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Toronto Maple Leafs: Frustrations reaches new level after loss to Dallas Stars

By David Morassutti

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 3: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets to his feet against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 3, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 3: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets to his feet against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 3, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 2: William Nylander #29 and Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs chat during a timeout against the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on April 2, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** William Nylander; Auston Matthews /

Absence of Auston Matthews and William Nylander taking its toll

Not having Matthews and Nylander in the lineup is having the impact many would have expected and for good reason. The Leafs were getting by with Nylander because Matthews was carrying his line and elevating the play of Kasperi Kapanen.

Now with the Matthews out long-term, it puts pressure on John Tavares, Nazem Kadri and Mitch Marner to carry the load. Unfortunately, there’s only so much they can do and the longer both Matthews and Nylander aren’t playing, the tougher it’s going to be.

Granted, this is a great time for the Leafs to overcome some adversity and show that they aren’t reliant on Matthews and Nylander. At the same time, the Leafs forward depth doesn’t have the ability to score at will and other than Morgan Rielly, the blueline hasn’t really provided much offensively.

There has been no update to Nylander’s contract talks that would suggest a resolution coming soon and while the Leafs are doing the right thing in standing firm, the impact it’s having on the team is noticeable. This shouldn’t pressure the Leafs into making a deal but at some point, a decision is going to have to be made because not having Nylander or a player of his talent gets tougher with Matthews also out.

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