Mike Modano has shared his thoughts on the intense scrutiny that Auston Matthews encounters as the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The former Dallas Stars star, who is regarded as one of hockey’s all-time greats, voiced his concerns about the weight of expectations placed on Matthews, especially in a market like Toronto where championship aspirations run high.
The Leafs have faced criticism for their inability to deliver playoff success, amplifying the pressure on Matthews, who currently serves as captain for Team USA in the Olympics. Drafted first overall into the NHL, he came into the league with high expectations, which have only intensified since he took on the captaincy of the storied franchise.
During his appearance on TSN’s OverDrive, Modano commented on the environment in Toronto and how it can be challenging for even the most talented players. He remarked, “I don’t wish that environment, and that scrutiny up in Toronto on anybody,” acknowledging the immense attention directed toward a player of Matthews’ caliber.
Modano also underscored the necessity for Matthews to have a stronger supporting cast. The departure of Mitch Marner raised questions about the team’s depth and scoring capabilities. After a slow start to the season, Matthews has rebounded impressively, becoming the franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer with 26 goals and 22 assists in 51 games before the Olympic break.
Despite Matthews’s strong individual performance, Modano emphasized the need for additional talent around him, particularly an elite offensive defenseman to help relieve some of the pressure. He noted the advantages other players enjoy when supported by complementary talents, explaining, “It’s a luxury to have Quinn Hughes for [Kirill] Kaprizov and [Cale] Makar feeding [Nathan] MacKinnon coming up the ice.”
Furthermore, Modano praised Matthews’ production on the ice and expressed confidence that the young star has not yet reached his full potential. At 27 years old, Matthews is still in his prime and capable of several more high-scoring seasons. He pointed out that while public opinion on Matthews may be low due to the team’s playoff shortcomings, a deep postseason run could dramatically shift the narrative surrounding him.
“Productively, [Matthews has] been phenomenal,” Modano stated, underlining that success in the playoffs is what ultimately shapes players’ legacies in Toronto. He concluded by reiterating the importance of having supportive teammates to ease the burden on Matthews as he strives for postseason success.