The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a very interesting last few months. Since the end of the Olympic break, the team has been planning for a retool, and it all came to fruition when the organization announced the firing of general manager Brad Treliving. Since then, there have been a ton of rumours swirling about the direction of the team and the future of both Auston Matthews and William Nylander.
However, on a recent episode of the Barn Burner podcast, Darren Dreger was asked about the organization’s end-of-season meetings and what he heard. The answer regarding Matthews’ and Nylander’s list of asks heading into the offseason is exactly what you’d want to hear as a Maple Leafs fan.
Matthews & Nylander Submit an Offseason Wishlist
On the podcast, Dreger talked about what he heard from the organization’s end-of-season meetings between the players, coaches, and front office. He said that both Matthews and Nylander asked for a few heavy, “dog”-type forwards up front and two puck-moving defencemen.
Here’s what Dreger had to say.
“What I was told by people I trust there, is that both of those guys, Nylander and Matthews, told both management and coaching that look, we believe in this team, but we think we have to add some players. We need a couple of dogs up front with some bite, who can eliminate the softness we have in certain areas up front, and we need two mobile defencemen.”
If this is true and Matthews and Nylander both expressed this, it does point to them returning to the organization next season, as long as the team actually tries to fill those asks. Especially now, after the hiring of John Chayka and Mats Sundin as the new front office duo.
If they want to keep their franchise players, they need to make them happy and bring in what was asked for. For the two puck-moving defencemen, one obvious option is Darren Raddysh if he hits the open market. They could also look at John Carlson or even Rasmus Andersson. Another route is a trade, or going with a third-pair puck mover and letting Oliver Ekman-Larsson handle more of that role higher up the lineup.
As for the “dogs” up front with some bite, there are a few options in free agency. A reunion with Michael Bunting makes some sense, given the chemistry he had with Matthews. There’s also Mason Marchment, Boone Jenner, A.J. Greer, Michael McCarron, Beck Malenstyn, and even Jeffrey Viel as potential fits.
It’s not every day you hear reports of the Maple Leafs’ top players asking for specific types of players to be added. Matthews and Nylander have sent a pretty clear message to the coaches, front office, and ownership group. If the team wants them to stay in Toronto for the rest of their contracts, and maybe even longer, they need to follow through. If not, this offseason could turn into something much bigger than just a retool.
Free Newsletter
Get Toronto Maple Leafs coverage delivered to your inbox
In-depth analysis, breaking news, and insider takes - free.
Subscribe Free →
