The season is nearly over for the Toronto Maple Leafs. They sit seventh in the Atlantic Division and are 10 points out of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference with just nine games remaining.
With the playoffs slipping away, attention is already turning toward the offseason and what it could mean for Auston Matthews.
What Does the Future Hold for Auston Matthews in Toronto?
After becoming sellers at the trade deadline for the first time in years, the Maple Leafs are on track to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Despite that, the organization still appears to be planning a quick turnaround. The core remains intact, and management hopes that offseason additions, along with the draft picks acquired in deals involving players like Brandon Carlo, Nic Roy, and Scott Laughton, could help the team rebound quickly.
There is also the matter of Matthews’ health. The Maple Leafs captain underwent successful surgery on March 19, 2026, to repair a Grade 3 MCL tear and a quad contusion in his left leg. His recovery and the team’s direction will both play a major role in what happens next.
NHL insider James Mirtle suggested the Maple Leafs may believe this season is just a one-off and that they can quickly return to form. “It’s just such a false hope,” he said.
Mirtle explained that Matthews has the freedom to evaluate the team’s offseason moves, coaching decisions, and roster changes before deciding whether the direction still aligns with his long-term plans.
He also referenced the Quinn Hughes situation as a warning sign. Hughes’s surprising trade from the Vancouver Canucks to the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 12, 2025, followed a rough start that saw Vancouver quickly fall in the standings. The return from that deal sparked debate, as the Canucks accepted a less-than-ideal value given the circumstances. “And it wasn’t a great trade,” Mirtle said.
The worry for Toronto is that a slow start next season could create a similar scenario. If Matthews takes a wait-and-see approach and the team struggles early, the Maple Leafs could find themselves facing a difficult decision under unfavorable conditions.
“The scary thing for the Leafs is that if you aren’t a little bit more proactive about this,” Mirtle said. “You could end up in a situation like that (Hughes situation) where you’re forced into not a great Matthews trade at some point.”
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For now, it is all speculation. The storyline will be monitored closely as the offseason approaches. The Maple Leafs still have a few games left, starting with their next matchup against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.
