For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter The Toronto Maple Leafs decided to give their club a mental and physical day off after playing three games in four nights and being put through their paces at practice on Monday, but while the players were away, GM Kyle Dubas spoke to the media at the Mastercard Centre in Etobicoke, ON on a number of subjects, ranging from their recent struggles to the club’s plans for the upcoming NHL Trade deadline, but the most intriguing news revealed was some optimism regarding a long term contract extension with center Auston Matthews. “We continue to have very healthy dialogue with (Matthews agents) Judd Moldaver and Jeff Jackson.… Dubas said. “If we knew where all of our players would be (contractually) and what our situation is, it would help us prepare for a number of factors, but that is a very big personal decision for the players and I don’t want it to come off as we are putting pressure on them to do so.… The Leafs GM indicated that there are no talks with Mitch Marner’s representation, as agent Darren Ferris has said publicly that he wants to wait until the offseason to discuss a new contract. Toronto has gone .500 (9-9-2) over the last 20 games and lost six of their last seven games on home ice, but Dubas expects the club to bounce back beginning with their final game before the All-Star break against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.
*******
Our podcast has arrived.
— Norman James (@NormanJamesTLC) January 22, 2019
Contents: Mike, myself, and YOU!
Please enjoy responsibility. ðŸ™ðŸ»ðŸ’™#LeafForever #TMLTalk #NHL @MikeInBuffalo @TheLeafsConvo https://t.co/RGHKA6mzGP