The Toronto Maple Leafs did not have the season they wanted this past year as they failed to make the playoffs for the first time in the Auston Matthews era. This disappointing campaign has raised questions over what direction the club takes from here.
Those questions begin with the status of Matthews, Toronto’s franchise player. Matthews’ current contract with the Maple Leafs only has two years remaining. With the downward spiral currently taking place in Toronto, will he want to resign when this deal comes to an end?
The good news for Leafs nation is Matthews still appears faithful to Toronto, at least for now. According to insider Darren Dreger, Matthews is committed to Toronto as long as they avoid a full-scale rebuild.
Maple Leafs Expected to Retool
After a season in which the Maple Leafs missed the postseason for the first time in nine years, it would be a realistic fallback option for the squad to enter a rebuilding process. Especially after losing Matthews’ long time running mate Mitch Marner last offseason, the product on the ice clearly was not the same this season.
The Maple Leafs attempted a retool last summer by bringing in a flurry of depth additions on offense in an attempt to make up for the loss of Marner. However, the Leafs learned this year that it is no easy feat replacing an elite player of that stature.
For Matthews to remain in Toronto long term, the Maple Leafs will have to find a way to make this retool work. If management decides to blow up this core and enter a rebuilding process, Matthews would likely be on his way out.
Matthews Looking for Bounce-back Season Next Year
Matthews did not have the season he wanted in 25-26 as he amassed career lows across the board with just 27 goals and 26 assists for 53 points in 60 injury shortened games. He was clearly missing his former linemate Marner, with whom he shared a dynamic chemistry with throughout their time together as teammates.
The season was not all bad for Auston as outside of his Toronto obligations he enjoyed success at the international level with Team USA in the 2026 Winter Olympics, taking home the gold medal. Matthews was one of USA’s best players in the tournament, recording three goals and four assists in six games.
With that said, Matthews is going to want to produce at a higher rate at the NHL level in 26-27. If the Maple Leafs are going to bounce back and make this retool process work, they are going to need more production from Matthews.
Auston has not played at the same level the past two seasons fighting through injuries that have taken their toll on him. The last time he had a fully healthy uninterrupted campaign was the 23-24 season, in which he registered 69 goals and 38 assists for 107 points in 81 games. That is the Matthews the Maple Leafs need back if they want to return to the playoffs next year.
Time will tell what happens in the future with Matthews and if he decides to extend in Toronto or jump ship when the moment of reckoning arrives in the near future.
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