The Toronto Maple Leafs have a rich history of iconic players and unforgettable moments. Among them is the franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer, Mats Sundin, whose record of 420 goals has stood for over a decade. However, Auston Matthews is quickly closing in on that milestone, and the Maple Leafs’ star forward could surpass Sundin’s record as soon as this season. Interestingly, Sundin not only embraces this possibility but also believes that Matthews has the potential to achieve even more.
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This post explores Matthews’ rise in the franchise goal-scoring ranks and Sundin’s thoughts on the young star’s potential.
Auston Matthews Poised to Break the Franchise Goal Record
If you haven’t checked the Maple Leafs’ all-time goal-scoring leaders in a while, you might be surprised by how close Matthews is to the top. Last season, he added 69 goals to his already impressive tally, bringing him to third place in franchise history with 368 goals. Only Darryl Sittler (389 goals) and Sundin (420 goals) sit ahead of him.
At just 27 years old, Matthews is in his prime, and if he has another strong season, he will almost certainly surpass both Sittler and Sundin. Matthews’ consistency, goal-scoring, and ability to dominate games have made him the best goal-scorer in franchise history despite not yet holding the official title.
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If Matthews can maintain his current pace, he could surpass Sundin’s record just after midseason. In a league where goals are harder to come by, he has already shown that he can produce elite numbers year after year. His doing this while still in his 20s suggests that he will not just break Sundin’s record but potentially set a mark that could stand for decades.
Mats Sundin’s Thoughts on Matthews and the Record
While some former players might hesitate to see their records broken, Sundin has supported Matthews. In a recent interview (seen below), he acknowledged that breaking the record is a natural progression for the Maple Leafs and Matthews. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be,” Sundin remarked, emphasizing that records are meant to be broken by the next generation of stars.
Sundin reflected fondly on his 13-year career with the Maple Leafs, calling it the highlight of his professional life. However, he believes that individual…
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