No, Auston Matthews Isn’t Getting Traded - And If He Was, It Wouldn’t Look Anything Like This
Every NHL fan has seen their fair share of wild mock trades. Some are fun, some are interesting, and some… well, some make you do a double take and ask, “Wait, what?” That’s exactly the reaction many had when a recent proposal floated the idea of the Toronto Maple Leafs trading Auston Matthews to the San Jose Sharks.
Yes, that Auston Matthews - former Hart Trophy winner, face of the Leafs, and one of the most lethal goal scorers on the planet.
In this particular mock deal, the Leafs would send Matthews packing in exchange for Collin Graf, Shakir Mukhamadullin, John Klingberg, and a few draft picks. Let’s be clear: that’s not even in the same galaxy as a fair return. It’s the kind of package you might offer for a second-line winger or a solid top-four defenseman - not for a generational center who can tilt the ice every time he hops over the boards.
To make matters more confusing, the idea of Matthews being on the trade block has already been shut down by someone who would know - NHL insider Elliotte Friedman. According to Friedman, there’s been recent communication between Matthews’ camp and the Maple Leafs, and both sides remain fully committed to each other.
Despite the ups and downs of the season, nothing has changed. Matthews wants to be in Toronto, and the Leafs want him there.
End of story.
Why Matthews Isn’t Going Anywhere
This isn’t just about loyalty or sentimentality. Matthews holds a no-move clause, which gives him full control over his future.
If he doesn’t want to leave, he won’t. And based on Friedman’s report, there’s no indication he’s even considering it.
The Leafs, for their part, aren’t signaling any desire to move on, either. That’s especially important given the team’s current trajectory.
Toronto isn’t heading for a full-scale rebuild. If anything, they’re eyeing a retool - tweaking around the edges, not tearing down the core.
Trading Matthews would signal a complete reset, and that’s not where this organization is at. So unless something dramatic changes, this mock trade is pure fiction.
If Matthews Were to Be Traded, the Return Would Be Monumental
Let’s play along for a moment. Hypothetically, if the Leafs did entertain moving Matthews, the return would have to be massive - think franchise-altering. We’re talking multiple premium assets: top prospects, first-round picks, and NHL-ready players with star potential.
A recent real-world example worth referencing is the Quinn Hughes blockbuster to Minnesota. Vancouver walked away with Marco Rossi, Liam Öhgren, defenseman Zeev Buium, and a 2026 first-round pick.
That’s a serious haul - and Hughes is a defenseman. Matthews, as an elite center, would command even more.
So what would a realistic Matthews-to-San-Jose deal look like? Start with a first-round pick.
Then add a high-end prospect like Sam Dickinson or Michael Misa. William Eklund would almost certainly need to be included.
And even that might not be enough. The Leafs would also want an established NHLer - someone who can step in and contribute immediately.
Alex Wennberg could be a fit, especially with the chemistry potential alongside fellow Swede William Nylander. He does have a no-trade clause, but the idea of playing on a contending team might be enough to at least spark a conversation. On defense, if Dickinson’s not part of the package, then someone like Mario Ferraro - or even a reunion with Timothy Liljegren - would make sense.
Bottom line: it would take a lot for the Leafs to even pick up the phone. Matthews is a top-five player in the league, and arguably the best to ever wear the blue and white. You don’t move a guy like that unless you’re absolutely blown away by the offer - and the Sharks’ mock proposal doesn’t come close.
Reality Check
So let’s bring this back to earth. Auston Matthews isn’t going anywhere.
Not now, and not in the foreseeable future. The Leafs and Matthews are aligned, the commitment is mutual, and the idea of trading him - especially for a return that light - is pure fantasy.
Still, it’s always fun to kick around hypothetical trades. Just remember: when you’re talking about moving a player of Matthews’ caliber, the price tag starts sky-high - and only goes up from there.