Auston Matthews Trade Rumors: 5 Potential Proposals

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a disappointing season, to say the least, as they’re projected to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16. With the team clearly needing to retool for next season, it’s been reported that they’ll be active sellers at this year’s NHL trade deadline.

No player is ever off the table, and the Maple Leafs may even be enticed to ship out captain Auston Matthews if the right deal presents itself.

Here are five potential trade proposals that could pry Matthews away from Toronto.

Auston Matthews Landing Spots and Trade Proposals

Los Angeles Kings: Quinton Byfield, Brandt Clarke, Henry Brzustewicz, and Picks

One team that always comes up in any Matthews trade discussions is the Los Angeles Kings.

Not only would LA provide the same type of spotlight and lifestyle for Matthews, but it would also make sense for both teams. The Leafs need young, NHL-ready players, while the Kings need a top-line centre if they’re going to make one last Cup push for veterans like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty.

The proposed trade would see the Kings send forward Quinton Byfield, defenceman Brandt Clarke, defensive prospect Henry Brzustewicz, plus draft picks to the Maple Leafs in exchange for Matthews.

All three LA players are former first-round picks and could serve as a fresh young core for the retooling Maple Leafs.

San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa, Alexander Wennberg, Shakir Mukhamadullin, and Picks

Another California team, but one that’s at a much different stage.

The San Jose Sharks are looking to make the postseason for the first time since 2018-19, and adding Matthews alongside Macklin Celebrini would give them the best one-two punch at centre in the league.

The Sharks would likely need to give up two of their best young NHL players, Michael Misa and Shakir Mukhamadullin, along with another capable centre in Alexander Wennberg, plus a couple of first or second-round picks.

Carolina Hurricanes: Seth Jarvis, Jackson Blake, Alexander Nikishin, and Picks

The Carolina Hurricanes are always in Stanley Cup contention, but have never been able to get over the hump. Adding a superstar like Matthews would immediately catapult them into the next echelon of Cup contenders.

The Canes may not want to give up on 24-year-old Seth Jarvis, who just represented Canada at the Olympics, but that’s likely the price to pay for a star of Matthews’ ilk. 

Add in 22-year-old forward Jackson Blake, 24-year-old blueliner Alexander Nikishin, plus some picks, and the Maple Leafs might be enticed to make this deal.

Colorado Avalanche: Martin Necas, Sam Malinski, Gavin Brindley, and picks

The league-leading Colorado Avalanche somehow have about $10 million in cap space (kudos to GM Chris MacFarland), so fitting Matthews in under the salary cap won’t be a problem. The question is what the Avs would actually be willing to give up to make this trade happen.

Colorado has shown a propensity to make blockbuster trades when they’re least expected, as demonstrated by last year’s swap of Martin Necas for Mikko Rantanen. But what if they wanted to parlay Necas once again into an even bigger piece like Matthews?

This would be an insane move for MacFarland to even consider, given how well the Avalanche are doing, yet it would also fit his profile of making cutthroat moves.

Minnesota Wild: Joel Eriksson Ek, David Jiricek, Danila Yurov, and Picks

The Minnesota Wild already made a blockbuster move this season when they acquired Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks. However, the Wild still have about $10 million in cap space to play with, so they could take a swing for Matthews if they really wanted to.

Minnesota would likely have to part ways with top centre Joel Eriksson Ek, but Matthews would provide a significant upgrade up the middle. 

The Wild would also need to add young NHLers such as defenceman David Jiricek and forward Danila Yurov, plus a pick or two.