Auston Matthews’ Future: Will Star Return to the Maple Leafs?

Auston Matthews endured his worst season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, finishing with 53 points in 60 games, his lowest points-per-game clip (0.88) outside of his 2015-16 rookie season. 

It was also the first time since his rookie season that he failed to average at least one point per game. 

Things went from bad to worse for the face of the franchise, suffering a Grade 3 MCL tear and a quad contusion in his left knee on a cheap shot from the master of the dark arts, Radko Gudas. 

It added injury to an already-insulting campaign, and it has everyone wondering what’s in store for Matthews’ future. 

Will Auston Matthews Remain With the Maple Leafs? 

While he hasn’t publicly admitted it, Matthews’ main gripe is being the centrepiece of a team whose fall from grace was as tragic as the sniper’s season. 

The Maple Leafs are a year removed from going toe-to-toe, excluding the infamous and ghastly Game 7, with a Florida Panthers team that went on to win its second successive Stanley Cup. 

The Maple Leafs dealt Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights for Nicolas Roy, leaving Matthews to fend without his partner in crime. 

The result was almost as tragic as the Maple Leafs’ recent Game 7 track record, which, if you aren’t keeping track, is 0-6 since the start of the Matthews era. 

When asked about his future, Matthews said: 

“I can’t predict the future,” he said. “Obviously, there are steps that kind of have to take place. They have to hire new leadership and management and stuff like that. I don’t really know. Like I said, I can’t predict the future.”

I’m pretty sure Maple Leafs fans can predict the future, and it’s bleak if you’re in the I-hope-Auston-stays camp. 

Auston Matthews Contract Status & Future

With two years left in his four-year, $53 million deal and a new general manager arriving imminently, I can guarantee Matthews, still in his prime at 28, doesn’t have the stomach for anything loosely resembling a rebuild. 

With a palpable absence of future top-tier prospects, the Maple Leafs must get the most from any potential trade, particularly in the aftermath of the Marner debacle. 

In a roundabout way, the Maple Leafs eventually got a 2027 first-round draft pick for Marner after sending Roy to the Colorado Avalanche at the trade deadline. 

Maple Leafs fans have been down this road before, most recently with Marner, Ryan O’Reilly and Zach Hyman, and it usually takes a predictable turn for the worse. 

Unless the new general manager commits to immediately improving the roster for one more chance to win now, an unlikely scenario given the circumstances, I can’t see Matthews remaining in Toronto past the end of next season. 

I know it. Fans know it. And I’d be surprised if Matthews doesn’t already know it, too, at least behind closed doors. 

Auston Matthews Landing Spots

1. Chicago Blackhawks 

The Chicago Blackhawks need another star player to mentor and complement Connor Bedard, and they will have the second-most cap space this offseason (north of $48 million). 

However, Matthews would need further commitment from the Blackhawks, as, without further additions, they wouldn’t be among the Stanley Cup odds contenders even with Matthews’ arrival. 

2. San Jose Sharks 

Matthews joining the Sharks makes a ton of sense. He would get his fun in the sun while teaming up with megastar-in-the-making Macklin Celebrini, who just enjoyed one of the best NHL sophomore seasons. 

San Jose is already on the cusp of the playoff picture and has enough upside to appeal to Matthews. The Sharks also have the most cap space ($54 million). With Matthews, they would quickly transform into a team competing for the shortest hockey odds to win it all.

3. New York Rangers  

Trade one blue shirt to become a member of the Blueshirts? While the New York Rangers had a disastrous season, they’re usually a perennial contender. And the ownership group won’t be content to sit idly by and witness another horror show. 

It’s a marquee destination for a team that should have been much better than the on-ice product suggested. And the Rangers have about $28 million in available cap space.