Auston Matthews isn’t going anywhere - at least, not as long as the Toronto Maple Leafs are in the hunt for a Stanley Cup. That’s the message coming through loud and clear right now, as the star center continues to anchor the Leafs’ lineup during a rocky 2025-26 campaign.
According to NHL insider Chris Johnston, Matthews’ mindset remains laser-focused on one thing: winning. And as long as he believes Toronto is on a path that could realistically lead to a championship, there’s no reason to expect any drama about his future.
Speaking on TSN’s OverDrive, Johnston drew a parallel between Matthews and another franchise cornerstone up north - Connor McDavid. Like McDavid in Edmonton, Matthews has racked up the personal accolades: a Hart Trophy, Rocket Richard titles, and the kind of highlight-reel goals that have defined his career. But now, it’s all about the Cup.
“He's where McDavid is,” Johnston said. “Except McDavid’s been in the last two Cup Finals and hasn’t won. Matthews is at that point where, yeah, he’s done the individual stuff - now he wants to win the Stanley Cup.”
That hunger is matched by a sense of stability. Matthews signed his latest extension - a four-year, $53 million deal - well in advance of hitting unrestricted free agency, locking him in through the 2027-28 season.
That deal, which carries a $13.25 million AAV, wasn’t just about money. It was a signal that he believes in the direction of this team.
And despite the noise that always seems to surround a star player in a major market - especially one born outside of Canada - there’s no indication that Matthews is eyeing the exit. Johnston emphasized that the communication between Matthews, his representatives, and the Leafs front office has remained strong throughout.
“This guy signed a year out last time. Even when he was coming in as an RFA, they got the deal done well in advance,” Johnston noted. “People want to link his birthplace and assume he wants to play somewhere else, but the history just doesn’t support that.”
Still, there’s no sugarcoating the current situation. The Leafs are 24-20-9 and sitting seventh in the Atlantic Division - not exactly where they expected to be at this point in the season. There’s frustration across the organization, from ownership to new team president Keith Pelley, to GM Brad Treliving, head coach Craig Berube, and, yes, Matthews himself.
“This season is not great for anybody,” Johnston said. “The Leafs did not expect to find themselves here.”
That makes the next stretch of games absolutely critical. Johnston pointed to the importance of the current homestand and the games to follow, calling the next five contests a potential turning point for the Leafs’ season.
“Tonight’s game - it sounds crazy - but I think it’s a huge game,” he said. “Sometimes we build up games that don’t really deserve it.
But this one? They need to get at least one win on the back end of this homestand, then go out on the road and get some work done.
Their season is hanging in the balance.”
Even amid the team’s struggles, Matthews has continued to produce. Through 47 games, he’s netted 26 goals and added 19 assists, with a +2 rating - numbers that reflect both his consistency and his ability to impact the game at both ends of the ice.
For now, the Leafs’ fate remains uncertain. But one thing’s clear: Auston Matthews is still all-in. And as long as Toronto shows signs of life, he’s not going anywhere.