The Toronto Maple Leafs are navigating some stormy seas, and it looks like a major shake-up might be on the horizon. Veteran hockey analyst Howard Berger has stirred the pot with a bold prediction: a full-scale organizational overhaul is looming for the Leafs in the offseason.
Berger took to Twitter to drop this bombshell, suggesting that Auston Matthews, GM Brad Treliving, and head coach Craig Berube might not be wearing the blue and white next season. "I don't say this with any joy, but mark my words: None of these three will be back with the #Leafs next season," Berger tweeted, alongside a photo from Matthews' captain announcement ceremony. It's a strong statement that has fans buzzing.
Currently, the Leafs are sitting at 15th in the Eastern Conference, sporting a 27-27-11 record. They're 10 points shy of a playoff spot with about 17 games left in the season.
It's been a rough stretch, with Toronto languishing at the bottom of the Atlantic Division and enduring an eight-game losing streak since the Olympic break. For the first time since drafting Matthews in 2016, the Leafs turned into sellers at the trade deadline, opting to trade players for draft picks instead of gearing up for a playoff run.
If the trajectory doesn't change, this will be their first playoff miss since the 2015-16 season.
Auston Matthews, the team's captain, hasn't shied away from addressing the team's struggles. He was candid with reporters, expressing his frustration with their recent performances.
"Just bad, just fairly embarrassing to be honest with you. We need to have more pride in our play no matter where we're at, no matter what the situation is," Matthews remarked.
Discussing the team's decision to sell at the deadline, Matthews acknowledged the tough pill they have to swallow. "It's not ideal and it's not fun.
It's never fun losing and being in this position, this situation, but you have to take responsibility. It's obviously on the players and you kind of lay in the bed you make," he admitted.
Despite the setbacks, Matthews remains committed to the fans and the remainder of the season. "We owe it to the fans that pay money to come watch us play, to go out there and put forth a good effort," he emphasized.
This season, Matthews has been a key contributor with 26 goals and 52 points in 59 games, even after missing five games in November due to injury. As the Leafs face an uncertain future, one thing is clear: the road ahead will be pivotal for the franchise.