Jim Hiller expected to make major change with Auston Matthews in new Maple Leafs era
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Auston Matthews new role forecasted to change under Jim Hiller as the Maple Leafs enter a new coaching era this season.
Toronto is heading into camp with a different voice behind the bench, and it sounds like that shift will be felt most by the captain.
Jim Hiller takes over after Craig Berube was let go in May, and according to insider Chris Johnston, the new coaching staff is already looking at ways to get more out of Matthews offensively than fans saw the last couple of seasons.
Johnston explained that Hiller is expected to find spots where Matthews offensive gifts get accentuated in a way that just wasn't happening under the old system.
"I forecast that Jim Hiller is going to probably change his usage a little bit and find opportunities where Auston's offensive gifts maybe are accentuated more than was the case under Craig Berube. I think that's entirely possible.”
“Perhaps a renewed look from the coaching staff in terms of how he's used and what offensive situations he's given. Leafs power play improves. All these things, I think, lead you back to a world where he's among the better offensive players in the game, as he has been multiple seasons in the past."
- Chris Johnston
“Perhaps a renewed look from the coaching staff in terms of how he's used and what offensive situations he's given. Leafs power play improves. All these things, I think, lead you back to a world where he's among the better offensive players in the game, as he has been multiple seasons in the past."
- Chris Johnston
That's a big signal for a player who has three Rocket Richard trophies to his name but has seen his production dip in recent years.
Power play could be the difference maker
A lot of this comes back to the man advantage.
Toronto's power play used to be one of the scariest units in hockey, and when that unit is humming, it tends to spill over into five on five play too.
Hiller has already pointed to the power play as an area he wants to sharpen up, and that alone could open the door for Matthews to look like his old self again.
Johnston's read is that all these pieces, the coaching change, the renewed offensive role, and a better power play, could lead back to a version of Matthews who's again among the best offensive players in the league.
Leafs fans have heard promises before
Toronto fans aren't new to hearing optimistic offseason talk, so plenty will want to see it show up on the scoreboard before buying in.
Still, with Matthews signed through the 2027 28 season and the organization building around him, there's real motivation on both sides to make this work early rather than let doubts creep back in once the games start counting.
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