Everything happening around the NHL might be exactly what Auston Matthews needed to see

Brady Tkachuk jumped ship to the Panthers, and Mitch Marner left for Vegas last year so Auston Matthews might notice that leaving may not be in his best interest.

On Sunday, the Ottawa Senators ended up trading captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers for four draft picks including two in this year's draft. According to reports he was essentially forcing their hand and was pushed out by his teammates, and it all but solidified the Panthers as contenders once again after a dismal 2025-26.

He's certainly looking to get a leg up on trying to win a championship, and much like Mitch Marner last year it seems like he's looking for an easier time both on and off the ice, though getting the chance to play with his brother is neat despite the rest of the NHL's groaning.

Stars across the league are doing everything they can to chase a championship and Matthews is taking note

But in all of this we're noticing a trend. Guys are wanting to leave and want to compete. Dylan Larkin wants out, Tkachuk is gone and Marner was tired of losing and went to chase a ring. He got close but it never materialized and he once again went invisible when the team needed him most.

And that's exactly why Auston Matthews' dedication is so important. Some are wondering if Matthews is taking note of what happened around the league over the past couple of months and realized that he needs to win in Toronto - and Toronto only.

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This echoes Jordan Staal's comments where he called Marner out for 'jumping ship' in order to chase a title meanwhile Staal's unwavering belief in his team and their identity eventually payed off despite a lot of heartbreak.

That sounds like something Matthews has dealt with before and currently deals with, as he's going through yet another change in coaching, and another new group of fresh faces. But he's got a management team hellbent on keeping him happy and competitive, so he's feeling a little more confident no doubt.

For Matthews, who has stayed and never won, this should make winning in Toronto mean even more

You have to admit, for as much criticism and flak Matthews has taken, he never really showed any frustration or resentment towards that treatment. He knows what comes with the job and as the star of the team he has the brightest spotlight.

But after sitting here for a decade and losing, Matthews was tired and told the team to change things and they have. Whether it takes them into the playoffs immediately is another story, but the team is setting themselves up to win as soon as possible.

Matthews knows how important winning is to Toronto - the Marlies winning the Calder was proof of that. To finally win and be the one who against all odds manages to give Toronto their first Stanley Cup in 60 years would be nothing short of legendary and it may cement Matthews as the greatest Maple Leaf of all time at the end of the day.

Seeing that Marner left and still failed, and Tkachuk heading to Florida to make things easier on himself should make Matthews think twice about leaving. Maybe it's not about where you win, but how.

And you do it exactly how Staal showed us - dedication, belief, and unwavering loyalty.

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