Although the Toronto Maple Leafs have a 2-1 lead in the series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, speculations abound regarding the team's leadership. Despite the presence of a roster composed of many talented players, it is almost incomprehensible that the Leafs have not been able to advance past the first round of the playoffs since the 2003-2004 season.
Among the players who will need to step up their efforts is Auston Matthews. Although he has collected points, some experts, such as Tony Marinaro, doubt his real motivation to win.
According to a report by Médérick Lefebvre on the Danslescoulisses.com website, during his appearance on BPM Sports, Marinaro said he was not encouraged by Auston Matthews' body language, the Leafs' number 34, when he was sitting on the team bench.
It's hard to know if Auston Matthews already has his mind elsewhere than Toronto, but it is true that he is from Arizona and his contract will expire at the end of next season. Some rumors have already linked him to the Arizona Coyotes, and it is true that the media pressure there is less intense than in Toronto.
If the Maple Leafs want to reach the next level, Auston Matthews' contribution will indeed be crucial. If the team fails to achieve success in the playoffs, media and fan pressure could become unbearable, which could encourage Matthews to consider other options, such as testing the free agent market next summer.
