Whether you fall on the side of Mitch Marner or Maple Leafs fans who think his “sob story” about player safety and an unruly Leafs Nation is hogwash, with Marner officially out of the picture, the Maple Leafs face an inevitable and familiar dilemma: who will take over the role of scapegoat?
For years, Marner has been the target of frustration after each playoff disappointment, eventually leading to his saying goodbye in a very public exit and bitter split.
It’s only a matter of time before he’s no longer enemy No. 1 in Toronto. He’s moved on, getting his final words out, and the fans are reacting. Pretty soon, they will look for someone else to blame when the season isn’t perfect. The question now: who’s next?
Auston Matthews – Likely the Next Lightning Rod
If it weren’t for Marner, Auston Matthews would have repeatedly borne the brunt of backlash during playoff failures. The focus of the vitriol in Toronto has been so laser-focused on Marner that fans seem to overlook how much Matthews has also struggled in the postseason. Like Marner, Matthews’ lack of scoring in big games (four goals in his last 18 playoff games and nine in his last 29 games) has as much to do with why the Leafs haven’t advanced as anything else.
This summer, Matthews has been discussed because his standing as one of the top centers in the NHL has declined. He’s no longer a close second to Connor McDavid. To many, Matthews isn’t even in the top five. The scrutiny around Matthews’s big contract and his perceived inability to lead a deep run will make him a consistent target when things go south.
If he doesn’t have a bounce-back season, stay healthy, score goals when it counts, and take this team by the horns, he’ll be labeled a bad leader and too reliant on Marner.
William Nylander – The Star of the People
As one fan wrote on social media following the now infamous Marner interview, “Gotta love William Nylander. Guy just walks his dogs, never says no to a picture, takes the subway to work, and plays pond hockey with local kids. That’s my superstar winger.” Others have posted photos of Nylander taking the subway to a game among the fans, essentially trying to discount the narrative that Marner didn’t feel safe (as if those two things are even remotely related).
It’s excellent that Nylander doesn’t feel concerned, but how long will it last? Right now, he’s seen as a man of the people. Will fans…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Hockey Writers…