After missing the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been forced to grapple with serious questions about the franchise’s future. Most importantly, after Brad Treliving’s firing, the Leafs need a steady hand to take charge of the front office during this tumultuous time.
Among other responsibilities, the new GM will be tasked with navigating the highly sensitive issue of Auston Matthews’ future. Will the Leafs captain stay back and become a central piece of the rebuild, or, in true Quinn Hughes fashion, leave?
Insider Shares His Take on Auston Matthews’ Future with the Toronto Maple Leafs
How much is Matthews to blame for this season as the captain of the Leafs? The 28-year-old center had the worst kind of injury luck this season. He played only 60 games and accumulated 53 points. Moreover, another significant criticism against Matthews and the rest of the team is that they often seem to lack passion and drive on the ice.
After a particularly brutal 4-0 loss at the hands of the Washington Capitals in December 2025, HC Craig Berube called the Leafs out for their lack of urgency and passion. Yet, despite his purported display of disinterest, David Pagnotta believes that Matthews’ fate with the Leafs may not be similar to what transpired between Hughes and the Vancouver Canucks.
“I don’t believe yet there’s a correlation between how it ended with Quinn Hughes in Vancouver and how things are going right now with Auston Matthews,” Pagnotta shared in a recent episode of the Oilers Nation Everyday.
As much as a player of Matthews’ potential deserves to play on a competitive team, it is equally true that he has consistently expressed his love and appreciation for Toronto and his fans. Even after the nightmare this past season was for the Maple Leafs, Matthews maintained during his exit interview that he ignores all the noise surrounding his future, remaining focused on himself and the team.
“There is always noise and chatter. Personally, I really don’t pay attention to all of that. I really just focus on myself, this team, and trying to be a part of the solution”, Matthews replied when asked about whether there is any credibility to the idea that he may not finish his contract with the Leafs, per Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.
At the same time, Matthews kept the door slightly ajar for any unprecedented development that takes him away from the franchise. The Leafs’ captain emphasized that for such conversations to take place, management needs to be in place. “I can’t predict the future. There are steps that have to take place. They’ve got to hire new leadership in management.”
The need of the hour for the Maple Leafs remains hiring a suitable general manager who can effectively carry out these conversations with Matthews’ camp and lock him in long-term. The Leafs have suffered significantly in the aftermath of Mitch Marner’s exit, and it would be highly unfavorable for the team to witness another star player turn his back on the franchise.
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