The NHL analyst establishes high expectations for Auston Matthews to compensate for Mitch Marner’s offensive numbers to the elite

Auston Matthews, and other members of the Maple Leafs “ Core Four ” were examined for an underperformance in the series of seven games against the Tour Panthers. Matthews had four points (1 goal), Mitch Marner added five points (1 goal), with William Nylander and John Tavares Tallying Six and two points respectively (statistics via Hockey-Reference).

The GM Brad Treliving, the director general of Maple Leafs, called for a “change of DNA”, after the elimination of Toronto of the NHL qualifying series after a defeat in the second round against the possible champions of the Stanley Cup, Florida Panthers. Treliving finally broke the experience of “Core Four” of the Leafs, by exchanging Mitch Marner at the Vegas Golden Knights in a successful agreement.

Former Nhler analyst Mike Johnson called the Toronto captain, Auston Matthews, to do better, even more after the release of Mitch Marner.

“…. I cannot overestimate this – Matthews must be one of the four best NHL players next year. He paid like that. He is quite talented to be this,” said Johnson.

Johnson added that the Leafs will have to fill the void left by Mitch Marner, who scored 102 points on 27 goals in the regular season, and appointed Captain Auston Matthews to compensate for the lost elite offensive after Marner’s departure.

“Where are they going to invent the goals? He’s the guy. There must be 20 to 30 additional goals on the stick of Auston Matthews next year,” added Johnson.

During his nine NHL seasons played so far, Auston Matthews at 375 goals, 296 assists in 588 games with Mitch Marner. During the absence of the Knights star, now Golden, Matthews has 26 goals and 30 assists in 41 games (by Statsmuse).

Johnson concluded by establishing extremely high expectations for the Leafs captain to compensate for the loss of Mitch Marner.

“He will have to be really good for the leafs to absorb the changes and the departure of Mitch Marner” concluded Johnson

Mystery injury limited leafs captain auston matthews by playing full potential during the NHL 2024-25 season season

Auston Matthews played during the regular season of 2024-25 with an uncompromising injury from which he had suffered since the start of the training camp. He even asked for treatment in Germany in mid-season and ended up playing only 67 games in the regular season.

The 27 -year -old captain spoke of his unknown injury during his end -of -season press conference. He had moments during the season when he felt good, but there were times when the triple winner of the Richard trophy did not feel well.

“… I am really convinced that I will be back 100% next season and it’s nothing for me to worry,” said Matthews

His 78 points of 33 goals and 45 assists won him in place n ° 30 in the overall table of points, with the co-membrans of “ Four ” Mitch Marner at n ° 5 with 102 points, William Nylander at n ° 18 with 84 points and John Tavares in n ° 34 with 74 points.