Seemingly every season Toronto Maple Leafs fans worry if this is the year that star forward Auston Matthews gets fed up and forces his way out of town.
Unfortunately for those fans, this very well may be the year it happens.
According to a report from Chris Johnston of The Athletic, there’s a chance that Matthews may not be back next season, which comes on the heels of the controversial hiring of new general manager John Chayka.
“Matthews has two years remaining on his contract, but still isn’t sure if he’ll be back in Toronto in the fall, according to league sources,” Johnston reported. “… The only sales pitch Matthews needs at this stage is real action, according to league sources.
“Before committing to another season in Toronto, he wants to see a roster that has been meaningfully upgraded through trades and free agency. This isn’t about selling him on a fancy 12-point plan or a bunch of vague promises. Seeing is believing.”
Johnston called this season “the lowest point the franchise has hit since Matthews was drafted No. 1 in 2016.”
Toronto likely won’t have a first-round pick this year unless it comes inside the top five due to the trade that sent Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo to the Leafs in exchange for a conditional first-round pick.
Chayka and newly hired senior executive advisor of hockey operations Mats Sundin were hired to usher in a culture change and turn the franchise around.
Johnston speculated that what the duo does during the draft and in free agency — thus setting the short- and long-term future of the team — will dictate whether or not Matthews sticks around, and whether or not he trusts Chayka’s vision for the team.
“We’re in May; we’ve got a long offseason, depending on what moves are available and how we can execute and the hit rate of the moves we make, honestly,” Chayka told reporters. “That’ll determine (if we consider a rebuild), but I’d rather answer that question in training camp when we have a full view of the roster.”
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