Maple Leafs Insider Hints at Auston Matthews’ Looming Decision

Auston Matthews will not be getting traded before Friday’s deadline, but that doesn’t necessarily mean his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs is set in stone.

The 2025–26 season has not gone the way anyone in the organization expected, and as a result, the direction of the franchise is in serious question for the first time in the Matthews era. For now, the plan appears to be a retool around the captain and William Nylander in hopes of quickly returning to contention. However, that’s far easier said than done, and one insider says the ball will be in Matthews’ court this summer to decide what he wants to do next.

Chris Johnston of TSN discussed Matthews’ future in Toronto during an appearance on OverDrive on Wednesday and pointed out that discussions with the front office this offseason will be vital in determining whether he remains a Maple Leaf long term.

Johnston said:

“But you know it’s going to be a big discussion, I would think, once we get to the off-season in terms of the organization coming to them and laying out what the plan is. It’s especially important with Matthews — he’s got two years beyond this season on his contract — so really by this time in 2027, you’re going to have to have an idea, is he signing? is he staying or not with his extension? I can’t see a world where they take him into the final year of his contract. So, you know, I think that a lot of these conversations will be put off until we get beyond this year, but there’s a lot of frustration naturally. It’s no fun playing these games and being right at the bottom of the division,”

The 28-year-old Matthews is in year two of his four-year, $53 million contract extension signed with the Maple Leafs in 2023, which means he’ll be eligible to extend again come July 1, 2027.

He’s had an inconsistent offensive season by his standards, with 52 points (26 goals, 26 assists) produced in 56 games so far.