Paul Bissonnette offers controversial take on what do to Maple Leafs’ Core Four

Whoever comes as the new Toronto Maple Leafs general manager this summer, he will face important decision that will impact the team’s roster, which could be quite different in 2023-24.

Other than the Core Four up front — captain John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander — only three forwards who finished 2023 with the Leafs are under contract fo the upcoming campaign.

But it all starts with the Core Four, and whether one of them will be traded out of Toronto. According to Paul Bissonnette of the Spittin Chiclets, the Maple Leafs need to attempt another season with the four star forwards on board.

His co-host Ryan Whitney ripped him apart for suggesting the Maple Leafs hold on to all four forwards, asking where would the extra money come to improve the rest of the roster?

The situation with Matthews is the top priority for Toronto. Matthews has one more year left before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. He is not going anywhere.

Marner has two years left before becoming a UFA, while Nylander will be entering the final year of his contract next season, just like Matthews. But the Maple Leafs also need to figure out the rest of their lineup and I’m afraid Whitney is right: “they have no money to spend anywhere else.”

Bissonnette is too invested in his love for the Maple Leafs to make the right call here…

Recommended articles:

• Pierre LeBrun reaches out to Kyle Dubas after Leafs announced he was out as GM
• Maple Leafs members reportedly angered over major changes
• Jason Spezza leaves the Maple Leafs!
• Brendan Shanahan comments on Sheldon Keefe's future in Toronto
• Real reason revealed on what led Maple Leafs to part ways with Kyle Dubas!