Is It Time for the Maple Leafs to Consider Trading Auston Matthews?
The 2025-26 season has not been kind to the Toronto Maple Leafs. A team that entered the year with playoff aspirations now finds itself on the outside looking in-and barring a dramatic turnaround, they'll be watching the postseason from home.
That alone is a shock to the system for a franchise built around perennial playoff appearances. But with the wheels coming off and the core aging, it's fair to ask: if the Leafs miss the playoffs, should they explore trading Auston Matthews this summer?
It's a question that would've seemed unthinkable not long ago. But now, it's staring the organization in the face.
The Marner Trade Was the Beginning of the End
The first real signal that the Leafs were ready to shake things up came when they dealt Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights. That move wasn’t just a roster shuffle-it was a seismic shift.
Since that trade, the Leafs haven’t looked like themselves. The offense, once among the league’s most dangerous, has sputtered.
The power play has lost its edge. And without Marner’s playmaking alongside Matthews, the top line no longer strikes fear into opponents the way it once did.
Now, with the team’s core mostly in their late 20s or early 30s, Toronto is staring at the reality of a roster that may have peaked. And if that’s the case, it might be time to hit the reset button.
Matthews’ Contract and the Clock Ticking
Matthews still has two years left on his deal after this season, and he holds a no-movement clause-meaning he controls whether or not he gets traded. But for the first time in his NHL career, he’s facing the possibility of missing the playoffs. That’s no small thing for a player who’s been the face of the franchise since day one.
You have to wonder what’s going through his mind. He’s been a consistent producer, a leader, and a player who’s lived up to the hype.
But if the Leafs are trending downward, does he want to stick around for a rebuild? That’s a conversation both sides may need to have this summer.
And Matthews isn’t the only one. John Tavares, now 35, is still chasing that elusive Stanley Cup.
He re-upped with the Leafs this offseason, but realistically, is Toronto the place where he finally gets over the hump? Morgan Rielly, meanwhile, is locked into a long-term deal with a no-movement clause of his own.
The Leafs’ blue line has struggled even with Rielly in the mix, and moving him would be difficult-both financially and structurally.
Brad Treliving’s Vision Under the Microscope
General manager Brad Treliving is under pressure, and rightfully so. His tenure in Toronto has yet to produce the kind of results fans expected.
After a rocky stint in Calgary, questions are now being asked about whether he’s the right architect to lead this franchise into its next phase. If the Leafs miss the playoffs and opt to become sellers, Treliving will be tasked with one of the most consequential decisions in franchise history: whether or not to trade Auston Matthews.
Olympic Spotlight Could Boost Matthews’ Value
If Toronto does decide to explore a Matthews trade, the timing might actually work in their favor. The 2026 Winter Olympics are right around the corner, and Matthews will have a global stage to remind everyone just how elite he is. A strong showing in February could send his trade value soaring.
Yes, he had a tough moment in the 4 Nations final-missing a defensive assignment in overtime that led to Connor McDavid’s golden goal-but that doesn’t erase what Matthews brings to the table. He’s still one of the most lethal goal scorers in the world, and Olympic ice offers him a chance to prove it again.
A dominant Olympic performance could be the perfect storm for the Leafs. It would give Matthews a confidence boost heading into the stretch run-and if the team ultimately decides to move him, it could drive up the return significantly.
We’re talking about a potential blockbuster: multiple first-round picks, a couple of blue-chip prospects, and a young NHL-ready player. Think of the kind of haul Carolina got for Mikko Rantanen-Toronto could expect something in that ballpark, if not more.
Building the Next Core: Nylander, Knies, and the Kids
If Toronto goes the rebuild route, the foundation is already partially in place. William Nylander and Matthew Knies are both signed through 2030, and both have shown they can be key pieces moving forward. Nylander continues to be one of the league’s most dynamic wingers, and Knies has the size, skill, and two-way game to grow into a top-line power forward.
Behind them, Easton Cowan is the name to watch. The 20-year-old was a standout in the OHL, helping lead the London Knights to a Memorial Cup title.
He hasn’t quite found his NHL rhythm yet, but the tools are there. Patience will be key, but there’s real upside.
On the blue line, Ben Danford and Miroslav Holinka are the top prospects in the pipeline. Danford is wrapping up his fifth OHL season with a loaded Brantford Bulldogs team, while Holinka has been a force with the Edmonton Oil Kings, racking up 62 points in 42 games. Neither is NHL-ready just yet, but both offer promise in a system that badly needs more homegrown talent on the back end.
One name no longer in the mix: Fraser Minten. Once considered a key piece of the Leafs’ future, he was dealt to Boston in a trade that’s aging poorly.
Brandon Carlo, the return in that deal, has underwhelmed. Meanwhile, Minten is thriving with the Bruins, enjoying a breakout season that’s only adding salt to the wound in Toronto.
Big Decisions Ahead
The Leafs are at a crossroads. If they miss the playoffs, the front office will have to ask itself some hard questions-starting with whether the Auston Matthews era has run its course. Trading a franchise cornerstone is never easy, but if the organization believes it can’t win with this core, now might be the time to pivot.
With Olympic exposure potentially boosting Matthews’ value and a young foundation already in place, the Leafs could set themselves up for a faster turnaround than most rebuilds. But it all starts with one bold decision.
Is Toronto ready to make it?