TORONTO - In reality, Shawn Matthias didn’t need the sales pitch at all, but a summer meeting with Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock certainly helped settle the free agent’s mind.
There was the opportunity to play for his home-town team. There was the chance to improve his game under one of the more renowned coaches in hockey and there was the chance to be part of a future billed with big talk.
In other words, a nice trifecta opportunity for a player looking to take advantage of the prime years of his career.
“Toronto was already on my list of teams to go to, but talking to (Babcock) and just seeing how much he wants to win .