Auston Matthews Returning to Toronto Maple Leafs

Breathe easy Leafs Nation, Auston Matthews isn't going anywhere.

After months of speculation brewed about the future of the Maple Leafs' captain, he has told general manager John Chayka that he's all in moving forward, and is aligned with Chayka's offseason, and long-term direction of the team. Whether he signs another contract extension next summer remains unknown at this time, but Matthews won't be traded this summer.

The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun commented recently on Matthews' future, and had this to say:

All signs point to Auston Matthews staying put and playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs next season.

Matthews’ agent, Judd Moldaver, hasn’t formally indicated that to the Leafs, but that’s where it’s very much trending from what I understand. When the season ended, there was no GM in Toronto. There were so many unknowns, and it was natural for Matthews to have questions. There still are unknowns as far as what the roster will look like next season, but the conversations between Moldaver and new Leafs GM John Chayka have been cordial, and there’s some level of comfort there about how things are shaping up.

So, unless something dramatic happens in the coming weeks, the Leafs captain will be back next season in Toronto. That’ll be disappointing for a long list of teams that were keeping an eye on how things developed on the Matthews front, including the likes of the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and Utah Mammoth. Then again, there’s always next summer.

Matthews has two seasons left on his contract at $13.2 million AAV, and owns a full no-movement clause. With Gavin McKenna coming, it could give Matthews an elite facilitator for his wing, which he's desperately needed since Mitch Marner peaced out for Vegas.

Matthews has also asked Chayka to reshape the Leafs' blueline as several players asked management to address their depth on defense, and add multiple mobile defencemen, who can advance the puck. There's some big changes coming in Toronto, but their captain is staying put. At least for one more season.

Photo credit:  John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images