Auston Matthews' Future With Maple Leafs Discussed by GM Amid NHL Trade Rumors

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka weighed in on Auston Matthews' future with the team after recently visiting him.

"What I saw was a happy captain," Chayka said Friday, per ESPN's Kristen Shilton. "[Someone] who's got a lot of pride in being the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, someone who wants to win in Toronto, which aligns with how we're thinking about it."

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic previously reported that Matthews was "most likely staying put" during the 2026 offseason, although he "can yet commit 100 percent to that."

The 28-year-old was also noncommittal regarding his long-term future with the Maple Leafs in April.

"I can't predict the future," Matthews said at the time, via Shilton. "There are steps that have to take place. They have to hire new leadership and management. I don't know what's going to happen. I think that's kind of ... like I said, I can't really predict the future."

Matthews has two seasons remaining on the four-year, $53 million contract that he signed with Toronto in Aug. 2023.

The Maple Leafs finished at the bottom of the Atlantic Division standings with a 32-36-14 record in their 2025-26 campaign, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

While Matthews' season came to an early end due to an MCL tear, he still suited up in 60 games during the regular season. He amassed 27 goals and 26 assists.