The Toronto Maple Leafs are inching closer to a new season, and the focus inside camp is shifting toward the challenges ahead. Injuries, roster adjustments, and expectations all loom large. But in the middle of it all, captain Auston Matthews made sure one storyline in particular won’t drag on much longer.
Is Auston Matthews Finished Answering Mitch Marner Questions?
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Matthews told the Toronto media they have “two more weeks” to ask about his former teammate before the questions end for good.
The Leafs are entering the 2025-26 campaign with a mix of optimism and pressure. The team’s “B” squad took the ice for a preseason game in Ottawa, but back home, Matthews and the regular group continued skating in preparation for the year ahead.
Though for Matthews, the challenge is bigger than health. As captain, he’s tasked with leading the Leafs into a new era, one that no longer includes Marner. The winger signed an eight-year, $96 million deal with the Vegas Golden Knights this summer, closing a chapter in Toronto that had been a source of speculation for years.
Matthews addressed that directly. “We’ll see. You got two more weeks, and then we’re done with these questions,” he said, smiling as he set a firm boundary.
While softer in tone than head coach Craig Berube, who also shut down Marner talk earlier this month, Matthews’ message was the same that the Leafs are moving forward.
The captain’s stance is understandable. Last season was far from his best. He managed 78 points in 67 games, but injuries limited his impact, and his goal total dropped to 33, less than half of the 69 he scored in 2023–24. Reportedly, Matthews is determined to bounce back and knows distractions won’t help.
The Marner storyline has dominated Toronto’s media cycle for years, but Matthews is focusing on what’s next. That includes building chemistry with new linemates. Matias Maccelli, acquired in a July trade from Utah, has been skating on the top line with Matthews and Matthew Knies.
So far, the captain likes what he sees. “Every day, a little bit better,” Matthews said, noting the importance of small steps during camp.
The Leafs also have the option of sliding Max Domi into that role, giving Matthews versatile support up front. Both Maccelli and Domi are expected to help on the defensive side as well, which could free Matthews to generate more offense, an area he admitted dipped last season.
The organization isn’t blind to the stakes. Matthews sits within reach of Mats Sundin’s all-time franchise goal record, but individual milestones matter less than team success. The Leafs have not gone deep into the playoffs in decades, and with Marner gone, the responsibility on Matthews’ shoulders is heavier than ever.
