TORONTO -- Auston Matthews came to Toronto Maple Leafs training camp last month with a message.

"I will answer questions about Mitch Marner for two more weeks," the Maple Leafs captain said on Sept. 22. "After that, it's over."

That deadline has come and gone.

Much like the Marner era in Toronto.

Indeed, Matthews and the Maple Leafs have had to move on from Marner, the franchise's fifth-leading all-time points producer (741) who is now a member of the Vegas Golden Knights after a sign-and-trade on July 1.

Replacing his 102 points (27 goals, 75 assists) from last season will be tantamount to the Maple Leafs' success, and that's where Matthews comes in.

If the three-time NHL goal-scoring champ and 2021-22 Hart Trophy winner is as healthy as he says he is, it will go a long way tow

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