Will the Maple Leafs trade Auston Matthews after winning top 2026 NHL Draft pick?
Could Auston Matthews be on his way out in Toronto?
The Toronto Maple Leafs shocked the NHL world on Tuesday night by winning the first pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. What does that mean for superstar Leafs center Auston Matthews? 2026 NHL Mock Draft: Projecting the first 10 picks Matthews cast some doubt on his future with the franchise earlier this week after a down year in Toronto.
However, the Maple Leafs winning the first pick could change his trajectory with the Leafs. 2026 NHL Draft Order: Where each team will pick in the 1st round Superstar Penn State winger Gavin McKenna joining the Maple Leafs could give Matthews a potentially elite scorer to grow with in Toronto, which could give him extra incentive to stick around. However, winning the top pick could entice Toronto to sell now on Matthews with McKenna within reach.
How the NHL franchise handles this dynamic will be fascinating. While the Leafs have endured some bumps lately , it's very possible winning the 2026 NHL Draft lottery could change things for the team. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Will the Maple Leafs trade Auston Matthews after winning top 2026 NHL Draft pick?