The future of Auston Matthews with the Toronto Maple Leafs has become questionable in the NHL offseason. After a disappointing season for Toronto, questions are growing about whether Matthews will remain committed to the team long term.

On an episode of '32 Thoughts: The Podcast', NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that Matthews is expected to start more conversations with the Maple Leafs.

He discussed that the team would finalize its plans for next season’s roster, including decisions related to the draft and free agency.

Matthews sustained a serious injury during the 2025–26 season. In March, he had a knee-on-knee collision with the Anaheim Ducks’ defender Radko Gudas. The incident caused a grade-3 MCL tear, sidelining him for the entire season.

The team finished last in the Atlantic Division with a 32-36-14 record and 78 points. They missed the playoffs for the first time in Matthews' career.

According to Friedman, Auston Matthews may wait until around July before making huge decisions about his future. He still has two years left on his contract and also has a full no-movement clause.

It means the Toronto Maple Leafs cannot trade him without his permission. He signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the team in 2024. The deal will end after the 2027–28 season, according to Spotrac.

“I can’t predict the Future” - Auston Matthews 

Auston Matthews revealed he is unsure of his future with the Leafs. According to a Reuters' report, he stated he cannot predict his future with the Maple Leafs amid upcoming management changes and uncertainty.

"I mean, I can't predict the future," Matthews stated. "Obviously, there are steps ​that kind of have to take place. They're going to hire ⁠new leadership in management and stuff like that. So, you know, I don't ​really know.”

Matthews also discussed how the Toronto Maple Leafs are still searching for new leadership. He added that future discussions will happen naturally when the time is right.

“We're not ​even at that point yet. Obviously, we're still in the searching phase, I ​guess you can say, for them," Matthews said. "So, I think when those conversations come and when ‌the ⁠time comes, those conversations will just happen organically."

Auston Matthews finished the season with 53 points, including 27 goals and 26 assists, in 60 games.

The Toronto Maple Leafs had the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs. Even after that, Matthews said he still believes the team can win a Stanley Cup in the future.

"I do," Matthews said. "I believe in the guys in the room and the people we have here ... we're all hopeful this is kind of a ⁠one-off."

Therefore, there is no indication that Matthews wants to leave immediately. The coming months may determine whether Matthews sees Toronto as a true long-term home or begins considering other possibilities in the future.

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Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Rishab Nandi