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Maple Leafs insider claims an Auston Matthews trade might happen sooner than you think
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is the team's franchise player, and a trade is unthinkable, although Nick Kypreos isn't so sure this is the case.
The last two seasons have not been fun for Auston Matthews. Last season, he had to deal with a nagging injury that diminished his ability to score goals.
This season, Matthews has nine goals in 17 games, but it still isn't the kind of pace that we are used to. Now, he is dealing with an another injury, and his season is being derailed further.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs keep losing, and it feels like the sky is falling. The team is at risk of missing the playoffs, and in that case, some serious conversations would need to be had.
In fact, Nick Kypreos of "Real Kyper & Bourne" believes there is a world in which a Matthews trade is a real possibility.
Toronto's case for wanting to trade Auston Matthews
The insider revealed two different perspectives that exist right now. Firstly, we have the perspective of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who could find themselves frustrated with Matthews' lack of availability.
Need to trade this guy because they're not sure about it I think if there's another year like last year where we sit here and contemplate even when he's in the lineup that he's not 100% or he's protecting an injury it's it's not a good thing it's not a good thing and and then the other factor is your only two years away from his contract
This might seem drastic, and for all intents and purposes, it is. However, there is an alternative perspective, where it is Matthews who wants out.
Auston Matthews' case for wanting out of Toronto
As Kypreos explains, the Leafs could end up going into a rebuild if things go south this season. It is very unlikely that Matthews would go through with that, and a trade would be on the table.
There'd be a lot more to think about moving forward, and for him as well. Suppose this team misses the playoffs and they're in a rebuild, and he's got two years left on his deal. He's eligible to sign as early as one more season. In that case, it gives him something to think about too it definitely changes the dynamics of the future of the Toronto Maple Leafs as we looked at it as early as last season, compared to a team now that many people believe that a window could be closing here.
This all feels like an overreaction to a bad start to the season, although it is easy to see where Kypreos is coming from right now. Hopefully, it doesn't have to come to such a drastic place.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 22 | 657 ANSWERS Maple Leafs insider claims an Auston Matthews trade might happen sooner than you think Do you believe the Toronto Maple Leafs would ever trade Auston Matthews? | ||
| YES | 471 | 71.7 % |
| NO | 186 | 28.3 % |
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