Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost one of its main core members last offseason when Mitch Marner went to the Vegas Golden Knights. Well, Marner is going to be heading to the playoffs this season most likely with Vegas.
As for Toronto, they are currently in eighth place in the Atlantic Division with a 27-24-9 record with 63 points in 60 games played. Time is running out on the Maple Leafs chances to get back to the playoffs. If they do miss the playoffs, many are wondering if the championship window is closed.
It could already be closed however. On Friday March 6, the NHL trade deadline will occur. The Maple Leafs have to decide if they are going to be buyers or sellers. If they are going to be sellers, there are also going to be questions about the future of William Nylander and Auston Matthews with the franchise as well.
NHL Analyst Believes That the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Trade Auston Matthews and William Nylander
Maple Leafs reporter Matthew Berger believes that it could very well be time to end the Matthews and Nylander era in Toronto and that both should be traded when the offseason arrives. Berger said, "Neither Matthews nor Nylander could lead an army of ants to syrup.
Barring a miracle, Doug Gilmour–like trade that turns around the franchise, it will require more than half–a–decade to undo and repair the damage from the Brendan Shanahan–Kyle Dubas administration. A good start would be to unload whichever players can be moved before next Friday. Try to regain some draft capital. Then, after the season, take the initiative and tell Matthews and Nylander — unequivocally, to their faces — that the franchise no–longer wants them. It’s been a fruitless decade. Both need to waive their contract privileges and accept a trade.
Only then will the Leafs be in position to arrest their slide.
It matters not who owns, manages or coaches the club.
Recognize and acknowledge, if a frustrated fan, that no other course of action will suffice."
These are some very harsh words from Berger about Matthews and Nylander. The problems go way deeper than them. However, every core reaches its ceiling at some point. Toronto will be trading some players on Friday no doubt. There is also no doubt that Matthews and Nylander trade rumors are going to surface this summer.
After the 2025-26 season, Auston will have two years remaining on his contract. This season, he has played in 54 games and has scored 26 goals and has recorded 25 assists. His plus/minus rating is 0. As for William, his contract will not expire until after the 2031-2032 season. In 43 games played, he has scored 19 goals and has recorded 36 assists, along with a plus/minus rating of 0.
Toronto will be facing the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night. If the Maple Leafs were to lose again at home like they did on Saturday night 5-2 against the Ottawa Senators, then it may be time for this franchise to start all over.