I'm seeing lately crosses a line.»
It is clear to see that the Maple Leafs failed to get money's worth out of Matthews and Marner. However, it seems like saying it is another thing that might have a more significant impact on the players' mental health.
We all remember in the regular season how Canadiens' Jonathan Drouin was forced to step away from the game to take care of his mental health. It is no secret that the pressure is high in Montreal, especially for a guy born and raised in the province of Quebec.
The pressure might have gone up wildly in Toronto as well. And while Matthews might be able to flee the city for the summer, Marner the local boy will find it hard to face this reality until he can prove fans wrong again in the 2021-22 season.
POLL | ||
Are these two players worth their contracts? | ||
Yes | 72 | 30.4 % |
No | 165 | 69.6 % |
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