TSN: Chris Johnston on Insider Trading says the Toronto Maple Leafs camp and Auston Matthews have been in talks since Kyle Dubas was let go a few weeks ago.
“Obviously no progress has been made at this point in time. They are in vigorous discussions about what contract he can sign on the 1st of July but I don’t think introducing a new general manager at this point in time is going to derail that.
Matthews wanted to be in Toronto. He’s been consistent about it. This is how the organization feels. And I think once that new general manager is appointed, those conversations will move quickly.”
TSN: Chris Johnston on TSN Radio 1050 yesterday on Austin Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
** Copy NHLRumors.com
Host: “Aside from the decisions Brendan Shanahan has to make with the general manager and then the GM with the coach, they have decisions they have to make about the players on this team.
Did you give any reference to the (Auston) Matthews camp? Whether or not an extension will still be in the works is before July 1st, after July 1st or even if a consideration for Maple Leaf is still in place.
Johnston: “Well, I definitely know he wants to be a Maple Leaf. That hasn’t changed at all, but there are still a lot of details to be filled in about what the teams look like.
Obviously this is the general manager. I think once the general manager is hired, I think it won’t be long before that person gets on a plane and flies to Arizona and meets with Auston Matthews. start this process.
It seems to me that there is not much time to get everything done by the July 1st date. I don’t know if this is a big problem. This does not mean that July 10th cannot happen. I mean, it’s hard to know what that process looks like until we know when the Leafs finish their front office and what that looks like and we really start those conversations.
The truth is, there’s clearly a lot of work Brandon Shanahan is doing at the highest level in the organization to fill the GM role and front office knowledge. I don’t think there is, and you have the scouts and the other members, more junior members in the front office getting ready for the project. I don’t think there’s much else going on.
The biggest decisions can’t be made until you have someone in the seat. So, I guess that’s where they’re at. I mean, there’s a lot you can do with Auston Matthews, and maybe William Nylander, who’s waiting for a possible extension this summer or maybe even free agents.
I think a lot of the pending UFAs are kind of a hold pattern. Waiting to see what direction the organization will take.