The Toronto Maple Leafs won the NHL Draft lottery, raising questions about Auston Matthews' future in Toronto. This victory provides a crucial opportunity for the franchise amid ongoing criticism and uncertainty.
Key points
Toronto Maple Leafs won the NHL Draft lottery
Auston Matthews' future in Toronto is uncertain
The win provides hope amid criticism of management
Maple Leafs may select top prospect McKenna
John ChaykaMcKennaToronto Maple LeafsAuston Matthews
The Toronto Maple Leafs' draft lottery win on Tuesday couldn't have come at a better time, with the franchise battling questions about star Auston Matthews' future and criticism over the hire of general manager John Chayka.
Like the Dallas Mavericks' selection of Cooper Flagg over in the NBA last year after trading Luka Doncic, the No. 1 pick gives Maple Leafs fans something to hold onto just when it looked like the team could be headed down a dark path.
For Matthews, whose status in Toronto was up in the air entering the lottery, the opportunity to play alongside McKenna could be a game-changer.
Here's a look at what the Maple Leafs' lottery win means for Matthews.
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As of earlier in the week, Matthews' future with the Maple Leafs was considered to be up in the air.
Matthews "still isn't sure if he'll be back in Toronto in the fall," The Athletic's Chris Johnston reported, adding that the former No. 1 pick "wants to see a roster that has been meaningfully upgraded" after missing the playoffs.
Chayka, meanwhile, revealed plans to sit down with Matthews, but he made it clear he wants his star to stay. "Auston's the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, this is his team," Chayka told reporters at his introductory press conference.
If Matthews is looking for an upgraded roster, the lottery win could certainly help. It wouldn't be fair to expect McKenna to step in and put the Maple Leafs right back where they were a year or two ago, but the 18-year-old has the tools to be a franchise centerpiece and would give Matthews, who still has a long career ahead of him, a potential star to play alongside long-term.
The question, then, is whether Matthews feels he has the patience to wait out McKenna's development, or the confidence in the Maple Leafs' new front office to upgrade the team's defensive issues and other weaknesses. Macklin Celebrini proved that phenoms can turn into world-class players as teenagers, but with no first-round picks over the next two years, the Maple Leafs will likely have to make additional moves to dig out of the hole they found themselves in this season.
Here's what you need to know about Matthews' contract in Toronto.
Matthews has two years remaining on his contract at $13.25 million per year.
The former MVP isn't in a position to just leave in free agency at this point, as he is two years away from getting the opportunity, but his potential free agency is close enough that he can use it as leverage and try to force a trade by telling the Maple Leafs he doesn't plan to re-sign.
Gavin McKenna's potential fit with Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs have made it clear they aren't interested in a total rebuild, and the addition of McKenna, rather than picking No. 5 or losing their first-round pick entirely, certainly gives Toronto a clearer path back to contention.
McKenna can bring some instant energy to one of the NHL's oldest rosters, and he can reinvigorate a fan base that couldn't be blamed for feeling down and out before the lottery.
On the ice, playing on a team that has more talent than a typical top-of-the-draft organization should benefit McKenna. He won't be asked to do too much, in all likelihood, though a Matthews departure would open up more of an opportunity for him to take on a role as an offensive focal point.
McKenna is a gifted offensive player who has no problem passing and should be able to set the table for Matthews and other offensive standouts from day one, if Matthews decides to stay. That unselfishness is part of what makes McKenna such a "can't-miss" prospect, and it would be especially helpful on a team that doesn't necessarily need a savior right now.
The Maple Leafs will still need defensive help after struggling on that front this season, and they will likely have to look elsewhere to get it. While McKenna can improve on that end, asking an 18-year-old to fix your defensive issues would be a misstep, and that could be something Matthews brings up when he meets with Chayka and the front office.
