When it comes to the Toronto Maple Leafs fan base they're truly a glutton for punishment. With so much hope each season and with all the talent, they fail to get past the first round of the playoffs since the 2004 series vs the Ottawa Senators.
The Leafs did get some good news today when it was confirmed that Leafs Nation will host the 2024 NHL All-Star Game. However, while Leafs fans were hyped for that news, Maple Leafs Hockey Analyst, former cup champion and current NHL Network host would give Leafs fans some disappointing news when he shared his thoughts that the All-Star game will be part of Auston Matthews and William Nylander's farewell tour in Toronto.
NHL Analyst Mike Rupp would remind Leafs fans that both Matthews and Nylander's contracts are expiring after the 2023-24 season and both would be free to sign where ever they choose. Both would get plenty of offers if they became free agents. Especially Matthews, who's hinted that he'd like to play for Arizona, his hometown team.
Rupp would also mention how accurate he's been on previous predictions and feels if the Leafs don't have any playoff success this season or next, both these top stars will likely be leaving Toronto and their chance of winning is closed.
This is definitely some news that Leafs fans don't want to think about and with Leafs GM Kyle Dubas believed to be in the hot seat, if the Leafs don't succeed Dubas better do everything to help the Leafs or he too will likely be gone even sooner than Matthews or Nylander.
