Maple Leafs get Auston Matthews involved in latest trade chatter

We all knew it was coming, but now Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is ready to fill the void left by the departure of Mitch Marner in Toronto. On Tuesday morning right before the free-agent market opened in the NHL, former Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Mitch Marner officially became a member of the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign and trade. Toronto moved Marner to Vegas in exchange for forward Nicolas Roy. As part of the deal, Marner then signed an eight-year, $96 million contract that will keep him in Vegas through the 2032-33 season.

The focus now shifts to try to replace Marner and everyone, including David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, believes Treliving will go the trade route with one specific target in mind: a winger who can slot on the right side of Auston Matthews.”

“Also on the Leafs, they will continue to peruse the trade market for a top-six winger, preferably someone who can slot on the right side of Auston Matthews.”

I can’t say how much the Maple Leafs will involve Matthews in their trade approach, but you have to believe that his input will be crucial in a transaction to bring in his top linemate.

It’s hard to decode how Matthews has been feeling with the official departure of Marner to Vegas. When the signing announcement was made, Matthews only reposted in his Instagram stories what the Maple Leafs’ social media team had previously shared in a post thanking Marner.

Perhaps Matthews is already focused on finding his new winger and not wanting to look back.