Former NHL player Sean Avery criticized Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews on Monday. Matthews failed to help the Leafs go deep in the playoffs last season, and they lost in the second round to the Florida Panthers. Toronto looked good in the first round against the Ottawa Senators but faced offensive issues in the second.Avery said Matthews might not have the next gear to win. He ranked Matthews first on his unwanted list, and Elias Patterson second."Austin Matthews, if there's a guy right now in the league that I say that might not have the next gear to win, he might be at the top of my list," Avery said, via the "Spittin’ Chiclets" podcast. "Elias Patterson might be second."However, cohost Paul Bissonnette rejected the idea."No, come on," Bissonnette said. "Now you're just Now you're just stirring the fu***** pot."Another cohost, Keith Yandle, backed Bissonnette's counter."I think Papi's got it in him," Yandle said. "He just doesn't show it, cuz he can't, cuz he's in Toronto, like outside, like he's not going to be calling guys out on the bench cuz he knows it'll be such a big deal. I think he's got it in him."Avery disagreed and highlighted that if that's the case with Matthews, he should control the game like Steve Yzerman did in the past. Yzerman ruled the league for seven years from 1987-88 to 1992-93, scoring over 100 points in each season. He averaged close to 55 goals per campaign."If that's the case, then you got to do what Steve Yzerman does and just go out there and put the team on your back, you know? Yeah," Avery said. "And not take any fu***** shifts off."Bissonnette and Yandle disagreed, noting that Matthews plays a strong 200-foot game."I think he's so good. 200-foot game," Yandle said. "Like, I got no complaints with Austin."Bissonnette also supported Matthews' performance last season when questioned by cohost Ryan Whitney. Matthews played through an injury, but still recorded 33 goals and 78 points in 67 games."I think that that he's an absolute horse," Bissonnette said.Avery added that Matthews, who is signed to a four-year $53 million contract (according to Spotrac), should do more than just be reliable."No, at $15 million, dude, you're a game breaker," Avery said. "I need more than a horse."However, Bissonnette corrected Avery, saying Matthews is making $13.25 million per year.Auston Matthews played through injury in 2024-25 seasonAfter the Maple Leafs' playoff exit following the Florida series last season, Auston Matthews revealed that he played through an injury the entire campaign. He missed nine games in November, and six more from Dec. 21 to Jan. 2. Matthews traveled to Germany for a doctor consultation during the first layoff. However, he expects to be fully healthy for the 2025-26 season without surgery."Definitely a tough year physically," Matthews said in May, via NHL.com. "I'm really confident I'll be back 100 percent next season, and it's nothing for me to worry about."Despite Sean Avery’s criticism, Matthews remains a key player for Toronto. He has proven his scoring ability with two 60-point seasons, including a career-high 69 in 2023-24. The team is confident tthat it will perform well in the upcoming season, starting in less than two weeks.