NHL Rumors: 3 Untouchable Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have their sites set on getting through the first-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs next season as general manager Kyle Dubas is feeling the pressure to perform. Dubas is entering the final season of his current contract and to this point, there's been little said on the extension front. The Leafs need to get over the hump as they're loaded with high-end talent who can't seem to break through when it matters most. Dubas hasn't been shy with making moves, however, don't expect to see these three players moved at any point while the GM is in charge:

Auston Matthews

The heart and soul of the Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews has risen to the top of the league and he's hoping he can pull his teammates along for the ride. The Hart Trophy winner had himself a record-breaking season in 2021-22 and we can expect much of the same next season. The Arizona native has two seasons left on his contract and while some are starting to speculate about him skipping town once the contract is up, hockey insider Frank Seravalli sees Matthews a Maple Leaf for life. Leafs Nation hopes he's right. Needless to say, for now, he's not going anywhere.

Mitch Marner

Marner has been riding shotgun to Matthews for a few seasons now and loving every minute of it, as he's become one of the best wingers in the game. Marner has three seasons left on his current contract and likely is going to stick around long term, even if the Maple Leafs can't seem to crack through. Marner grew up a Leafs fan and there's nobody who wants to win more for the city on his team. Don't expect to see #16 leaving Toronto anytime soon.

Morgan Rielly

The Maple Leafs veteran defenseman makes the list over the likes of John Tavares and William Nylander as Rielly is the heartbeat of the team. When 'Mo' goes, the Maple Leafs go and the blueliner has been through it all in Toronto. He committed long term and enters the first year of his eight-year extension in 2022-23. Rielly is the team's best defenseman and the Leafs will need him to build off his 68 points in 82 games from last season. Dubas will make moves throughout the season and leading up to the trade deadline, but don't expect anything drastic to happen with these three mentioned above.

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