Toronto Maple Leafs: Three Teams That Auston Matthews Could Be Traded Too This Summer

Auston Matthews has been with the Toronto Maple Leafs since the 2016-2017 NHL season. He was the number one overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft by Toronto. Matthews has played for this franchise his entire career, but he may be playing elsewhere before his career is over.

Matthews is 28 years old and has not won a Stanley Cup title in his career yet. After the 2025-26 season, he will have two years remaining on his contract. If Toronto decides to trade its core players in the offseason, it will be interesting to see which NHL teams are going to be calling the Maple Leafs.

He just won a gold medal with Team U.S.A. in the Olympics. If Matthews were to be traded, he would probably go to a team that is back home for him in the U.S.A. and not in Canada. Which three teams could potentially trade for him this offseason?

New York Rangers Could Be the Most Ideal Spot for Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews

Even though the New York Rangers are not a playoff team this season, there is no doubt that the Rangers would be interested in acquiring a superstar player this offseason. The Rangers will have more than $28 million in cap space this offseason. This would be an interesting decision for New York.

Matthews would be reunited with Team U.S.A. head coach Mike Sullivan. Sullivan would know how to get the best out of him. He would get him to play offense and defense. The New York media is no doubt loud, but the Toronto media is no doubt harsher towards him. The Rangers would be a better team with him on the roster next season.

San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks are in the playoff race in the Western Conference. San Jose may just fall short of making it this season, but they may be close to making it next season. The Sharks have two promising superstars on the roster in Macklin Celebrini and Michael Misa.

San Jose will have the most cap space this offseason at over $54 million. The Sharks can no doubt make moves to build around its two young promising superstars. Trading for Matthews would make this team a playoff team no question in 2026-27. He would be able to get back into the U.S.A. and get to California. Matthews and Celebrini on the same power play would become lethal for the Sharks.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have not been a contending team in quite some time, but Chicago may look to make a big move in the offseason. Connor Bedard needs another star player on the roster beside him. Trading for Matthews would help Bedard and get the Blackhawks back into the playoffs conversation.

Chicago will have the second-most cap space this offseason at over $48 million. During the 2025-26 with Toronto, Matthews has played in 54 games and has scored 26 goals and has recorded 25 assists, along with a plus/minus rating of 0. It would be nice to see Bedard and Matthews on the same power play for the Blackhawks. Chicago is also going to have two first round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft and one of those picks is from the Florida Panthers.