Auston Matthews discusses his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs after a disappointing 2025-26 season. The team is contemplating all options, including a potential trade for their captain.
Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews reveals what his future looks like after Toronto's awful season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The outside chatter suggests that the Toronto Maple Leafs could consider trading Auston Matthews this summer.
It may not be a realistic outcome, but it does feel like everything has to be on the table for new front office leadership after a brutal 2025-26 season.
The Leafs' campaign ended Wednesday night with a loss to the Senators, and they're now going to have to figure out where they go from here.
That includes at least considering what's next for their captain. Matthews has two years left on his contract, so if he was going to be traded, now might be the time to do it.
Matthews had his exit interview with Toronto media on Thursday and addressed this, sort of.
"I mean, I can't predict the future," Matthews said. "Obviously there are steps that have to take place. They've got to hire new leadership, management, stuff like that. I don't really know. Like I said, I can't really predict the future."
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He was asked a follow-up about whether he wants to be in Toronto.
"All that stuff, there's always noise, there's always chatter," Matthews said. "Personally, I really don't pay attention to all that. I just focus on myself, focus on this team, and trying to be a part of the solution."
That last line has to be the most encouraging one that Matthews said as far as the Maple Leafs are concerned.
Wanting to be "part of the solution" implies he won't be requesting any move out of town this offseason.
Auston Matthews revealed his thoughts on his future with the Maple Leafs following a challenging season, indicating uncertainty.
While trading Auston Matthews is not deemed realistic, the new front office may consider all options after a poor season.
Auston Matthews has two years remaining on his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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It seems more likely that the Leafs try to do a quick rebuild around their captain in the hopes of bouncing back in 2026-27.
Another bad season would potentially change everything. But Matthews and company are likely hoping this was mostly a blip.