Auston Matthews is one point away from a slice of Maple Leafs history, and the timing could hardly be better for Toronto.
The Leafs open their Western road trip in Calgary after rolling into the night on a four-game winning streak and fresh off a 7-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers. The Flames won’t be a soft landing, either. They’re coming off a win over the reigning Stanley Cup champions, which makes Monday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome a real test for Toronto.
But the headline belongs to Matthews. He’s sitting on 799 career points and needs just one more to become the fastest player to 800 points in Maple Leafs franchise history.
That would move him past Darryl Sittler, who reached the mark in 742 games. Matthews can do it in his 703rd game, and at this point it feels less like a question of if and more like when.
That milestone matters because Matthews’ future in Toronto has been a topic of conversation, and this version of the Leafs gives him reasons to stay. He is in the middle of a hot stretch, but it’s not just about the raw scoring. He has become a more complete player, and the results are showing.
Through 13 games, Matthews has 19 points and nine goals. He already has more four-point games this season than he had over the previous two years under Craig Berube. His pace has been sharper, his shot has come off quicker, and he’s already up to seven power-play points after finishing with 12 all of last year.
The bigger shift is around him. Instead of a lineup that felt pieced together without much direction, Matthews is playing with a group that, as the source put it, is “all playing for each other.” The support down the roster has changed the feel of the team and taken some of the burden off the captain.
That includes the fourth line, which has added a level of protection Matthews hasn’t always had. He doesn’t have the same high-pressure defensive load, and he no longer has to handle defensive-zone face-offs because Colton Sissons, Nick Paul, and Teddy Blueger are there too.
Zack MacEwen and Brandon Duhaime also bring the willingness to drop the gloves or handle rough spots when the game turns ugly. That’s a different kind of support than the old David Kampf/Calle Jarnkrok scenario.
Easton Cowan may also be part of the picture. Matthews was full of praise for Cowan’s maturity, and that kind of endorsement stands out. Gavin McKenna aside, the feeling is that Matthews may have found his Mitch Marner replacement for good.
There’s also the emotion Matthews is showing now, which the source described as something you wouldn’t expect to see in October. Toronto’s reaction after a regular-season game against New York looked like a last-minute winner in Game 7 of the Conference Finals.
It all points to a very different setting for Matthews than the one he had a year ago. There are still wrinkles to smooth out, but this may be the strongest group he has played with since the Leafs drafted him.
And if Toronto keeps winning, the path to keeping Matthews could get even clearer. He could strengthen that future again this summer by extending in Toronto for the rest of his career.
In Other News...
Maple Leafs Face One Big Trade Question On Their Blue Line
The Maple Leafs blue line remains a clear area of focus as the front office looks for a way to make the defense harder to play against. General manager John Chayka is reportedly searching for a defender who can handle top-four minutes, stay at home, and help the club move the puck out of its own zone more cleanly.
What makes this search especially interesting is the type of player Toronto appears to have in mind, the kind who can steady the back end without needing to carry the offense. Simon Edvinsson and Adam Pelech have been mentioned among the possible targets, but nothing has been finalized yet, leaving the Leafs with a familiar question: how far will they go to solve that side of the ice? [Read more 🡒]
Oilers May Regret Letting This Depth Defenseman Get Away
Troy Stechers move from Edmonton to Toronto last November looked like a depth swap at the time, but it has played out as one of those quiet roster decisions that can linger all season. Claimed off waivers by the Maple Leafs, the veteran defenseman has found a clearer path into the lineup and has been able to contribute more than he did with the Oilers, where his role never really took hold.
For Toronto, the timing has mattered as much as the player. Injuries on the blue line have opened the door for Stecher to see more ice and even chip in offensively, giving the Leafs an extra option on the back end when they needed one. For Edmonton, it is a reminder that a useful depth defender can look a lot more valuable once he lands in a situation with a real opportunity to play. [Read more 🡒]
Hurricanes Just Missed On A Goalie Move Fans Will Feel
The goaltending market was active enough to leave a ripple far beyond Carolina, where the Hurricanes explored several ways to land Connor Hellebuyck but never got close enough to Winnipegs asking price. For Toronto fans watching the rest of the league move around the crease, it is the kind of deal that matters even when it does not involve the Maple Leafs directly, because it shapes the competition the Leafs may see down the road.
What made the pursuit sting for Carolina was how close it appears to have come before the price climbed out of reach, with the Jets driving a hard bargain as the Devils ultimately completed the move. For a Leafs team always tracking how the top Eastern rivals improve, it is another reminder that one bold front-office decision can change the balance of power, even if the original suitor walks away empty-handed. [Read more 🡒]