NHL rumor: Pierre Lebrun predicts Auston Matthews to play with the Toronto Maple Leafs next season amid trade speculation

As the Toronto Maple Leafs are going through a huge roster change after going through a disappointing NHL season, uncertainty continues to loom around Auston Matthews’ career and future with the team. But, NHL insider Pierre Lebrun predicted that Matthews is likely to stay with the Toronto Maple Leafs and play the next season amid trade speculation.After the club went through a major front office and coaching staff transformation, including hiring John Chayka as general manager, there were rumors that Auston Matthews may want to leave the Maple Leafs. However, the rumor has been put to rest. In fact, earlier reports also suggested that the Maple Leafs are not interested in trading the captain anytime soon during the NHL offseason. Speculation floating around the future of Auston Matthews continues to be a major talking point after a disappointing season for the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun believes that all signs currently point toward Matthews remaining in Toronto for the 2026-27 campaign.According to LeBrun, “All signs point to Auston Matthews staying put and playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs next season. Matthews’ agent, Judd Moldaver, hasn’t formally indicated that to the Leafs, but that’s where it’s very much trending from what I understand. When the season ended, there was no GM in Toronto. There were so many unknowns, and it was natural for Matthews to have questions.”According to LeBrun, recent developments suggest that the organization has created optimism that Matthews will stay with the franchise despite months of trade speculation. The player and the club have arrived at this decision after the team's new leadership group has helped strengthen the belief. Meanwhile, the insider stated that the situation currently appears to be trending toward Matthews rather than seeking a move elsewhere.Earlier, Auston Matthews had to take a long hiatus from the Toronto Maple Leafs as he was sidelined for the remainder of the season due to his Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion, which he sustained in a knee-on-knee collision with Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas.Matthews missed a large part of the season. In 60 games this season, he was able to find the back of the net 27 times while having 26 assists. Overall, he has played 689 games, scoring 428 goals and adding 352 helpers. Though nothing has been confirmed about his stay with the team, moving an elite player of Matthews’ caliber would be an enormous gamble and would be among the hardest tasks.