Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs are looking for a contract extension but if they cannot work something out, Matthews could be traded back to his hometown team. <h2>Matthews Could Head Home</h2> Trade talks surrounding Auston Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs' superstar and former MVP, have sparked excitement among hockey fans. The possibility of Matthews returning to his hometown team has become a hot topic of discussion. While Los Angeles was initially considered a potential destination, the recent acquisition of Pierre-Luc Dubois by the Kings has narrowed the options. As a result, the Arizona Coyotes have emerged as the frontrunners in the race to secure Matthews' services, should they be willing to meet the substantial demands. However, it should be noted that the Leafs would prefer to not move Matthews but will do so if they must. <div align='center' style='padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:20px;'><img src='https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/i/photo/288828.webp' width='100%' border='0' alt='image' loading='lazy' defer /></div> <h2>Arizona's Return</h2> Should this trade materialize, the Arizona Coyotes would acquire an undeniable superstar in Auston Matthews. Despite a slightly less prolific season, where he tallied an impressive 40 goals and 85 points in 74 games, Matthews' skill and impact on the ice remain exceptional. The prospect of playing closer to home in Arizona could further entice him to commit to a long-term contract, allowing him to enjoy the proximity to friends and family. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/itsmitchmarney/status/1676384494406729728?s=20'> </a></blockquote></div> <h2>Toronto's Return</h2> In return, the Toronto Maple Leafs' package presents an enticing proposition, headlined by two highly regarded young talents: Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley. Logan Cooley, the third overall pick in the 2022 draft, has been making waves during his development at the University of Minnesota. His remarkable chemistry with top Leafs prospect Matthew Knies propelled both players to become finalists for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award. Widely hailed as one of the most promising prospects in hockey, Cooley is ranked among the sport's elite talents, trailing only Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson, Adam Fantilli, and Matvei Michkov. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1629639532625768448?s=20'> </a></blockquote></div> Meanwhile, Clayton Keller has already established himself as a bona fide NHL star. With an impressive performance last season, Keller notched 86 points in 82 games, cementing his position among the league's finest players. Notably, Keller outperformed Matthews in terms of total points with 86 as opposed to Matthews' 85. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/spittinchiclets/status/1642583315982036993?s=20'> </a></blockquote></div> While the Coyotes would unquestionably gain the upper hand in acquiring the trade's centerpiece, Auston Matthews, the Maple Leafs would receive a well-balanced roster boost with the addition of Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley. Furthermore, the Leafs would also secure an early second-round pick, ensuring future prospects for the organization. As trade discussions continue to unfold, hockey fans eagerly await the outcome of this potentially league-changing deal, which could witness Auston Matthews returning to his roots in Arizona. As seen on Hockey Patrol - <a href='https://www.hockeypatrol.com/nhl/trades/Trade-Proposal-Emerges-Sending-Auston-Matthews-To-His-Hometown-Team' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Trade Proposal Emerges Sending Matthews To His Hometown Team</a>