TORONTO (Jan. 31) — Finally, the media template.

I owe you one, Luke Fox. Not that I couldn’t count on you to offer the delusion that prevails through a large faction of media and fans here in the Big Smoke and — given the widespread reach of Sportsnet and TSN, each located in Toronto — the entire country. Many of whom still hold faith in Leafs “captain” Auston Matthews rising up to be noticed in the biggest of regular season and playoff games. I mean, what’s a decade here or there? Let’s give it time. Ultimately… surely… the true Auston will emerge. Which leads to an absurdity such as this:

Let’s pause and think about the above headline (which Fox motivated but probably did not write): In three increasingly lucrative contracts between 2018 and 2027, the Leafs will have paid Matthews a total of $122,526,250. I’ll spell that out for those numerically challenged: One–hundred and twenty two million, five–hundred and twenty six thousand, two–hundred and fifty dollars. With still $27 million of that to be coughed up over the next two seasons, the Maple Leafs have plummeted toward the Eastern Conference cellar in the National Hockey League. Ten points separates the club from a wild card playoff berth; a massive 22 points from defending its Atlantic Division title. From 2018–25, Auston Matthews participated in six Game 7 showdowns. He did not score a goal. He was apparently on the ice for the Leafs in Games 5 and 7 of the Florida playoff round last May — each 6–1 drubbings at Scotiabank Arena. Yet, unnoticeable. In every large, emotional encounter this season (Edmonton, Vegas, Colorado come immediately to mind), he’s been invisible. During Matthews’ illustrious playoff career, the Leafs have prevailed in two out of 11 rounds, never qualifying for the Conference final. And Luke Fox contends the hockey club must “prove itself” to the captain in order to retain his unparalleled services beyond 2028. Seriously.

Again, many thanks to Luke for providing the media template against which I’ve argued since the 2021 Leafs playoff collapse against Montreal: the complete unwillingess, among more than just Luke, to recognize what the eyes see, rather than what the heart desires. Or, evidently, what much of the fan base is finally convinced of. The Leafs are embarrassing themselves and the city this season primarily because No. 34 has vanished in every spotlight siuation. As he does, on cue, after mid–April each spring. Nothing has occurred since the puck–drop in October to convince a soul that Matthews gives a damn about winning or losing. Pulling on the jersey suffices. He still scores goals, but not as many as before… and nothing meaningful during the six–game losing streak that has eliminated playoff chatter around here. Yet, the ball is now in the court of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment to show Mr. October how valuable he remains to its cause. Wrote the disbelieving Fox in his Saturday “Quick Mix” column:

That two–years–out mark with Matthews (UFA 2028) is coming around this summer, and the underachieving Maple Leafs — currently 15th in the Eastern Conference — must gain clarity this off–season. Do we need to worry? No need to get alarmist here. Matthews has never indicated a desire to jump ship; the Maple Leafs have never indicated a willingness to trade their centrepiece. In fact, GM Brad Treliving was asked point–blank in December if Matthews had asked out. No. Yes, a roster rebuild is in in order, but a scorched–earth rebuild isn’t the play. Yet. Not while 34 is still in the city. Like (Quinn) Hughes, Matthews has the individual accolades. He’s seeking that elusive team success. Our sense is he’d prefer to win where he started this decade–long journey.

Yes. DECADE–LONG journey. Remember that.

Still, the Maple Leafs have a maximum 24 months to show the Great Auston they are worthy of his staunch leadership and playoff contributions. The underlying notion being “how could the Leafs even consider not re–signing Matthews in 2028?” Identical to the Chris Johnston argument prior to Auston signing his current, four–year pact. If that makes a smidgen of sense to any objective hockey observer, he or she needs a medical examination. The Leafs are what they are because Matthews is what he is. And, more significantly, isn’t: a big–game performer. Never in his career with the Maple Leafs. Where on hockey earth is a decade not considered sufficient evidence?

A progressive, mindful club would initiate change in half that time. Just not the Leafs. Not Brendan Shanahan. Not Kyle Dubas (until the end). And, now, apparently not Brad Treliving. The unanswered, ever–mysterious question encompasses a single word and syllable: Why… after all the years, do the Leafs still put their faith in this player?

The fans are fed up. Not all, but an ever–growing segment of those who worship the Leafs… and blindly worshipped Matthews until this season. A thread in the Leafs section of HFBoards recently turned up these replies:

Auston Matthews, come on down. You’re ths next contestant on Let’s Screw The Leafs Over and Refuse to Move (referring to a no–movement clause in his contract and how Mats Sundin and Mitch Marner stuck around).

You cannot tell me the media and fans have not begun to sour on him. A few years ago he walked on water, now he’s got critics and they’re getting progressively louder.

My offer still stands. If he needs a ride to the airport, I’m the man.

It’s unacceptable and the fact the organization tolerates his on again / off again effort says everything.

I want to see Matthews show emotion on the ice, not in a pre-game interview with [TSN’s] Mark Masters.

Why is John Tavares always available to the media, but this [player] is not? It’s part of the job of being the captain! Then, when His Royal Highness makes himself available, he says Friday [6–3 home loss to Vegas] was “fun”. Jesus Christ, after ten years, he still doesn’t get it. He never will.

I love watching him when he’s on. But let’s be honest. He’s not a gamer. He’s not a guy that goes harder when the pressure is on. He is what he is. I don’t think he’s the captain to take a team to the dance and win it. He is a good secondary player to a main guy like a [Nathan] MacKinnon.

The C on his chest stands for CUCK.

If you cannot fool the specators forever, how can you fool an apparent expert being paid to write about the Maple Leafs? That’s the question of the day. The answer lies in a form of brainwashing. Luke Fox is an asset to Sportsnet. He’s a bit flowry but, otherwise, an excellent writer… and a dogged reporter given how the network trusts him to cover large–scale NHL events. As it pertains to the Leafs, however, Luke is mostly blind. He writes for the same company that pays Leaf salaries and it has clouded his judgement through the years. Not that he’s alone, but rather because of the grand pulpit he’s been provided by the all–sports network and its website. Anyone that honestly thinks the Leafs need to prove something to Matthews — rather than the other way around — has lost his/her way. This is a player that will never return regular–season value when it matters. He has the size, the skating ability… and, clearly, the shot. But, that important place between his ribs is vacant. It always has been.

He’s the Tin Man of the Maple Leafs.

The sooner the club allows him to go elsewhere, the quicker the misery will subside.

EMAIL: HOWARDLBERGER@GMAIL.COM