Can Matthews Lure Doughty to the Toronto Maple Leafs

At the all star game, Auston Matthews attempted to recruit Drew Doughty to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

During the all star game festivities in Tampa Bay, Florida, Matthews tried to recruit Doughty to Toronto. He skated up to Doughty and asked him if he could see himself in blue and white. Doughty laughed at Matthews’ recruitment strategy and skated off.

Matthews has clearly seen the Doughty rumors and was trying to do his best to lure one of the best defenseman in the world to the city of Toronto.

Drew Doughty

Doughty, a native of London, Ontario was selected second overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings. In his tenure with the Kings, he has brought home two Stanley Cups and a James Norris Memorial Trophy. In addition, he has been regarded as one of the best defenseman in the league, and of all-time.

So far this season, Doughty is having his best season in the NHL. Currently, Doughty posts 7 goals and 28 assists in 49 games. Also, he continues to be a stellar power-play quarterback and is on pace to grab 18 to 19 PP assists this season.

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In terms of his defense, he consistently posts a corsi-for percentage over 50%. This season, Doughty has a higher corsi-for percentage than all of the Toronto Maple Leafs defensive core.

Aside from his time with the Kings, he has been very pivotal in Hockey Canada’s success on the international stage. He has helped Canada bring home the gold in the 2007 Super Series, 2008 World Juniors, 2010 Olympics, 2014 Olympics and the 2016 World Cup Of Hockey. In 49 games, while representing Canada, he has tallied 7 goals and 21 assists.

Does Doughty Want To Come To The Toronto Maple Leafs?

In a June 15, 2017 interview with Leafs Lunch on TSN 1050, Doughty shared that he has some hesitations around coming back to Toronto full-time.

"“We would all want to play here,” Doughty said of players from the Southern Ontario region, “especially with the team, the way they’re getting better and stuff like that, but I think it always comes down to how hard it would be to live in a city being that big of a celebrity. I’m spoiled in L.A. where I walk anywhere I want and not one person’s going to recognize me.“If, say I did for some reason play for the Leafs, I don’t know if I could get used to that or not. I think that’s the problem, why guys don’t sign here.”"

It would be difficult for Lou Lamoriello and Mike Babcock to keep Doughty out of the spotlight. If Lamoriello truly wants Doughty, he’ll likely have to over-pay to change Doughty’s mind.

Yes Doughty, would like to continue his successful career and Toronto would be a great place to do so. Yet, players in Toronto face the same attention as actors and actresses in Los Angeles. If Doughty truly hates the spotlight, there is nothing Matthews can do to talk him into coming to Toronto. The only motivation for Doughty would involve a suitcase of Lamoriello’s gold.

Does Doughty Make Sense?

My colleague, James Tanner, wrote a post on Doughty back in December. Tanner mentioned that he would “gladly pay Doughty whatever he wants”.

I do agree that Doughty would be an extremely valuable asset to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Although, his price tag scares me. He’ll command top billing as he has hesitations of being in the spotlight. If Doughty truly doesn’t want to be in Toronto due to the attention, the Toronto Maple Leafs might have to part with Mitch Marner or William Nylander if they truly want Doughty.

Next: Leafs Should Sell at the Deadline

Personally, I don’t think Doughty in Toronto is realistic. I think the Kings, Chicago Blackhawks or the Pittsburgh Penguins are more realistic landing spots for the stellar defenseman.

statistics from www.hockey-reference.com