The Toronto Maple Leafs and their captain, Auston Matthews, are setting their sights on the upcoming season with unwavering focus, despite the notable absence of Mitch Marner. Marner's departure to the Vegas Golden Knights through a sign-and-trade marks the end of an era for the Leafs, who must now navigate a new landscape without one of their core players.
Matthews acknowledged the significance of Marner's departure, recognizing his contributions both on and off the ice. "We'll miss him," Matthews said. "He's a great friend, great teammate. That's kind of the business side of it that's tough, but obviously I wish him nothing but the best. We'll just keep it moving". William Nylander, another key member of the team, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Marner's role in team camaraderie and his exceptional talent. "It's tough seeing him go, but I'm so happy for him and his family," Nylander said. "He got to pick where he went, so, in that aspect, I'm happy for him. We're going to miss him a lot but that's just the business of the sport. That's the way it is. So we've got to regroup as a team and figure out a way to keep winning games".
The challenge now lies in adapting to Marner's absence and finding new ways to generate offense. Marner's playmaking abilities and chemistry with Matthews have been a crucial part of the Leafs' attack for years. Over the past three seasons, Marner assisted on 50% of Auston Matthews' goals. However, Matthews has shown he can produce even without Marner. In the games Matthews has played without Marner, he has recorded 26 goals and 30 assists in 41 games.
Several strategies are being considered to fill the void left by Marner. General Manager Brad Treliving has been proactive in reshaping the forward group, adding players like Matias Maccelli, Nicholas Roy, Dakota Joshua, and Michael Pezzetta. These additions aim to create a more balanced and versatile roster, where multiple players can contribute offensively. It also now means that Toronto has much more flexibility than before. Coach Craig Berube may also implement a new system that emphasizes a strong forecheck and balanced scoring across all four lines.
One potential solution involves promoting young talent from within the organization. Analyst Steven Ellis suggested that Toronto should explore whether pairing Easton Cowan with Auston Matthews could help the franchise achieve its objectives. Nylander is ready to do whatever the Leafs ask.
Despite the changes, Matthews remains optimistic about the team's prospects. "Feeling good (about next season)," Matthews said. "A lot of changes, but excited about the guys we brought in, excited about the guys that we have. I know we have a great team and great group of guys in the locker room...Looking forward to getting started". He also stressed the importance of maintaining a focused mindset and being prepared to compete from the start of training camp. "Every year going into it, you want to be focused, want to be ready to compete from the get-go with camp and everything," Matthews said. "We had a lot of changes, but I don't think the mindset really changes. You have to be focused, have to be willing to do whatever it takes to win. It's a hard league to win in. For us, it's not getting too far ahead of ourselves, staying in the moment".
As the Maple Leafs embark on this new chapter, the focus remains on the ultimate goal of winning. With Matthews leading the charge and a revamped supporting cast, the team is determined to overcome the challenges and compete for the Stanley Cup.
