SDPN: Chris Johnston on if Auston Matthews will be a Toronto Maple Leaf subsequent yr, and how much change could be coming.
(The podcast was recorded earlier than the information that Kyle Dubas wouldn’t be again subsequent season.)
Johnston: “I nonetheless consider that Auston Matthews desires to be a Leaf. This isn’t about him wanting out. It’s extra that the group is at this big crossroads and they need to resolve what they need, proper?
You know, Auston Matthews, I consider, desires to remain. Wants to signal that extension on or about July 1st. Like, I don’t assume he desires this dragging on. He doesn’t want any extra hypothesis.
But he additionally desires to consider the crew can win the Stanley Cup. I believe that’s most essential to him. And so the Leafs have to put a plan in entrance of them too. I imply, that is it. It’s a bit of wild we’re sitting right here on May sixteenth and so much feels up within the air.
Like actually, what could be extra up within the air than like probably shifting franchise superstars, probably having a GM stroll away (podcast earlier than the Leafs and Dubas parted methods on Friday), probably having to change a head coach and having to do all of it in a six to seven week window on the busiest time on the hockey calendar for transactions?
I imply, it’s, it’s arduous to place your thoughts round all of it.
Julien McKenzie: There’s a actuality the place these three issues I discussed, the top coach, the GM and that core 4 – there’s a change in any respect three ranges.
I do know I form of stated, “Hey, maybe there’s reality where everything stays!” And you stated, ‘no,’ nice soundbite, but in addition there’s a actuality all of that modifications. Well – it’s ridiculous.
Johnston: “The greater up the chain of command it modifications, the extra seemingly there’s change under proper?
Like, If you simply get a model new GM who’s a recent set of eyes, effectively it’s extra seemingly he’s altering the top coach and buying and selling one or two of these gamers. Like that, I believe that, it’s such as you blow up a bit of greater up the chain, the explosions go downwards on this case.
So, you already know, I believe the quote I gave – sadly, you at all times say one thing to get you radioed. however I stated on TSN 1050 yesterday that I anticipate one bomb, presumably a couple of bomb, and I nonetheless stand by that. I imply that there’s one main change, if not two or extra coming.”
