Auston Matthews is heading into September with the kind of spotlight that follows a star who’s looking to remind everybody what he can still do. And one NHL insider thinks the Toronto Maple Leafs captain is set up for exactly that.
Chris Johnston, speaking on TSN’s OverDrive, laid out why he believes Matthews is poised for a big rebound under a new coaching setup. Johnston pointed to the changes made by new general manager John Chayka this offseason, then zeroed in on what could matter most for the center’s production: a healthier season, a different usage plan, and a better team attack around him.
Matthews’ dip wasn’t pinned on one thing. Johnston said injuries were part of the story, but he also made clear the Leafs’ style of play last season didn’t do their top scorer many favors. At the same time, he said Matthews has to own his share of it, too.
The biggest shift, in Johnston’s view, could come from new Maple Leafs coach Jim Hiller. He expects Hiller to put Matthews in more favorable offensive situations than former coach Craig Berube did, giving Toronto’s No. 1 center more room to lean into his strengths.
That’s why Johnston didn’t sound worried about Matthews’ long-term arc. Asked about the future, he said, "I wouldn't bet against Matthews at this stage."
He also noted that Matthews’ early-career goal scoring pace was historically unmatched until the last two seasons brought a noticeable drop. Johnston compared that stretch to Alex Ovechkin’s mid-career dip, saying the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring leader found another gear later on and has kept rolling.
Johnston stopped short of making a hard prediction, but he did sketch out the ingredients he thinks could push Matthews back toward elite territory.
"A healthy season for Auston Matthews, perhaps a renewed look from the coaching staff in terms of how he's used and what offensive situations he's given, the Leafs' power play improves, all these things, I think will lead you back to a world where he's among the better offensive players in the game as he has been multiple seasons in the past."
That’s the path Johnston sees: better health, a different deployment, and a stronger power play. If those pieces come together, the Leafs could get the version of Matthews that’s been one of the league’s most dangerous scorers. For Toronto, that would be the cleanest possible answer to everything that went sideways last season.
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For Toronto, the setting is especially interesting because it gives McKenna and Danford a chance to start building chemistry with current Leafs while absorbing details from veterans who know what it takes to hold down a role in this market. Summer ice time does not decide anything on its own, but it can help a prospect stand out before the real competition begins. If either player is going to push into a bigger future role, moments like these are where the first impression starts to form. [Read more 🡒]
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Because of NHL 35-plus contract rules and Bobrovskys full no-movement clause, the Leafs wont have much wiggle room if the fit goes sideways. The timing makes it more delicate, too, since the deal runs into Auston Matthews final contracted season and could tighten the clubs cap flexibility right when the front office needs it most. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Still Have One Quiet Roster Decision Before Camp
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One path would be inviting a few familiar or useful veterans into camp on PTOs, giving Toronto a closer look without committing to a full-season answer too soon. A depth defenseman like Carson Soucy fits that idea, and so do possible forward reunions with James van Riemsdyk or Michael Bunting, but the bigger question is whether any of those names can make the Leafs more comfortable with the margins of the roster before opening night arrives. [Read more 🡒]