See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source There used to be no end to the ways Auston Matthews could beat an opponent. His shot, size, sight and stick check all were employed in achieving 60- and 69-goal seasons, a Calder Trophy, three Rocket Richards and the Hart/Lindsay daily double in 2022.

But the past few years have been about him being beaten up — physically by a series of mostly secretive injuries and mentally by nearly a decade in Toronto without a signature playoff performance to get the Leafs beyond the second round. Then, last season, watching from the sidelines with a Radko Gudas-inflicted knee tear as the Leafs missed the spring dance for the first time in Matthews’ tenure.

WHY WAS MATTHEWS’ FAITH IN TORONTO SHAKEN? That the Leafs had to be almost shamed into retaliating for other abuse of teammates after that and the chaotic front-office situation towards the end of the schedule prompted speculation the captain might abandon the ship before the last two years of his contract played out.

Matthews told ownership late last season that was not the case, at least as far as not repeating the Mitch Marner soap opera, though he reserved the right to remain silent until hearing out the new hockey office of John Chayka, Mats Sundin, coach Jim Hiller and three new assistants. HOW DOES MATTHEWS FEEL ENTERING CAMP?

At Wednesday’s training camp opener, Matthews seemed to have regained his swagger and, though turning 29 on Thursday, played the part of a young gun again, sitting beside the rejuvenating 18-year-old No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna. “My intent was always to be here,” Matthews said.

“With the way things ended last year, (Brad Treliving) fired before the season’s over, a lot of change, I wanted to take a step back, see what happens, have an open line of communication with whoever was hired. “John’s here now and look what he’s done, brought in some great people, great players and outside hires (completely altering the whole front office).” Chayka wasn’t thinking of just a re-tool on the fly, but putting something in place to keep stars such as Matthews beyond the summer of 2028.

The GM saw a motivated Matthews, based on their interactions so far and a team leadership dinner earlier this month. “Physically he looks great, more importantly, he’s smiling, having fun, engaging with his teammates and being the great leader that he is,” Chayka said of Matthews.

“I know there’s a lot of talk about him and his contractual status. “One day he won’t be a Leaf and hopefully that ends with his retirement.” “It’s something we’re excited about, to link arms with him and walk side-by-side as we try and accomplish our goal.” WHAT EFFECT WITH NEW COACHES HAVE ON THE LEAFS?

Matthews’ mood will be also be brightened by the change in coaches. The perception was he and other skilled Leafs chafed under Craig Berube in his disappointing second season, their creativity stifled by over-emphasis on a 200-foot game plan.

Woeful early season power-play numbers last year from the fewest chances generated in the league will also be addressed as Daniel Alfredsson and John Gruden come on staff. What the Capitals said after Alexander Ovechkin appeared in pro‑Putin campaign ad SIMMONS: Why coach Jim Hiller is the Maple Leafs' biggest question as training camp opens HAVE YOUR SAY: What do you think of Maple Leafs off-season changes ahead of training camp?

Matthews knows what kind of skill Alfredsson had as a player, that Gruden helped him early in life with the U.S. Development Program and fondly recalls Hiller in charge of the Leafs power play in first stint here as Mike Babcock’s assistant.

“I’m super-excited,” Matthews said. “Training camp is short (on the ice Thursday with the first exhibition game Saturday) and we’re going to get acquainted really very fast.

“There is a level of excitement with change and we’ve got quite a bit of it.” Lhornby@postmedia.com X: @sunhornby