Chris Johnston

I think he loves being the captain of this team.

Obviously, he's been front and center here in a lot of conversation the last few days.

But, you know, I don't sense at all his commitment waning.

And, in fact, I think if they were making decisions –

That made sense that they were, you know, if it's properly messaged to some degree in terms of what the plans are.

Like, he wants a chance to win, too.

And I'm sure, you know, he's sitting there feeling a lot of the things everybody is.

Like, the numbers don't lie at a certain point, right?

We're more than...

50 games into this season, the Leafs have rarely, to their credit, they did have a great stretch after Christmas and into the early part of January.

But other than that, most of this year, they have not looked the part of what they expect to be, which they started this season thinking they're a contender.

I think the truth is staring them in the face.

Maybe they can save it here and change some minds with a hot finish right before the Olympic break or what have you.

But honestly, I think if we're being honest, they have to be looking towards at least a soft little retool, maybe add some of those assets you're talking about, Hayes, and not with the idea they're blowing everything up, but just basically taking a small step back with an idea of trying to take a few forward starting next year.

Well, I mean, look, I can only go on the history.

First of all, I think there's an active dialogue between Austin Matthew, his agent, the team.

Like, I don't sense any issues there.

And this guy signed a year out the last time he could have been a UFA.

Even when he was coming in an RFA, like, they got that deal done well in advance.

As much as I think people wanted to link his birthplace and just assume he wants to play other places, I just think the history shows that's not the case.