NHL coach calls out the Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are having a poor start to the season relative to the expectations that have been placed on the shoulders of this team, and it seems that other teams around the National Hockey League are starting to take notice.

The problems for the Maple Leafs start at the very top as well with even star forward and Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews being criticized for his performance this season in spite of having 6 goals and 3 assists for 9 points in the first 12 games of the season and a plus minus rating of +6. It is one thing to hear criticism from fans and pundits, but it is another matter entirely when those comments come from people actively working in the NHL.

In a recent article for the Toronto Sun, controversial Toronto columnist Steve Simmons published comments from an unnamed NHL coach critical of Matthews.

"Something is off with 34," said the coach as per Simmons.

The coach however did not limit his criticisms to the organization's top star and was critical of the Leafs as a whole for how they have played thus far this season.

"Something is off with that team," he said. "They’re playing a strange game right now. Far different than last season."

Hard to argue the point when the Maple Leafs currently find themselves tied with the Buffalo Sabres for last place in the NHL's Atlantic Division.