Reporter's prediction involving Auston Matthews is causing real problems in Toronto

NHL analyst Matt Larkin's comments regarding Toronto's captain is causing real issues as he believes that Auston Matthews will walk come next summer.

Matthews' future is a hotly debated topic that has dominated headlines over the past few months. With him desperate to see real change, the Maple Leafs certainly agreed to his demands, though the results on-ice are still a question that won't be answered until we get the regular season going.

Maple Leafs' grip on Auston Matthews' future loosens with a failed season

However Matt Larkin of Daily Faceoff believes that the Maple Leafs' season is going to dictate not only where they sit in the postseason race, but whether or not they can keep their captain. Larkin is under the impression that if Toronto fails this season - Auston Matthews is going to walk:

If the Leafs miss the playoffs, then I think he's probably gone for the final year of his deal

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It's not that this is guaranteed however, but with the Maple Leafs making several moves to become competitive after a terrible 2025-26 season, it's feeling like a do-or-die season.

Matthews has been here for 10 years now and hasn't seen past the second round. If they are unable to push past that plateau then why would the captain entertain staying for more of the same?

He's coming off a season not only filled with a lack of offensive punch but several injuries that hampered him; punctuated by an MCL tear suffered in mid-March that put him out for the season. There's hopes he can return to form and he'll need to be if Toronto wants a fighting chance of keeping him.

Matthews controls his own fate

Eligible to sign an extension next summer, Matthews is the one holding all the cards but he also needs to make sure he does his part in making things easier for Toronto. He can't take a backseat and let the newcomers and other stars take charge and he needs to prove why he was appointed leader.

There's only so much the rest of the team can do when it comes to offence, and if Matthews is at full health and still unable to put together a strong season, then there has to be questions about whether or not he really feels committed to the cause.

John Chayka built this current group with the intention of winning with Matthews either this season or the next, and it's a much more balanced group than the team has had previously but nothing is guaranteed, and it's going to be up to the captain to rally the troops and put together a full team effort.

The playoffs are certainly within reach for the Maple Leafs, but they are going to need to make sure they stay healthy, get the proper contribution from their stars (at both ends of the ice) and hope that Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz can be the answer in net.

If everything falls into place, then Matthews could very well re-sign. If everything falls apart? He's probably going to try and find a new home elsewhere.

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