And it’s not because they’re honouring the great Joe Bowen either.
Well, it’s time to find out if the message was received.
Let’s call a spade a spade: A good chunk of the fan base has started to wonder if this is just the new norm for Auston Matthews. For the majority of his 26 outings to-date this season, the 28-year-old centre has lacked the pop and explosiveness that once made him one of the most feared players in the entire National Hockey League. From injuries to no Mitch Marner, there’s a myriad of theories out there as to what’s truly going on with this guy.
Any way you slice it, the Leafs need more from their captain. Period.
Simply put, if Auston Matthews continues to perform like a second line centre moving forward, this organization’s screwed —both short-term and long-term. Bottom line: He needs to pick up his play.
Truthfully, the fact that no one has the slightest clue what’s going on behind the scenes certainly isn’t helping matters.
Again, it’s totally up to him and the team what they want to reveal, but it doesn’t take someone with a PHD to acknowledge that this isn’t the same guy who once scored 69 times in 81 games. If missing the net by 62 feet three times a game isn’t a dead giveaway that something’s going on, then I don’t what to tell you. Matthews isn’t controlling the game like he once did, and honestly, regardless of the numbers someone can try and pull up, it’s tough to dispute that.
Needless to say, it’s starting to get very noisy, too. Par for the course, the team has continued to try and protect him at all costs. To that point, I didn’t think it was a good look for Matthews not to speak to the media following the loss to the Oilers. You’re the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and unfortunately, sometimes that means answering the bell when the going gets tough. It’s part of the job.
At any rate, it will be fascinating to monitor this story as the season develops. Due to their terrible start, this team finds itself in a very precarious position with the month of January just around the corner. It’s put up or shut up time. It’s not like the season ends tomorrow and Matthews can jump on a bird back home, there’s 51 games left. The storm’s just beginning.