He’s been one of the faces of the franchise ever since they selected him with the first overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, and he’s proven himself as one of the NHL’s top goal scorers throughout the bulk of his career.
In fact, Auston Matthews, who is in his second season as the team captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, is only two seasons removed from scoring a whopping 69 goals.
However, the fortunes of the Maple Leafs have experienced a downturn this season. They’ve officially been eliminated from postseason contention for the first time since 2016, coincidentally the first time in Matthews’ career they won’t play beyond the 82nd game of the campaign.
Adding insult to injury, literally, is the fact that Matthews was injured late last month after taking a dirty knee-on-knee hit from Radko Gudas of the Anaheim Ducks, resulting in a Grade 3 MCL sprain and forcing him from the lineup for the remainder of the season following surgery.
While Matthews remains under contract with the Maple Leafs through 2028, there is one notable NHL Insider who believes that his time with the only club he’s played for in his career could soon be coming to a close.
NHL Insider Howard Berger Believes The Toronto Maple Leafs Could Soon Trade Auston Matthews
According to Maple Leafs Insider Howard Berger, who was a radio analyst on THE FAN-590 for 23 years (1988-2011), the Maple Leafs will be moving on from Matthews and could even trade him somewhere at or near the West Coast.
Berger explained recently that he received information from a source that had proven reliable throughout his career indicating that Matthews will be traded by the Maple Leafs to one of three teams – the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, or Utah Mammoth.
“The text message came out of nowhere; clearly in response to my recurrent theme about Auston Matthews, yet unsolicited,” Berger began. “From a man with whom I haven’t been in recent contact, yet a good source of information throughout my media career. ‘Got something for you,’ began the text. ‘Your favorite captain will be traded, this summer, to one of three western teams: Anaheim, Los Angeles or Utah. Mark it down. [Auston] won’t be back with the Leafs.'”
Berger continued:
“Nothing about this sent shockwaves through my system; nor should it yours. Matthews has been in steady decline the past two seasons and is currently recovering from surgery to repair the medial–collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee — damaged, Mar. 12, by the greasy hit from Radko Gudas of the Ducks.”
The Maple Leafs Have Already Two Major Changes Since The End Of Last Season
A potential trade of Matthews would represent just the latest major organizational shakeup that began last offseason when Mitch Marner was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights.
That trade was executed by general manager Brad Treliving, whom the Maple Leafs officially parted ways with earlier this week.
If the Maple Leafs were to move on from Matthews, it would be just the most recent in a series of monumental moves by a franchise still with only two postseason series wins since 2004.
NHL Insider: Auston Matthews As Good As Gone From Maple Leafs