The Toronto Maple Leafs winning the NHL Draft lottery may not influence Auston Matthews' future with the team, according to insider Elliotte Friedman. His insights suggest that the lottery win does not guarantee Matthews' retention.
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Maple Leafs winning lottery doesn't mean what you might think for Auston Matthews originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
On paper, it seems like the Toronto Maple Leafs winning the NHL Draft lottery should help keep Auston Matthews around.
It might not work like that, though.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said on his newest 32 Thoughts podcast that he doesn't think it actually changes anything for Matthews.
The upcoming plan for the Leafs captain remains the same: Meet with the front office and hear the plan.
The key will be Matthews' belief in whether the new leadership in Toronto can actually execute the plan.
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The reality is that Matthews is in his prime and has two years left on his current contract. He isn't necessarily going to be around to see the full fruits of this No. 1 pick unless he ends up on another contract extension, and that'll be what he has to decide.
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the lottery win does not significantly change Auston Matthews' situation with the team.
Elliotte Friedman stated on his podcast that he doesn't believe the Maple Leafs winning the lottery will impact Auston Matthews' future.
While winning the lottery seems beneficial, it may not lead to retaining key players like Auston Matthews, as suggested by NHL insiders.
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If Matthews doesn't want to extend in Toronto, then a teenage first overall pick, even Gavin McKenna, only can help so much.
"This player alone is not going to completely change the fortunes of the franchise, although it will help," Friedman said.
Matthews might stay, and he might go, but it still seems very much in flux.