THN.com/podcast. Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk3OTY1MjQ1MDk5MDI1NTgw/usatsi_20654784.jpg] Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner The joy of Toronto Maple Leafs fans following their first playoff series win in 19 years quickly wilted away after their second-round elimination by the Florida Panthers. Questions are being raised over the futures of team president Brendan Shanahan, GM Kyle Dubas, and coach Sheldon Keefe and their players. With Dubas' contract expiring at the end of June, the club must re-sign or replace him soon. Whoever sits in the GM's chair must make some serious roster decisions. Determining the future of superstar Auston Matthews tops the list. NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger [https://www.nhl.com/news/toronto-maple-leafs-could-have-different-look-after-latest-playoff-exit/c-344361642?tid=344032424] observed the 25-year-old center is a year away from UFA eligibility. The Leafs can start contract extension talks on July 1, but it remains to be seen if he'll stay in Toronto or test next summer's free-agent market. The Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan [https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/changes-coming-for-maple-leafs-but-matthews-shouldnt-be-one-of-them] believes changes should be coming to the Leafs, but Matthews shouldn't be part of them. Meanwhile, the Toronto Star's Chris Johnston [https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/opinion/2023/05/13/no-question-looms-larger-for-maple-leafs-franchise-than-auston-matthewss-future.html] thinks he should be signed soon for as long as possible. Matthews' no-movement clause kicking in on July 1 will complicate things. If management senses reluctance from the 2022 Hart Trophy winner about remaining a Leaf, they'll have a limited window to trade him. The same goes for William Nylander. The Athletic's James Mirtle [https://theathletic.com/4515789/2023/05/13/mirtle-maple-leafs-panthers/] noted the 27-year-old forward is also eligible for UFA status next summer. Instead of a no-movement clause, he has a 10-team no-trade effective July 1. CapFriendly [https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/mapleleafs] shows the Leafs with just $7.45 million in projected cap space with 15 players under contract for 2023-24. Mirtle suggests trying to trade oft-injured goalie Matt Murray's and his $4.687-million cap hit as a buyout could prove prohibitive under a flattened cap.
