Auston Matthews is determined to guide the Toronto Maple Leafs to calmer waters in the upcoming NHL season. That includes rallying the troops after the dramatic departure of Mitch Marner, who left the team after a decade in the Six.

It’s been a turbulent summer, but the worst is over. Or so the Maple Leafs hope. Captain Matthews knows his teammates are counting on him to lead the way. And he wouldn’t want it any other way.

On that note, Matthews made his thoughts clear on the noise surrounding Marner‘s exit and whether it affected the players during the past NHL season. With a pointed comment, the captain in Hogtown put an end to the conversation—at least from his standpoint.

Matthews’ statement

“I don’t think it was really that much of a distraction last year to be honest,” Auston Mat

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