Auston Matthews’ iPad Habit Raises Eyebrows, But the Bigger Question Is Leadership
Auston Matthews is one of the most electrifying players in the NHL today - a lethal scorer, a two-way force, and now the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. But lately, it’s not just his play on the ice that’s drawing attention. It’s what he’s doing on the bench.
After most of his shifts, Matthews has been spotted reaching for the team iPad. It’s become a regular routine - a quick film session right there on the bench, reviewing his last shift or analyzing the opposition in real time.
In today’s data-driven game, that kind of instant feedback isn’t unusual. Plenty of players use tech to gain an edge.
But when it becomes a constant, it starts to raise questions - especially when the team is struggling.
Former Leafs forward Jay Rosehill didn’t hold back when discussing Matthews’ tablet time on Leafs Morning Take. “Is the iPad thing normal?”
he asked. “I’ve seen others, but I’ve never seen a guy look at a f--ing iPad so much.
It’s like an addiction… he’s just like, ‘Give me the iPad. Give me the screen.’”
Rosehill didn’t stop there. He suggested the behavior reflects something deeper about Matthews’ approach - that it’s more inward-focused than team-oriented.
“That's kind of a microcosm of how he operates,” Rosehill said. “It’s nothing that’s getting the boys together.
It’s nothing that’s thinking about others.”
That’s a strong take. And while Matthews’ commitment to studying his shifts isn’t inherently a bad thing - in fact, it’s part of what makes him elite - the criticism touches on something bigger than just screen time.
It’s about leadership. When you're wearing the “C” in a market like Toronto, every action is magnified.
Watching video during a game might be about self-improvement, but leadership often requires connection - with teammates, with the bench energy, with the pulse of the game beyond just your own performance.
To be fair, Matthews continues to deliver on the ice. He’s still producing, still driving play, and remains the centerpiece of this Leafs roster.
But with Toronto recently mired in a six-game losing streak, frustrations have started to bubble up - from fans, media, and now former players. That kind of skid puts a spotlight on everything: body language, bench demeanor, and yes, even iPad usage.
The good news for the Leafs? They snapped that losing streak with a gritty 3-2 shootout win in Vancouver on Saturday night. It wasn’t perfect, but it was the kind of win that can reset a locker room and maybe quiet some of the noise - at least for now.
As for Matthews, the iPad isn’t going anywhere. And truthfully, neither is the scrutiny.
That’s life as the captain of the Maple Leafs. But if this team is going to find its rhythm again and make a serious push, it’ll take more than just elite play.
It’ll take leadership that shows up in every corner of the bench - even when the screen is off.