Auston Matthews has not yet decided where he will play next season. According to NHL insider Chris Johnston, the new Toronto Maple Leafs front office has a lot to prove itself to the team’s captain this summer.
The Toronto Maple Leafs had an extremely disappointing 2025–2026 campaign, to say the least. They ended up 28th overall, well outside a playoff spot.
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Auston Matthews future is uncertain
The Leafs are now looking to make a strong comeback in the 2026–2027 season. They began by letting general manager Brad Treliving go on March 30. He has been replaced by the controversial John Chayka as general manager, with Maple Leafs legend Mats Sundin joining as a senior advisor. The new front office now has to convince captain Auston Matthews to stay, which might not be easy, according to NHL insider Chris Johnston.
Johnston mentions a couple of things that Matthews wants to see from his new bosses in order to commit to the Maple Leafs. When the season ended, Matthews didn’t reveal his future plans.
“I can’t predict the future,” he told reporters.
Needs to improve roster
According to Johnston, the Maple Leafs roster needs to improve with bold signings in July, when free agency opens.
“Effectively, the Chayka–Sundin front office will be auditioning for the team’s most impactful player with their work around draft week in late June and the opening of free agency on July 1. As such, they shouldn’t expect any commitments from Matthews about his future until some point after that happens and he can evaluate where the team stands heading into 2026–27,” Johnston writes.
It is very important for the Maple Leafs to keep their captain. If Auston Matthews requests a trade away from the team that drafted him first overall in 2016, the Maple Leafs would be in a difficult position. Matthews has a full no-movement clause, which means the Leafs can’t control where to trade him or guarantee a strong return. The summer will be an interesting one for Maple Leafs fans.
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