Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are superstars, and their clocks are ticking loudly. Matthews’s Hart Trophy win as the NHL’s MVP this past week cemented that status, endorsed by his peers in the Ted Lindsay Award vote. That has eluded Matthews and Marner to date, and watching this year’s playoffs after the Leafs’ first-round exit will only increase their desire. There is certainly work to do, but several key pieces around Matthews and Marner fill their roles well. The real challenge for Matthews arrives in two seasons and Marner a year later, when their contracts expire.

Source: thestar June 25, 2022 23:01 UTC