Austin Konenski
Auston Matthews and his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs might be the biggest storyline of the 2026 NHL offseason. Following a very disappointing season, Matthews wants to see what the Maple Leafs can accomplish during the offseason before committing to another year. Therefore, there is a possibility that Toronto’s superstar requests a trade this summer.
While it is very unlikely in reality, what would it actually take for Matthews to end up in Detroit? Here is what needs to happen for the Detroit Red Wings.
Auston Matthews must request a trade with Detroit as a destination
The likelihood of Matthews ending up in Detroit feels slim; however, there is one scenario where it can become a reality. In a world where Matthews requests a trade from Toronto, he would have to be willing to play with the Red Wings. This is the first step for Detroit to acquire Matthews.
The 28-year-old center has a full no-movement clause in his contract, meaning he would have to approve any trade from Toronto. There have been several examples, including the 2026 NHL trade deadline, where players decline trades. Most notably, this occurs when a player doesn’t want to play in a specific city.
Matthews will likely have several places in mind when requesting a trade, and it all comes down to whether Detroit is on his list. If the Red Wings are not an organization that Matthews would be willing to play for, it would end any possibility of acquiring the Maple Leafs superstar.
It will be fascinating to see whether Matthew does request a trade from Toronto. The Maple Leafs recently won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, earning the first pick in the draft in June. As of now, this hasn’t been enough for Matthews to commit to Toronto for the 2026-27 NHL season.
However, what if the Red Wings are on the list for Matthews? It would take an unprecedented move by Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman to land him.
Detroit Red Wings have to trade the farm for Auston Matthews
In the scenario where Matthews requests a trade and is willing to play in Detroit, the Red Wings would have to trade the farm away. This doesn’t mean the Red Wings have to trade every draft pick and prospect in their system. However, the organization can’t be worried about Matthews not signing an extension.
In December 2025, Detroit was one of the teams in the mix for defenseman Quinn Hughes. While acquiring Hughes would have been amazing for Detroit, the team reportedly didn’t want to swing the deal without an extension. Therefore, the Red Wings weren’t real players for the now Minnesota Wild defenseman.
For Matthews, Yzerman would have to send out his prized assets to Toronto. It is very difficult to acquire superstars in the NHL, and Matthews would drastically change the team’s direction. If the Red Wings fully believe in Matthews, they shouldn’t hold anything back in making him a member of the organization.
The Red Wings haven’t made many big swings during Yzerman’s tenure as general manager, with Alex DeBrincat being the most notable addition. However, Detroit appears to be eyeing a major move during the 2026 NHL offseason that would put them into playoff contention.
Matthews could become the biggest prize of the 2026 NHL offseason, and if everything perfectly aligns, the Red Wings have to pounce on the opportunity.
Read More: Detroit Red Wings Expected to Make Blockbuster Trade in 2026 NHL Offseason
