Auston Matthews' role in Maple Leafs' upcoming rebuild revealed
The captain is in a big spot.
Auston Matthews' role in Maple Leafs' upcoming rebuild revealed originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Auston Matthews speculation has included a little bit of everything.
A nightmare season for the Toronto Maple Leafs has put the captain into contract and trade rumors of every shape and size. The reality, though? It's a little simpler.
The Leafs are going to try and re-tool, rather than rebuild. They want to win games in a major way in 2026-27. And as for Matthews -- he'll be at the heart of it.
NHL insider David Pagnotta spoke with Daily Faceoff about what's coming next for Matthews, who has two years remaining on his current contract. It sounds like Matthews is going to be trusted to help make some decisions when the offseason arrives. "It’s a matter of having that discussion with the captain, Auston Matthews, which will happen after the season," Pagnotta said, via Daily Faceoff .