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Auston Matthews Rumours: What Toronto and Detroit Need

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Auston Matthews Rumours: What Toronto and Detroit Need

Originally posted on Inside The Rink
By Alexander DeBerardinis | Last updated Apr 17, 2026 12:24 PM ET

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I can’t imagine anyone in either of these two fan bases is happy with the way this season went. On the one hand, the Maple Leafs were betting on addition by subtraction, hoping to prove Marner was holding them back and a depth-first approach could get it done. On the other hand, the Red Wings looked like they were going to jump on the injured Atlantic foes to get into the postseason.

Needless to say, it didn’t go like that for either team. The Maple Leafs faced a slew of injuries and couldn’t keep the puck out of their own net. The Red Wings couldn’t score when it mattered most, and it led to a tenth year of missing the playoffs.

Worse than in-season problems, both teams seem a little stuck. Being in such a competitive division, both teams need to essentially be top-10 teams in the NHL to be confident about their playoff hopes. The Maple Leafs committed money and assets to their current core, and the future is looking bleak. The Red Wings don’t have the top-end talent that the depth prospects in the system need to support.

But, with recent comments made by both teams, we might see a blockbuster trade that could push the both teams to their best possible futures.

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The Center-Piece

Toronto needs to get younger while still retooling around one of either William Nylander or Auston Matthews. While Matthews is a year older, Nylander makes $2M less and has more term on his deal. If they are going to build around one, the math points to Nylander. The only way Toronto is going to be able to recoup assets is by moving a big player, which is where Auston Matthews comes in.

Since his nuclear 69-goal season, Auston Matthews hasn’t quite been the same. Multiple serious injuries, losing his long-time running mate in Marner and a coach that simply doesn’t cater to his style has led to Matthews looking out of place. Though, even amidst problems this season, the team U.S.A. captain still went nuclear at the Olympics showing that with the right support he can still be the guy.

Matthews at his best is a 6’3″, defensive monster who can score 45 goals in his sleep. If the United States can get him going, where better fit for him than Hockeytown U.S.A.?

What Detroit Can Offer

I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume that without Brad Treliving at the helm, Toronto is going to need a pretty elite package to justify moving the team captain. Fortunately, Detroit has some answers to Toronto’s problems.

As I mentioned, Toronto has a problem keeping the puck out. Without any promising Goaltending prospects and Ben Danford looking pretty ho-hum to this point. Toronto could definitely use some help in their own end. However, losing Auston Matthews would also mean losing a huge boost of their offence. The good news is Detroit has a guy for that.

Axel Sandin-Pellikka was able to tread water for stints in the NHL this season. He scored 21 points in 68 games in the NHL this year averaging 16:11 time-on ice. I don’t think he’s going to become the next Cale Makar or anything, but he looks like he can be a solid 50+ point guy, especially on a good offensive team like Toronto. He’s an offensive, right-shot defenceman. It’s no surprise the Leafs have grown tired of Morgan Rielly. Sandin-Pellikka is a young offensive defenceman with higher upside and lower cost than Rielly who can be a huge part of the rebuild.

After Sandin-Pellikka, Detroit is fortunate to have an incredible goal tending situation. John Gibson has looked fantastic and will start next season without a doubt. The Athletic just put out an article stating Detroit has the 2nd and 3rd best goalie prospects in hockey with Cossa and Augustine. Not to mention 24 year old Michal Postava just posted a .934 in the AHL this season. Toronto is welcome to take their pick of either Cossa or Augustine to sweeten the deal and close out the defensive portion.

Those are the two blue-chip prospects in the deal. But for a player like Matthews, it’ll take a bit more. It will probably take one of Detroit’s centers, Marco Kasper or Nate Danielson. Kasper is far more physical and has shown stretches of great play in his career but his sophomore slump tanked his stock. Danielson is yet to really make a stand at the NHL level but managed 7 points in 28 games in just 11:03 minutes per game. Again, Toronto is welcome to take their choice of center prospects.

Finally, it’ll probably take a solid roster player. I’m looking at Albert Johansson. He’s shown serious flashes of offensive flair while being able to hold down a third pair role easily and even flex to the second pair at times. Add in some high-draft capital and we might have a trade.

Mock Trade

Toronto Receives: Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Trey Augustine, Marco Kasper, Albert Johansson, 2027 1st round pick, 2029 2nd round pick

Detroit Receives: Auston Matthews

Detroit takes the gamble that they can fix Auston Matthews. Toronto gets a gritty center, elite goaltending and defence prospect and a depth addition on the blue line as well as some draft capital to build their team up.

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