Auston Matthews' trade potential could become a factor after the Maple Leafs' tough start, and if things get worse - it might be time to move the captain out of town.
Look, right now if you're a Maple Leafs fan you're at least a little concerned with the situation with the team. They're ravaged with injuries, the coaching has been abysmal, they're still terrible defensively, and things look like they are going to get worse before they get better.
If you're Auston Matthews, it's not great especially when you're hoping that all these moves make you more competitive, not fall into the same traps as last season.
The captain wants to stick around only if the team can prove they can win and right now - they aren't doing much of that.
Gauging what Auston Matthews' value could be
So if he has reservations about sticking around, then you have to start thinking that a potential trade could be in the works. With that being the case, then we should probably start to look at what he could bring back in a blockbuster deal.
Currently, Matthews is having a resurgence after two years of struggles with injuries and a lack of production. He has 11 goals and 27 points in 19 games so far this season, while skating faster and looking like the deadly scoring threat we've seen in the past.
That combined with his previous resume should at least bring back some level of return that involves several first-round picks, and a superstar forward and defender at the same time.
The plan would be to maximize the return by getting future assets and young players to build around who can be great support for Easton Cowan, Gavin McKenna, Kirill Marchenko, and William Nylander.
One team makes a lot of sense if Toronto wants to trade Matthews
With the Maple Leafs wanting young assets and draft capital for Matthews, one team stands out as one who has been linked to him in the past and has exactly what Toronto needs - the Los Angeles Kings.
It's no secret the Kings are a destination that has been linked to Matthews for years, and they have multiple players who could be great pieces to build around while also beefing up their draft hopes.
Brandt Clarke and Quinton Byfield are the two main pieces to focus on as Clarke is a young, huge two-way defenseman who is the perfect replacement for Morgan Rielly meanwhile Byfield is a young, blossoming centre who alongside McKenna and Cowan could become a deadly trio of young superstars.
What's great too is that both players have zero trade protection so they can't veto a deal or have the Leafs on a no-trade list. If the Kings want Matthews, it'll be easier for John Chayka to ask for them (in theory).
Here's a potential trade proposal that could see the Maple Leafs reshape their entire team and culture while the Kings hit the reset button hard in the hopes of winning right now:
To Los Angeles:
(C) Auston Matthews
(D) Oliver Ekman-Larsson
To Toronto:
(C) Quinton Byfield
(D) Brandt Clarke
2027 First-Round Pick (LA)
2028 First-Round Pick (LA)
OEL is thrown in as someone who can help the Kings now and wil have less pressure playing in LA while providing some more salary relief - and Matthews' current deal is basically Clarke and Byfield's combined.
If Los Angeles is dead set on winning then parting with first-round picks shouldn't cause some issues because their hope is that they are competitive enough that those picks don't bring Toronto a superstar.
Matthews' value has skyrocketed this year, and if the Maple Leafs continue to falter then perhaps they should strike while the iron is hot and make a move that changes their franchise for good.
Do you think the Maple Leafs should think about trading Auston Matthews?
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