Auston Matthews trade speculation rises after report questions Toronto future
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Daniel Lucente
Mar 9, 2026 (10:44)
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Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Michael Amato says Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs captain at $13.25 million, could eye the exit in 2027 if this core keeps stalling.
That is the punch here, not the panic.
Matthews is 28, signed through 2027-28 at a $13.25 million cap hit, and his deal carries full no-move protection through the contract.
He can sign his next extension on July 1, 2027 because he will be one year from expiry then.
So if Toronto fears a bad answer, the market will start circling long before free agency.
Matthews has 26-26-52 in 58 games this season after posting 33-45-78 in 67 games last year. That is still elite top-line production, even if it has not felt like his most dominant season.
"The Leafs captain can sign an extension in the summer of 2027, and Toronto will want to know what Matthews is thinking sooner rather than later," Amato on Sunday. "If the Leafs again look like a team nowhere close to the playoffs, Matthews could decide he doesn't want to stay long-term."
- Michael Amato
- Michael Amato
For rival teams, the appeal is obvious.
Matthews is a true 1C who drives the middle, wins draws, finishes off the flank, and scares penalty kills on the man advantage.
Auston Matthews puts the Toronto Maple Leafs on notice
Leafs fans are not really angry at the quote, they are angry that it sounds possible.
That is why this story matters beyond headline noise.
A star with that cap hit and that résumé does not become available often, but if he ever opens the door, half the league will call. His no-move clause means Toronto cannot force anything.
The Leafs also have only modest projected cap space, so any long-range roster planning runs through Matthews and his timeline.
This is not a deadline-rental story.
It is a pressure story for the next game, the next month, and the next playoff push. Every win sells the vision, and every flat night gives other teams a reason to dream bigger about Auston Matthews.
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Elliotte Friedman reports NHL canceled trade after paperwork missed deadline
Elliotte Friedman reports NHL canceled trade after paperwork missed deadline
| POLL | ||
MARS 9|342 ANSWERS Auston Matthews trade speculation rises after report questions Toronto future Should Auston Matthews already be viewed as a future target for other teams? | ||
| Yes | 306 | 89.5 % |
| No | 36 | 10.5 % |
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