Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Latest Ranking In Media Is Concerning

Tuesday, May 05, 2026

 


Toronto Maple Leafs fans have had a chaotic week, and it's only Tuesday. The team hired John Chayka as general manager and brought back Mats Sundin in a role of "Senior Executive Advisor, Hockey Operations", which many construe as guardrails for the front office. 

In other concerning news, there are questions regarding Auston Matthews' future with the Maple Leafs after his statement on locker cleanout day. 

"I mean, I can't predict the future," he said Thursday during the team's breakup day at Ford Performance Centre. "Obviously, there's steps that kind of have to take place. They're going to hire new leadership in management and stuff like that. So, you know, I don't really know.

A future uncertain, and a team suffering from dysfunction, fans hearing news of Matthew's lack of commitment to the team is an issue that will need to be addressed by Chayka sooner, rather than later. 

"I think that's kind of like I said, I can't really predict the future."

However, with the team turning over a new leaf, metaphorically, they should consider the next steps with Matthews, should he decide not to return to a situation which could be seen as untenable. 

A trade should take place in which the Maple Leafs maximize their value of return, as Matthews is a three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner, has won the Ted Lindsay award, and the Calder Trophy in 2017.

Auston Matthews' Perception As An Elite Player Is Cratering

His value seems to have plummeted recently as perception by the media helps frame the narrative around which trades can manifest, and how other teams' fans see a player. The Hockey News offered a startling view of one of the league's best centers in the modern era. 

They ranked him 27th overall in the league. 


While he's not exactly the best in the world, he was a vital piece in Team USA's gold medal run in 2026. He's also worked on his two-way games in recent years, proving he's more than just an elite sniper, but a solid 200-foot player in the NHL. 

Do you believe The Hockey News is right to rate Auston Matthews the 27th-best player in the NHL? Matthews has played 689 games in the NHL and has scored 780 points (428-352) as a Maple Leaf. 


Brad Penner-Imagn Images

 



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