Insider Reveals Latest on Auston Matthews' Intentions with Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews

Leafs Nation is holding its breath for words from the captain himself this week. Auston Matthews is expected to answer a number of questions at the team's locker cleanout day on Thursday. But in the meantime, insider Chris Johnston reports that Matthews is still bought in to staying with the Toronto Maple Leafs. But there's a big caveat.

"All things equal, Auston Matthews still wants to be a Maple Leaf, but he needs to have some confidence that can happen here"

This morning on #FirstUp, @reporterchris shared the latest with Matthews and his long-term future with #LeafsForever! 👀 pic.twitter.com/YvpGEfgztA
— First Up (@FirstUp1050) April 14, 2026

“All things equal, Matthews still wants to be a Maple Leaf and keep chasing a Stanley Cup, but he needs to have some confidence that can happen here," says Johnston.

"But I don't know how anyone can have confidence in what the Leafs will look like next season until we get an understanding of who's going to run the team and what that person's vision is."

'In a perfect world, Matthews loves being captain of the Leafs'

Clearly, without a president of hockey operations or GM in place, neither Matthews nor anyone else around the team can have a clear picture of what the future holds for themselves or the team. It's hard to say when those hires will be made. Matthews will obviously sit down with the new head of the front office at that time and figure out what's best for him.

"In a perfect world—and it's not always a perfect world—he loves being captain of the Maple Leafs, he appreciates what it is to represent this team," added Johnston. "But he's getting to that age where you kind of get itchy if you haven't really had a chase of the Stanley Cup."

Matthews will be heading into his age-29 season in October, and has just two years left on his $13.25 million AAV contract.

He finished his shortened season with a career low 27 goals and 53 points. He is just two years removed from a 69-goal campaign and the Hart Trophy.