Austin Konenski
Auston Matthews and his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs might be the biggest story of the 2026 NHL offseason. Matthews wants to see if Toronto can turn itself back into a playoff contender before committing to another season. So, could the 28-year-old superstar actually request a trade this summer?
TSN’s Darren Dreger doesn’t believe there is any chance that Matthews will request a trade unless the Maple Leafs go into a full rebuild, the insider said on OverDrive. Toronto just received the first pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and still has playoff pieces on the roster. Therefore, it wouldn’t be very wise to go into a full rebuild right now.
However, would it still be best for Matthews to request a trade this offseason anyway?
Should Auston Matthews request a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Matthews is 28 years old and still one of the NHL’s biggest superstars. Toronto hasn’t made it very far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with its captain, but it has the potential to make that happen soon. So, should Matthews stay and continue as the captain for the Maple Leafs?
Absolutely. Matthews still has William Nylander, Matthew Knies, and John Tavares by his side with a No. 1 overall draft pick coming soon. More than likely, Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg will join Toronto during the 2026-27 NHL season, giving the organization another future NHL star.
There is plenty of time for Matthews to win a Stanley Cup in Toronto, and earning the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft is an excellent start. Sure, the Maple Leafs center wants to see more out of the organization this summer, but there is already a solid foundation for the future.
Other teams, such as the Minnesota Wild or Utah Mammoth, could give Matthews a good chance at winning; however, is it really that much better than Toronto? Matthews is adored by the Maple Leafs fanbase, and the team will be much better next season.
More likely than not, Matthews will be back in Toronto next season, and the future is very bright.
Read More: Minnesota Wild Linked to Auston Matthews Amid Trade Rumors
