While Keith Pelley has emphasized that there is no preconceived direction, as Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment reshapes the Toronto Maple Leafs' front office, the franchise's future may ultimately hinge less on incoming executives and more on a single, defining voice.
Before any major hire is finalized, the perspective of Auston Matthews, the team's captain and cornerstone, looms largest. His vision for the club's direction is poised to have a monumental impact before Pelley and his bosses at MLSE even narrow down their options.
The intimate details of any conversations between Pelley and Matthews will likely never be known, but over the next few weeks, it will be the biggest driving factor in determining the Leafs' next steps.
Pelley acknowledged that the upcoming hire(s) will be the most important act as president of MLSE. Matthews' thoughts on the many issues surrounding the team will be most influential on how Pelley proceeds.
Leafs' Future Hinges on Matthews' Perspective
Some frank discussions are sure to be had between Pelley and Matthews over the upcoming weeks. The MLSE president gave an "everything is on the table" vibe during his recent media availability, but rest assured, Matthews will want a more specific vision of Pelley's plan. Specifically, what will the organization's structure be? Will there be multiple hires, a president, a GM, and a new coach?
Matthews will no doubt influence those decisions. First, and foremost, does he want to remain in Toronto? Whether he wants to stay or go will be of utmost importance in deciding on a retool or a rebuild. If he decides to stay, Matthews' feedback on the different coaches and general managers (an increasingly large number) he has had during his tenure will impact Pelley's hiring decisions.
With regards to the past two seasons, what does Matthews feel went wrong, going from division champs to missing the playoffs? Does he like playing for Berube or does he feel his offensive game has been stifled? Does he prefer a new coach that can help him regain his 60-goal-plus form without sacrificing his strong defensive play?
Matthews has also yet to comment on the season-ending knee-on-knee hit he received from Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas. How he feels about his teammates' non-response in the moment, and their attempt to make up for it in later games, will be a factor in his decision to stay in Toronto or go.
In the end, much of the decision-making about where the Maple Leafs franchise goes from here will happen behind the scenes in the coming months, and, like it or not, Matthews will be the most important voice in deciding the immediate future of the organization.