NHL Rumor Roundup: More Uncertainty About Auston Matthews' Future, Latest On The Ducks
Auston Matthews' season-ending knee surgery continues to raise questions about his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Meanwhile, Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish's struggles this season could make him the subject of off-season trade speculation.
Video Transcript
I'm Lyle Richardson of The Hockey News.
Auston Matthews' season-ending knee injury was definitely the low point for this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and it has raised questions about his future in Toronto, which is one of the topics of today's NHL Rumor Roundup column.
Matthews is two years away from unrestricted free agent eligibility.
His camp reportedly met with the Maple Leafs back in February before the Olympic break to kind of gauge an idea of what their, plans were going to be.
And it's expected since the injury occurred that the two sides will meet again to discuss the future within the next two to three months.
Chris Johnston of The Athletic recently wondered if Matthews' injury and his teammates' embarrassing initial reaction to it may have been what he calls the final act in Toronto for arguably the greatest Maple Leaf ever.
Johnston speculated that changes could be coming to the Leafs, both in the front office and the coaching staff, and perhaps even with the roster.
It could take until June before the, two sides have a clearer picture of what the club's direction might be.
Matthews could stay patient and give it another season and see if the Leafs can bounce back from their disappointing efforts this season.
His full no-movement clause in his contract gives him complete control over the situation if he and the Leafs do decide to part company.
Now, if it comes to that, Johnston pointed out that the Leafs will not get full value, in any trade because that rarely occurs when you move a player of Matthews' caliber, and his full no-movement clause would also severely limit their options.
In that scenario, in my opinion, the best that the Leafs could hope for if they do decide to trade Matthews either this summer or next summer, is to get a return comparable to what the Vancouver Canucks received for Quinn Hughes, which is three promising young players and an unprotected first-round draft pick.
