Auston Matthews’ future with the Toronto Maple Leafs has been cast in doubt. The center is currently sidelined for the remainder of the 2025-26 season after sustaining a Grade 3 MCL tear and a quad contusion on his left leg during the team’s game against the Anaheim Ducks on March 12.
While Matthews should be cleared to return come start of next season, his future remains a popular topic of discussion among the NHL community. There has been much speculation about a potential trade, and a recent report from NHL insider Darren Dreger claimed that the Maple Leafs might look to explore a deal in the offseason, with atleast two teams interested in the 28-year-old center.
These two teams are none other than the San Jose Sharks and the Utah Mammoth. The report from Dreger read,
“Re Auston Matthews speculation: Impossible to say definitively, San Jose would make some sense to me, I wouldn’t call them a frontrunner, but spitballing…I think Utah’s gonna be a big player here moving forward.”
Matthews is currently on a $53 million contract with an AAV of $13.25 million, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league. Apart from the contract, the Maple Leafs could face difficulties in pulling off the move due to his no-movement clause (NMC).
As per to the NMC, Matthews cannot be traded to another team unless he expressly requests it and tells the team in writing. The center signed the contract back in the 2024-25 season and will run through the 2027-28 season, after which the center will become an unrestricted agent at the age of 30.
The 2025-26 offseason will be a big one for Auston Matthews
The Maple Leafs have had a season to forget, as after 77 games, the team sits second from last at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. The team recently opted to fire their general manager, Brad Treliving, and it comes as no surprise that the 2026 offseason will be a big one for them.
With all these changes set to come, captain Auston Matthews’ future too remains shrouded in uncertainty. A decision regarding his future will likely be made once the season is completed. According to Daily Faceoff, Pelley wants to speak with Matthews before making any decisions. The report stated,
“It’s a matter of having that discussion with the captain, Auston Matthews, which will happen after the season. Keith Pelley said he exchanged text messages with Matthews on Tuesday morning, but then later on admitted that he will have a full conversation with the captain, presumably after the season, and that’s going to dictate as well what they’re going to do.”
As per recent reports, Auston Matthews should be available to play before the start of next season, which means the Leafs will hope to create a squad around their captain.
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