The Toronto Maple Leafs are having a tough season. Now, insider Paul Bissonnette is making a strong claim about the team’s future: Auston Matthews has to stay.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost seven games in a row, earning just two points during that stretch. Their last win came on February 4 against the Edmonton Oilers, before the Olympic break.
READ MORE: Auston Matthews opens up about the Maple Leafs’ season
Season is over
Fans already consider the season to be over, with the Leafs currently sitting eleven points out of a playoff spot. Instead, attention has shifted toward next season and what the future might look like in Toronto. On the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, hosts Paul Bissonnette and Ryan Whitney discussed how the Leafs should approach their future.
Paul Bissonnette points out detail
Bissonnette pointed to one specific factor: Auston Matthews.
“The Matthews situation is interesting. Remember when he struggled offensively this year. Everybody was ragging on him. He’s playing against top lines night in and night out. He starts a lot of defensive-zone draws against them. They can’t defend, so if they lose the draw he’s spending the whole shift in the zone. However you want to look at it, there’s just a disconnect, and it’s not the type of group you feel proud watching. Whoever you want to put the blame on, I’m not going to give it to Auston Matthews. I’m going to beg him to stay, because if he doesn’t, it’s a rebuild,” Bissonnette said on the podcast.
Next, the Maple Leafs will face the Montreal Canadiens.
You can watch the video below.
READ MORE: Auston Matthews texted Matthew Tkachuk every night at the Olympics
