Maple Leafs Add Ace In The Hole For Auston Matthews Extension

Maple Leafs Add Coyotes Legend To Front Office

The Maple Leafs just tried to sneak one past us. New Toronto GM Brad Treliving is adding Arizona Coyotes legend Shane Doan to his front office. The significance, you may ask? Auston Matthews grew up in Arizona. He also needs a new contract as he’s a free agent in 2024. All signs point to Doan being one of AM34’s favorite players growing up. So wouldn’t it help having him in the room when you’re negotiating an extension? ESPN’s Kevin Weekes broke the hire on Twitter:

**Breaking News **
I’m told @MapleLeafs are naming Shane Doan as an Assistant to Treliving. @espn @NHL @NHLNetwork @TSNHockey @DKSportsbook #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/z7GhkrldKw

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 8, 2023

Toronto is trying to be slick here. I’m sure they’re gonna try and force feed us some reason about how Treliving and Doan knew each other from way back when. But I think most of the hockey world should see right through it. But, in all honesty, it’s smart. You can’t make a list of the top 5 players in hockey and not include Matthews. If he hypothetically walks as a free agent, the Leafs would surely have to tear it all down and start over again. I have a feel that Treliving knows that Doan will say all the right words to Auston and make his love story with Toronto continue.

Underrated Legend

If Doan played somewhere other than the Coyotes, than perhaps he would get some more recognition. However, at this point, the guy probably has Arizona in his DNA at this point. He stayed with the team his whole career, even when they made the move from Winnipeg to Phoenix in 1996. He was good for at least 50-60 points every year and even won a King Clancy Trophy and Messier Leadership Award in consecutive seasons.

In his playing days, he was one of the reasons Gary Bettman’s Arizona experiment initially went to plan. They even came pretty close to a Cup in 2012. However, it was the LA Kings that ruined their chances in the Western Conference Finals. The grass has not become any greener in the post-Doan era. For reference, the Coyotes have not come even close to the playoffs since his retirement in 2017. You’d have to imagine that a young Auston Matthews tuned into almost every game to watch Doan play.

Steve Dangle is leaving Sportsnet

The Toronto Maple Leafs just made an under-the-radar acquisition to their front office. Whether it’s during the summer or the upcoming season, having Shane Doan in the building for the Auston Matthews contract talks could work wonders.

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