The Importance of Auston Matthews to the Toronto Maple Leafs

The news of forward Auston Mathews signing an extension has Toronto Maple Leafs fans excited for the next four years.

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has made this signing clear that Auston Matthews’ contract, which is for four years at 13.25 million a year, was a top priority since he took over the job.

Mission accomplished.

Auston Matthews believes in this team’s future and with him in the fold, a serious run at the Stanley Cup is likely.

The Leafs have now signed their most important player and can move on to securing William Nylander’s future.

How will Auston Mathews fare with the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Mathews started his career as a Maple Leaf and perhaps can now play his whole career in Toronto.

The good part of Auston Mathews staying with the Leafs is the added security of having one of the best players in the world, not to mention attracting other players of all-star caliber to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a run at the cup.

Mathews importance in general brings a broad sense of gameplay that dwells with his teammates that he complements really well and brings the attitude that reflects his leadership with the other players on the team.

Indeed, it is not only his high level of play that makes Matthews so important, it’s his dedication to his craft, the leadership he brings, and the example he sets.

In my opinion, Auston Mathews will give the Toronto Maple Leafs a more productive life to the team itself and help the Leafs bring home a Stanley Cup.   It isn’t just his on-ice performance though, it’s that having a player of this quality trickles down to the other players on the team and makes everyone better.

This is why signing Matthews was the most important job for the Leafs new GM.

For the Toronto Maple Leafs, this is an opportunity to build on what they’ve accomplished so far and finally get it right. Of course the Leafs would have wanted better results over the last seven seasons, but the experience they’ve gathered will no doubt help them in them going forth.

By retaining Auston Matthews, they can take that experience to the next level, and they won’t have to start over.

The best thing to look forward to is how the Toronto Maple Leafs will adapt with its new lineup this upcoming fall and produce during the season that will define the team.