Maple Leafs thrive without Auston Matthews on the ice
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have a strong record of 42-20-2 when Auston Matthews is absent.
- Mitch Marner has significantly improved his performance during Matthews' time away from the lineup.
- These developments prompt discussions about Matthews' fit within the team despite his high caliber as a player.
In recent weeks, the Toronto Maple Leafs have seen significant success during Auston Matthews' injury absence. This performance has led to Mitch Marner stepping up and shining as a key player for the team. Historically, Matthews has missed very few games during the postseason throughout his nine-year tenure with the Leafs, with only two postseason games missed. This raises questions about the fit between Matthews, regarded as the team's best player, and the overall success of the team itself, especially when the statistics suggest that the Leafs perform exceptionally well without him. Despite the speculation surrounding a potential trade of Matthews, practical realities, including contractual obligations and the cautious nature of NHL executives in risk-averse markets, indicate that such a move is highly unlikely.