When the Toronto Maple Leafs started cleaning house last week, Shawn Matthias was one of the first players on the move. The 28-year old former 2nd Round draft pick of the Red Wings had spent the majority of his career with the Florida Panthers and Vancouver Canucks. And after signing a one-year deal in Toronto this past offseason as an unrestricted free agent, he was dealt to the Avalanche in exchange for AHL center Colin Smith and a 4th Round pick.
Matthias has barely had time to catch his breath since last Sunday, but the transition is going pretty well, and he credits his new teammates.