The Toronto Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews have reaffirmed their commitment to each other
Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman, when asked about the Toronto Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews, and if their long-term commitment to each other is still in a good spot with all the struggles that have gone in Toronto this year.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
“But you know, first of all, nothing has changed. There was a conversation this week between the Maple Leafs and Matthews’ representation, and they just asked, ‘Is anything here different with the way that this season is gone? Is there any reason for the Maple Leafs to believe that Matthews wouldn’t want to return for 26-27 or for Matthews to believe that the Maple Leafs wouldn’t want to return for 26-27?
And both sides reaffirm their commitment to each other. So I know it’s a big question that you just asked, but the answer is, no change. Matthews with them and the Maple Leafs with Matthews.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have started talking to teams to see if there is any interest in their players
Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman, when asked about the Toronto Maple Leafs and what they could be looking to do ahead of the NHL trade deadline.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Ron MacLean:”That said, what’s Toronto going to do here?
Friedman: “Now, something is different. Look, everybody sees the standings. Everybody sees that the Maple Leafs are in a position they didn’t expect to be in. And one thing they have done this week is begun the process of calling around to the league and seeing what’s available to them. And being in a position where they might have to consider some things that they didn’t expect to consider.
Now, the key thing I heard is they haven’t discussed, like, anything that anyone would concern would, would call extraordinary or huge or stunning. I think that some of the early conversations are about things that you would expect.
But they have begun the conversations around the league of, ‘What do you think of our roster? What kind of, what kind of things would you be interested in?’ But I don’t think it would be anything that anyone right now would consider earth-shattering or anything.
MacLean: “I was asking you, Elliotte, Justin Bourne, and you were discussing, Justin wrote about it, the fact the Leafs traded for Brandon Carlo and had a top first-round pick given to Boston, but top five protected. In other words, if they fall to 28th or lower. They have a shot at the lottery. They have a shot at some of these top guys that Jason Bukala says, top six guys are all really good. Could change your franchise. So do you think that’s a factor here?
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Friedman: “I just think that where they are is the biggest, is the biggest thing. Like the gap is opening up in the East. And you, you know, Bill Parcells’ old line, you are what your record says you are.”
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