NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman hints at Toronto Maple Leafs’ major offseason trade decision on Auston Matthews

As trade rumors surrounding Auston Matthews have dominated and gained traction in recent weeks, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman has recently dropped a hint at the Toronto Maple Leafs’ big offseason trade decision. The speculation has gained momentum these days as the club made significant organizational changes this week, including the dismissal of GM Brad Treliving, while the head coach Craig Berube, with the team, also remains uncertain.

Earlier, NHL Insider Darren Dreger suggested that top NHL teams like the San Jose Sharks and the Utah Mammoth have emerged as potential trade fits for Matthews, if the Maple Leafs star decides to move.

Meanwhile, Matthews is in his recovery period as he suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion during a knee-on-knee collision with Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas. It is to be noted that, till his injury, Matthews had 53 points (27 goals, 26 assists) in 77 games this season for the Maple Leafs (32-31-14).

Elliotte Friedman hints at big offseason changes for the Maple Leafs on Auston Matthews’ trade decision

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has hinted that the Toronto Maple Leafs are heading toward a potentially transformative offseason, with significant roster and organizational changes expected following a disappointing 2025-26 campaign. The Maple Leafs captain, Auston Matthews, has been dominating the headlines amid trade speculation, as the team is missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

Elliotte Friedman said that Auston Matthews’ future with the Toronto Maple Leafs is not fully decided yet and could depend on how the team performs at the start of next season. Speaking on his April 3 episode of 32 Thoughts stated, “This is my theory, it’s purely my theory based on what I heard this week, is they’re gonna tell him, ‘We’re back on track next year or trying to be, and come back at the start of the year, and let’s see how it goes.'” Friedman said.


He further pointed out the example of the Vancouver Canucks handling Quinn Hughes, who waited to be evaluated in their season before trading Hughes to the Minnesota Wild in early December, a move that ultimately signaled the beginning of a rebuild after their season began to go off track.

“Like, I think the Quinn Hughes thing, every player in that league, every team in that league saw how the Quinn Hughes thing played out this year,” Friedman said. “And that is that you start the year, you see how it goes, and then if it goes off the rails, you adjust as necessary,” Friedman said. “We’ll see. I could be wrong about that. But that’s my theory right now," he further stated.

It is to be noted that Matthews will remain under contract through the 2027-28 season on a four-year contract. However, his full no-movement clause gives him complete control over any potential move without his consent or decision.

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