NHL trade rumor: Elliotte Friedman indicates uncertainty within the Toronto Maple Leafs regarding Auston Matthews' trade decision

Trade rumors surrounding Auston Matthews have been gaining traction in recent weeks, as the Maple Leafs captain will remain away for the remainder of the season due to his critical MCL injury. However, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman has recently cleared the air about the trade speculation that is currently brewing.

Earlier, Matthews suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad confusion, an injury severe enough to rule him out for the rest of the 2025-26 regular season. The Toronto Maple Leafs captain has recently undergone surgery as part of his recovery from his severe knee injury sustained in 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 60 games this season for the Maple Leafs (29-28-12), who are 14 points behind the Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman clarifies the Maple Leafs' trade decision on Auston Matthews

Auston Matthews’ injury has fueled speculation about his playoff absence, indicating trade moves. Matthews’ status has been clouded by a Grade‑3 MCL tear suffered in a March 12 matchup with the Anaheim Ducks, which required surgery and will keep him out for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. As he was on the verge of being traded, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman has pushed back the rampant speculation that is doing the rounds around the Toronto Maple Leafs captain.

In fact, Howard Berger had claimed earlier that Matthews could be traded to a Western team like the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, or Utah Mammoth, which fueled the rumor. “Got something for you. Your favorite captain will be traded this summer, to one of three Western teams: Anaheim, Los Angeles, or Utah. Mark it down. [Auston] won’t be back with the Leafs,” Berger quoted his source in his Between the Posts column.


However, Elliotte Friedman has rejected the speculation and clarified in his latest “32 Thoughts” column that it is too early to make any assumption about Matthews’ intentions. Though some changes might occur within the organization, no clear direction has emerged regarding the captain’s future.

“I wouldn’t rush to assume anything about Auston Matthews’ intentions. There is much to play out before we get a true understanding of how he feels. While there are changes coming in Toronto, we don’t yet know what they will be.” Friedman said.

Friedman also suggested that Toronto’s situation is more complex, as they are dealing with injuries, roster balance issues, and long-term planning decisions. These factors influence management’s decisions more than external trade speculation.

For now, Friedman has made it clear that there is still some uncertainty about the Maple Leafs' future direction, but there is no confirmed plan to trade Auston Matthews, as the player is under contract through 2027-28 with a full no-movement clause, making any trade complex.
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