Matthews, Knies, Rielly Talk Future with Maple Leafs as Berube Waits

Speaking with the media on Thursday morning, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube revealed that he’s under the impression he’ll return next season. When asked, he simply said “yes” and then moved on to taking other questions.

Berube later said that MLSE President Keith Pelley hasn’t told him one way or the other whether he’ll be returning.

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Berube said he expects some changes to the roster, but he also believes there’s a good core in Toronto and that the team can bounce back. ”

Meanwhile, captain Auston Matthews said he couldn’t predict the future when asked about where he fits into the team. “I love being the captain of this team. I think it’s an incredible honour to wake up every day and wear this jersey.” He’s not looking to go anywhere, but he said he can’t really comment until the organization brings in new management. “I can’t predict the future […] They have to hire new leadership at management and stuff like that. So, I don’t really know. Like I said, I can’t predict the future.”

Matthew Knies was asked about the trade rumors that included him and said, “That’s for the guys upstairs. I want to stay here. I want to play here.” When asked if he believes the team will improve next season, “100%. With the talent and personnel in the locker room, that’s definitely going to happen.” It was brought to his attention that, if traded, the return in trade would have been massive. Did that make it easier to swallow? “I wouldn’t want to look at it as a compliment; I’d look at it as a crappy thing. I don’t want to leave this group of guys… it doesn’t really matter what it was. I wouldn’t want to leave here.”

Morgan Rielly spoke as well, and when asked why he wanted to stay in Toronto, he said, “I’ve always wanted to stay. I still want to stay. I love being a Maple Leaf; this organization means a lot to me.”

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