Will Leafs Draft Lottery Win Impact Auston Matthews’ Future?

The Toronto Maple Leafs won the draft lottery and will nab the No. 1 pick for the first time since selecting Auston Matthews in 2016. 

While there are a couple of alternative options, the most likely being Ivar Stenberg, I’d be gobsmacked if the Maple Leafs don’t select Gavin McKenna. 

The timing couldn’t be more perfect for the Maple Leafs, whose recent hiring of general manager John Chayka was mired by skepticism and scrutiny. 

Whether Mats Sundin and Chayka can turn the Maple Leafs into contenders might have a lot to do with how they navigate the delicate situation surrounding Matthews’ future.

Will Winning Draft Lottery Convince Auston Matthews to Remain in Toronto? 

There are two schools of thought for this loaded question:

The most favourable solution for a franchise with a win-now mentality, given its longest Stanley Cup drought, would be to retain its franchise player. 

Related: Gavin McKenna Scouting Report: Why Leafs Will Draft McKenna

While drafting McKenna won’t, on its own, convince Matthews to stay, it will help. The projected No. 1 draft pick is chock-full of talent, a top-tier setup man who would complement Matthews, hopefully even replacing the elite playmaking ability they lost with Mitch Marner’s departure.  

McKenna will only be part of the pitch to convince Matthews to stay. He’ll need further assurances and an ironclad plan from Chayka to quickly restore their position as a Stanley Cup odds contender at the BetMGM online sportsbook, and I’m not even sure that will be enough. 

The Maple Leafs had a litany of injuries to key personnel last season, so their decline wasn’t an accurate reflection of the state of affairs. 

Regardless, last season’s downward trajectory, combined with the hiring of a controversial general manager, means the Maple Leafs are already fighting a losing battle to keep Matthews. 

What Happens if Matthews Decides to Leave? 

That brings me to the second possibility. 

Make no mistake, the 28-year-old will dictate his future. These days, regardless of the contract, superstars have the leverage. With two years left on his deal and the No. 1 draft pick in their back pocket, the Maple Leafs need a fast resolution.

After yesterday’s fortunate turn of events at the draft lottery, the Maple Leafs have a way forward. If Chayka, Sundin, and Co. cannot convince Matthews to stay, they will need to trade him urgently to get the rebuild off the ground. 

Without many forthcoming draft picks, scoring McKenna will accelerate and elevate that rebuilding process. The Vancouver Canucks represent a solid blueprint for what a team should receive when trading a franchise player. 

For Quinn Hughes, they received Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren, Zeev Buium, and a first-round pick. A similar bundle would allow the Maple Leafs to compete for a playoff spot within a few seasons of McKenna’s debut, depending, of course, on how the presumed No. 1 pick adapts to the NHL.

Regarding trade rumours, here are five potential Matthews trade proposals. That option doesn’t sound as bad as it did a few days ago.