Story by
Maple Leafs rumors: The ‘priority’ for Toronto’s next general manager will not surprise you
- Story by
- Maple Leafs rumors: The ‘priority’ for Toronto’s next general manager will not surprise you
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs rumors: The 'priority' for Toronto's next general manager will not surprise you appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Toronto Maple Leafs are interviewing candidates for the general manager role, with other front office executives potentially joining the club. Craig Berube's future is up in the air , but two players are sticking around, according to ownership. The Maple Leafs won't be trading Auston Matthews or William Nylander , according to reports from the interview process.
Advertisement
"Keeping captain Auston Matthews and star forward William Nylander in Toronto has been noted in interviews as a priority for MLSE. Matthews has been rehabbing from knee surgery in Arizona and is not directly involved in the hiring process," The Athletic reported. Jonas Siegel, Chris Johnston, and James Mirtle combined for the report.
The Maple Leafs lost Mitch Marner last offseason , ending the Core Four era in Toronto. Marner was set to be an unrestricted free agent before they traded his rights to the Vegas Golden Knights . The often-blamed Marner has four assists in five playoff games for Vegas.
With Marner already gone, it has been easy for fans and analysts to advocate for a complete teardown of the Core Four. But they may not have their own first-round picks in the next two seasons, depending on lottery results. It is hard to start a rebuild without your own picks, so the new Maple Leafs GM will be keeping Matthews and Nylander.
Matthews missed the final stretch of the season after a knee-on-knee collision with Radko Gudas . He had MCL surgery, which he is currently rehabbing. He has two years left on his contract, which does include a no-trade clause. But if the Maple Leafs did want to start a rebuild without their own picks, they could get a haul for Matthews.
Advertisement
Nylander signed a long-term deal with Toronto, which pays him $11.5 million for the next six seasons. He has a no-movement clause, so he would have to approve a trade.
Related: Leafs rumors: Toronto won't make Craig Berube decision until front office is assembled
