Why Auston Matthews’s Future is In Question?

Without question, Auston Matthews is one of the best players in the NHL. Ever since he entered the league he has been considered by most to be a top 5 player in the NHL. In 481 career games, he has 299 goals, and 245 assists, giving him 542 total points. Not only this but since Matthews arrived in Toronto, the Maple Leafs have been a constant playoff team. Sure they’ve won only 1 playoff series, but making the playoffs 7 straight seasons is still impressive. 

Now putting all this into perspective you would think that there is no way Matthews will ever wear another sweater. Even though the Maple Leafs are one of the most historic teams in hockey, without Matthews the Maple Leafs, are still a team mard in mediocrity. The success of this team hinges heavily on the performance of Matthews. Not to mention that Matthews has expressed interest in being a Maple Leaf for life. 

However, despite all of this Matthews’s future in Toronto seems uncertain. Certain events have transpired that have everyone wondering, will Auston Matthews be a Leaf for life? Or will he force his way out of Toronto? Let’s take a look at why this might be the case

What Would Cause Him to Leave the Leafs?

The Toronto Maple Leafs front office has been undergoing major changes over the past couple of weeks. Starting with the departure of general manager Kyle Dubas. Now on its surface, this wouldn’t seem like a big deal. There are plenty of examples of general managers leaving, and superstar players staying through it. Well, this situation is a little different. Matthews and Dubas had a very good relationship. Not only this, but Dubas leaving could be the first domino to fall in the Maple Leafs’ cleaning house. It’s being rumored that Maple Leafs’ head coach Sheldon Keefe is also considering to be leaving the Leafs organization.

That’ll be two people of high importance in the Maple Leafs organization leaving. The people they bring in to replace them will have a major role in how the roster is shaped. The philosophy of the team could be changing. Who’s to say that the new general manager doesn’t believe in this core? What if he feels it’s time for a change? Would Auston Matthews want to sit through a rebuild? Or Matthews only has one year left on his contract, and trading him will get a huge return. Will this new regime think it’s smarter to move on from Matthews so they can get something for him, instead of possibly losing him for nothing?

Where Could Matthews Go?

Chicago Blackhawks

So if Matthews is moved, or does leave the Maple Leafs when he’s a free agent, where could he go? The most likely option would be the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks rebuild just got a major jump-start, after winning the draft lottery, and basically getting Connor Bedard. Bedard is the best prospect the NHL has seen since ironically Matthews. He is a potentially franchise-altering player. I mean in 57 games this season with the WHL Regina Pats, he scored 71 goals, and 72 assists, for a total of 143 points. Bedard is going to have a major and immediate impact on the Blackhawks.

So the Blackhawks have this potential game-changing player, they need to surround him with top-end talent. They need guys around him that will not only allow him to succeed but take some of the pressure off of him. Matthews would fit both of those needs. Not only that but the Blackhawks have over 40 million in cap space, more than enough to sign him long term.

Arizona Coyotes

Another potential team that Matthews could go to is the Arizona Coyotes. This one seems to be more of a long shot. The Coyotes have a lot bigger problems to deal with than which players they are going to bring in. Like which city they are going to play in, or trying to get a new stadium built. However, if there is one thing they can do to bring in some good publicity is bringing in the hometown kid. Matthews famously grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, and was a big Coyotes fan. In fact, Matthews is the main argument people use as to why the Coyotes should stay in Arizona. Citing them as the reason he got into hockey. If Matthews does end up leaving the Maple Leafs he might want to go home. At a time when they need him the most. Sure the Coyotes aren’t ready to compete now, but bringing in a player like Matthews could turn the franchise around. It could generate genuine interest in the team, and save the franchise in Arizona.

The Coyotes seem like a long shot at best. In reality, Matthews will either end up with the Blackhawks or he will stay with the Maple Leafs. However, where ever Matthews ends up he’s going to make an immediate and gigantic impact.

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