Could the unthinkable actually happen in Toronto? According to a recent bombshell report from former Toronto sports beat reporter Howard Berger, a “good source” has indicated that Auston Matthews won’t be back with the Toronto Maple Leafs next season.
The 28-year-old center and team captain is reportedly on the trading block this summer. With his roots in the southwestern United States, Berger’s source claims Matthews would prefer a trade to one of three specific western destinations: the Anaheim Ducks, the Los Angeles Kings, or the Utah Mammoth.
For a player of Matthews’ generational caliber, a trade would reshape the entire NHL landscape. While many fans might quickly dismiss this as standard offseason noise, the proposed trade packages floating around the league are undeniably massive. If the Maple Leafs actually decide to pull the trigger and hit the reset button on their core, the return from a team like the Ducks or Mammoth could alter the franchise’s trajectory for the next decade. Here is what we are hearing.
Evaluating the Blockbuster Packages from the Anaheim Ducks and Utah Mammoth
If Toronto moves their franchise player, they need NHL-ready talent and high-end prospects in return. Let’s look at the rumored packages.
The Anaheim Ducks are reportedly floating a package centered around power forward Mason McTavish, elite young defenseman Pavel Mintyukov, and a first-round pick. As an NHL analyst, I look at this deal and see an immediate win for Toronto’s future. McTavish brings the exact type of playoff grit the Leafs have historically lacked, while Mintyukov is a blue-chip defender who instantly upgrades a perennial area of weakness.
The Utah Mammoth counter-offer is equally tantalizing. Their proposed package includes rising star Tij Iginla, speedy winger JJ Peterka, and a first-round pick. Iginla’s pedigree and scoring touch, combined with Peterka’s proven offensive output, would give Toronto incredible offensive depth and youth. Utah has the cap space and the aggressive ownership required to make a splash like Matthews happen.
Why the Los Angeles Kings Are a Longshot for Auston Matthews
The Los Angeles Kings would obviously love to land Matthews. With Anze Kopitar retiring, the Kings have a massive, glaring hole down the middle of their top line. Matthews is the perfect successor. However, from an asset management perspective, the Kings simply do not have the trade capital to compete in a bidding war with Anaheim or Utah. Unless Matthews uses his leverage to declare L.A. as the only team he will sign an extension with, the Kings will be outgunned in negotiations.
Before Leafs Nation hits the panic button, let’s inject some reality into the situation. There has been no concrete, public indication from Maple Leafs management that they intend to part ways with their captain this summer. Matthews still has two years remaining on his contract. He has the luxury of being patient to see what offseason moves the new General Manager of the Maple Leafs’ make to help the club rebound.
Furthermore, we can’t ignore the ultimate pipe-dream rumor that continues to persist in league circles: the idea that Connor McDavid could test free agency in the summer of 2027 to join the Leafs and team up with Matthews. If Toronto is banking on that ultimate duo, trading Matthews now makes zero sense.
Auston Matthews Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 689 | 428 | 352 | 780 | 147 |
| Playoffs | 68 | 26 | 33 | 59 | 2 |
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