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Leafs rumors: Auston Matthews linked to Central Division playoff team by insider
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- Leafs rumors: Auston Matthews linked to Central Division playoff team by insider
Leafs rumors: Auston Matthews linked to Central Division playoff team by insider appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The noise never ends for the Toronto Maple Leafs , as winning the NHL Draft Lottery and firing the polarizing head coach Craig Berube wasn’t even enough to stop the Auston Matthews trade rumors. With Matthews’ future in Toronto uncertain, the assumption was that acquiring a top talent at first overall to play alongside him and firing the coach that he may not have seen eye-to-eye with on his usage could tip the scales in the Maple Leafs’ favor.
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However, the trade rumors persist, and when some of the most well-trusted Leafs insiders like Nick Kypreos begin talking, fans have to start listening. The captain may even have teams already keeping a close eye on the situation, according to Kypreos via his recent article on Sportsnet.
“Even if there’s a hint that Matthews’ future in Toronto could become uncertain in the long-term, phone calls will be made. Speculation in my inner circle has the Utah Mammoth watching this situation, as they have a few of Matthews’ close friends on their roster, including Clayton Keller,” Kypreos wrote.
Matthews’ transition from the league’s most dangerous scorer to a two-way center over the past few seasons is hard to explain. He is good in the role, but the assumption was that Berube leaned on him too heavily, and it silenced his offensive gifts. A new head coach could unlock it again in Toronto, but there is a chance that the ship has already sailed on his feelings for the Maple Leafs, and he’d prefer a fresh start.
Related: 5 options to replace Craig Berube as Maple Leafs’ head coach
Related: Maple Leafs GM John Chayka’s Auston Matthews mic drop on Craig Berube firing
