Toronto Maple Leafs Rumors: Auston Matthews Tipped To Join Western Conference Outfit in the Near Future

The Toronto Maple Leafs head into the Olympic break with more questions than answers. Despite a brief three-game winning streak, Toronto remains near the bottom of the Atlantic Division, and its playoff hopes remain slim.

With the team struggling to gain traction, speculation about the long-term future of captain Auston Matthews has resurfaced. One analyst has floated the idea that Matthews could eventually head west.

Insider Floats a Potential Landing Spot for Leafs’ Auston Matthews

Matthews remains the cornerstone of the Maple Leafs, even in a season interrupted by injury. He has still produced at a strong pace, recording 48 points in 51 games before leaving to represent Team USA at the Olympics. Yet, even while away from Toronto, rumors surrounding his future haven’t slowed.

ESPN analyst Greg Wyshynski added fuel to the conversation with a post on X that caught the attention of NHL fans. “In thinking more about why the @LAKings held firm on a two-year extension for Artemi Panarin, I guess there are a couple of reasons why they might want that money off their cap in 2028 … #NHL,” Wyshynski wrote, accompanied by photos of Connor McDavid and Matthews.

The message was pretty clear: Los Angeles may be setting itself up for a big move down the road as some of the NHL’s largest contracts start to expire.

Earlier this week, Artemi Panarin was dealt in a blockbuster move to the Kings, where he signed a two-year, $22 million contract. That deal lines up with the timelines of both McDavid and Matthews, who are each under contract through the 2027-28 season.

McDavid is set to begin a two-year, $25 million extension with Edmonton in 2026-27. Matthews is currently in the second year of his four-year, $53 million deal with Toronto, leaving two seasons remaining.

Wyshynski’s point was that once those contracts expire, a Western Conference team like Los Angeles could theoretically have the flexibility to chase one of the league’s biggest stars.

Reality Check on the Rumors

While the idea is intriguing, the odds of Matthews or McDavid ending up in Los Angeles remain slim. Following the Panarin (34 age) move, the Kings now boast one of the oldest rosters in the NHL, with an average age of 31. That reality alone could make the destination less appealing for elite players still in their prime.

There’s also little indication that either superstar is eager to leave their current situation. McDavid has publicly expressed his love for playing in Edmonton in his recent article to The Players’ Tribune, while Matthews has previously reassured Leafs management that he isn’t looking to go elsewhere.

As the Olympic break unfolds, the Leafs face a critical stretch ahead, one that could determine not only how this season ends.