Auston Matthews gives his honest thoughts on John Chayka's offseason moves

In his exclusive sit-down with Ryan Leslie, Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews praised John Chayka and the moves he made to make the team better for 2026-27.

For all the turmoil and despair the Maple Leafs encountered last year, if you fast forward a few months - suddenly there's renewed optimism in the air. Brand new players, a new coaching and front office overhaul, an onus on bringing competitiveness and pride back to the jersey - and only one goal in mind.

A huge part of that is going to be Auston Matthews, and from the sounds of it he's ready to not only put the last two years behind him, but prove to everyone that he's still one of the best players in the entire world.

Auston Matthews gives praise to Maple Leafs front office moves this offseason

Matthews recently took the time to speak with Ryan Leslie, the team's host and behind-the-scenes reporter in a sit-down interview and chatted about various topics including his health, and his excitement in playing with Gavin McKenna.

Though he also made sure to touch on the moves that the team made - ones with him firmly in mind - and sounded thrilled with the progress made in becoming competitive again:

We're happy with what they've done throughout the summer, the guys that we've brought in and the new faces

I think everybody really shares a common goal and a common vision, and I think it's really important to kind of create that unity, especially early on before camp, and I feel like we've done that.

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That unity has already been starting to grow, as Matthews and McKenna have been chatting quite a bit, not to mention McKenna will only grow more with John Tavares as well considering he's living with him this year.

Newcomer Nick Paul also commented on the new sense of unity, and mentioned that Matthews has been at the forefront:

He was one of the first guys that came up to me, shook my hand, talked for a little bit. He's awesome. I think he's a great leader, great room guy and you can see the presence he demands around the room.

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Matthews is going to need to not only demand that presence in the locker room, but prove that he can do it on the ice as well after two down seasons. He's feeling the best he has in a long time, and is no doubt hungry to get this season started.

What was the best move John Chayka this offseason?

But with Matthews praising Chayka and the Maple Leafs' offseason moves, which ranks as the best? Previously when we first covered things in the early part of the summer, we mentioned drafting Gavin McKenna.

That was more of a formality than anything the second the Leafs won the first overall pick, so we'll instead shift gears after a few weeks of analyzing. The best move Chayka made has everything to do with Matthews, and more specifically his time frame.

The entire revamped bottom-six may not seem like a group who is going to move mountains, but their arrival was necessary. There's no way Matthews could be the player he once was if he didn't have the help. By adding Nick Paul, Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger, and Brandon Duhaime - that neutralized any burdensome minutes.

Matthews has no reason spending half the game in the defensive zone unless the Maple Leafs are getting absolutely torched. He's a great defender in his own right - but that's not where he is best utilized.

If Chayka and crew wanted their captain to get back to form as soon as possible, then getting him back into a situation where he thrives most was critical. Was it a costly endeavour? Sure.

Though I don't think Matthews, Chayka, or the fans are going to be worried or concerned if it means we get the old Auston back - and maybe a Stanley Cup to go with it.

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