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The Toronto Maple Leafs may have eased some growing tension surrounding captain Auston Matthews after a critical offseason meeting with the organization’s new leadership group.
Speaking on the 32 Thoughts podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that Matthews recently held a lengthy Zoom meeting with new general manager John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin following Toronto’s disastrous 2025-26 season.
Friedman said the early signs coming out of the discussion were positive
“There’s still a lot that has to happen here, but I heard it was a positive meeting,” Friedman said. “I don’t think, I mean, right now we’re all watching the smoke signals, right? Like, is there anything problematic here? Is there anything for Toronto to worry about in terms of the way Matthews feels or anything like that?
“And I checked with as many people as I could, and I was told that right now things are in a good place. There’s still more decisions that have to be made here, but for the first meeting they had, the first lengthy meeting they had, I was told there was nothing that raised any alarms or raised any concerns.
“And right now things are in a good place between Matthews and the organization.”
The update comes after months of speculation around Matthews’ long-term future in Toronto. The Maple Leafs collapsed to a 32-36-14 record this season, finishing last in the Atlantic Division and missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2016.
MORE: Auston Matthews has limited say in Maple Leafs coaching search
Matthews’ season ended on March 12 after he suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion. Before the injury, the captain recorded 27 goals and 26 assists for 53 points in 60 games.
Toronto’s collapse forced major organizational changes. The club fired general manager Brad Treliving and brought in Chayka to lead the front office alongside franchise icon Mats Sundin.
Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley with Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka (left) and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Leafs also won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, giving the franchise the No. 1 overall pick and a chance to draft elite prospect Gavin McKenna. That development could become a major piece in convincing Matthews that the organization can rebound quickly instead of entering a long rebuild.
Questions about Matthews intensified after his non-committal end-of-season comments fueled rumors about possible frustration with the team’s direction. Matthews remains under contract through 2027-28 with a $13.25 million cap hit and a full no-movement clause.
“I mean, I can’t predict the future,” Matthews said in mid-April in the Maple Leafs players’ last press conference. “Obviously, there’s steps that kind of have to take place… So, you know, I don’t really know.”
MORE: Maple Leafs staring at rebuild if Auston Matthews wants out
The latest meeting has helped calm immediate concerns, but Toronto still faces major pressure this offseason. The roster needs defensive upgrades, secondary scoring help, and better structural depth after allowing 299 goals in 2025-26.
For now, though, the Maple Leafs appear to have avoided another major problem heading into a critical summer.
Continue reading...
Speaking on the 32 Thoughts podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that Matthews recently held a lengthy Zoom meeting with new general manager John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin following Toronto’s disastrous 2025-26 season.
Friedman said the early signs coming out of the discussion were positive
“There’s still a lot that has to happen here, but I heard it was a positive meeting,” Friedman said. “I don’t think, I mean, right now we’re all watching the smoke signals, right? Like, is there anything problematic here? Is there anything for Toronto to worry about in terms of the way Matthews feels or anything like that?
“And I checked with as many people as I could, and I was told that right now things are in a good place. There’s still more decisions that have to be made here, but for the first meeting they had, the first lengthy meeting they had, I was told there was nothing that raised any alarms or raised any concerns.
“And right now things are in a good place between Matthews and the organization.”
The update comes after months of speculation around Matthews’ long-term future in Toronto. The Maple Leafs collapsed to a 32-36-14 record this season, finishing last in the Atlantic Division and missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2016.
MORE: Auston Matthews has limited say in Maple Leafs coaching search
Matthews’ season ended on March 12 after he suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion. Before the injury, the captain recorded 27 goals and 26 assists for 53 points in 60 games.
Maple Leafs trying to stabilize franchise direction
Toronto’s collapse forced major organizational changes. The club fired general manager Brad Treliving and brought in Chayka to lead the front office alongside franchise icon Mats Sundin.
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Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley with Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka (left) and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Leafs also won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, giving the franchise the No. 1 overall pick and a chance to draft elite prospect Gavin McKenna. That development could become a major piece in convincing Matthews that the organization can rebound quickly instead of entering a long rebuild.
Questions about Matthews intensified after his non-committal end-of-season comments fueled rumors about possible frustration with the team’s direction. Matthews remains under contract through 2027-28 with a $13.25 million cap hit and a full no-movement clause.
“I mean, I can’t predict the future,” Matthews said in mid-April in the Maple Leafs players’ last press conference. “Obviously, there’s steps that kind of have to take place… So, you know, I don’t really know.”
MORE: Maple Leafs staring at rebuild if Auston Matthews wants out
The latest meeting has helped calm immediate concerns, but Toronto still faces major pressure this offseason. The roster needs defensive upgrades, secondary scoring help, and better structural depth after allowing 299 goals in 2025-26.
For now, though, the Maple Leafs appear to have avoided another major problem heading into a critical summer.
Continue reading...
