This story was originally intended to be a simple one, about two hockey players becoming fast friends and building a strong bond, as two of the most important members of the Maple Leafs.



But when I began to ask Auston Matthews and Frederik Andersen about their unique relationship, I started to get something altogether different.



They were using my questions as a way to chirp one another, moving their personal jabs from the living room of their condos into our interviews in the dressing room.



It started with an innocuous question about golf, a few weeks ago on a road trip. Andersen has clearly become obsessed with the sport, as he makes analogies and references to it all the time.



But Matthews — who grew up in Arizona, home to plenty of golf courses — is not particularly impressed with the big Dane’s new infatuation.



“Yeah, well, he loves golf. He loves talking about golf. And he’s not — I don’t want...