Pressure on Maple Leafs as Auston Matthews seeks clarity on Toronto’s direction

Pressure is building around the Toronto Maple Leafs. Captain Auston Matthews is looking for clarity on the franchise’s direction after a disappointing 2025-26 NHL season. The Leafs missed the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, raising serious questions about the team’s future.

On Monday, Matthews was present at Scotiabank Arena during Fan Appreciation Night, and it was his first public appearance since undergoing knee surgery. The injury, caused by a hit from Radko Gudas, ended his season early and limited him to 60 games. He finished with 27 goals and 53 points, well below his usual standard.

Speaking about Matthews’ situation on “First Up,” insider Chris Johnston said the star forward has not yet decided on his long-term outlook. He mentioned that Matthews is expected to speak during locker clean-out day on Thursday, though his answers may reflect the current uncertainty.

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“I don’t know how much he can say truthfully, and it’s not because he’s hiding anything,” Johnston said. “It’s my understanding he’s certainly not made up his mind about what he thinks needs to happen with this career, where he’s got to go.

“I think all things being equal, he wants to be a Maple Leaf, he wants to continue on where he’s been and keep chasing a Stanley Cup, but he needs to have some confidence that that can happen here and, you know, I don’t know how anyone, us included could have confidence what the Leafs are going to look like next season until we kind of get an understanding of who’s going to run the team, what that person’s vision is, where things go next.

“And so I think, Auston will probably mention that fact that there’s just, with the uncertainty of not knowing even who’s running the front office, he’s going to want to meet that person and have conversations before anything’s decided.”

Uncertainty around the front office remains an issue after management changes late in the season. The Leafs fired their General Manager, Brad Treliving, as the Leafs failed to succeed during his time.

The Leafs’ struggles have added to that uncertainty. Toronto finished near the bottom of the Atlantic Division with defensive issues throughout the year. A dramatic 6-5 loss to the Dallas Stars in their final home game summed up a campaign.

Johnston compares Auston Matthews & Connor McDavid’s situation

Despite the setbacks, for now, Matthews is committed to the franchise. He is under contract through 2027-28 and continues to value his role as captain. However, as he approaches his prime years, the urgency to compete for a championship is growing.

Johnston compared his situation to that of the Oilers’ captain, Connor McDavid.

“I do believe all things being equal in a perfect world … he would [stay], he loves being captain of the Maple Leafs, he appreciates what it is to represent this team, to be one of the all-time leading point getters and obviously the all-time leading goal scorer already,” Johnston said.

“I mean, but he’s getting to the age where, you know, I think he’d get itchy if you haven’t really, you know, had a chase of that Stanley Cup, we see it with Connor McDavid right now in Edmonton, unfortunately for the Oilers, obviously they’re going back to the playoffs, so he’s still got a chance to win one this spring.”

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So, right now, Matthews’ focus will likely be on understanding the organization’s next steps before making any firm decisions.

For Toronto, the offseason now carries major importance. Providing a clear vision could be crucial in keeping their captain fully invested in the team’s future.