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Maple Leafs Analyst Proposes Shocking Auston Matthews Trade After Embarrassing Season End

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated May 21, 2025 1:26 PM ET

The media in Toronto has always been hard on the team, but now after their latest playoff failure, one analyst has proposed trading captain Auston Matthews.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have high expectations, but for the ninth straight season in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they were eliminated before the Eastern Conference Finals, and this time, it's likely to lead to some massive changes.

As a result, many believe that free agent forward Mitch Marner is as good as gone, but now, one analyst has taken it a step further, as The Athletic's Sean McIndoe has stated that no one on this team should be safe, suggesting the team should consider moving captain Auston Matthews.

'Nobody should be safe after those last few games. That includes Matthews, by the way - yes, he has no-trade and no-movement protection, but that's not no-discussion protection, so go ahead and see what's out there. William Nylander and Morgan Rielly, too. Don't close any doors.'

McIndoe isn't the only one talking about this however, as many fans on social media have suggested that No. 34 doesn't have what it takes to succeed what it matters most, with many hoping the team can move him this off-season.

It's highly unlikely to happen, as the team handed over the reigns of the organization to him last season by naming him their new captain, but after his performance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it's easy to see where the frustration comes from.

Perhaps if the team can replace Marner with someone that helps Matthews in the post-season, things could be different in 2025/26, but for now, the entire fanbase is incredibly frustrated with their captain, and unless things change, it's going to continue for as long as he's in Toronto.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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