The real trade cost of Auston Matthews and the underdog teams with the assets for a Maple Leafs blockbuster
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
There are several teams who want Auston Matthews. Probably all 31 others actually. However, there are some under the radar teams who could help Toronto out to not only give them a huge haul of assets, but make the biggest change they possibly could.
It's going to be a fun summer for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Fun? Sorry, I meant stressful. Not only are they going to be on the lookout for a new head coach and GM, but they are also having to deal with their captain not enjoying his time right now.
Auston Matthews wants to see changes and if he doesn't, then there are going to be a lot of discussions about where to go next.
However, there have been several proposals making their way around and they certainly offer a great package though are fairly obvious choices like Minnesota — where Bill Guerin runs the show but it's ultimately up to Matthews.
If he does leave though, let's take a look at a few teams who could offer as good or better a package for the Maple Leafs captain that we haven't really heard about.
The Blackhawks steal Matthews to pair with Bedard
First, we have the Chicago Blackhawks. Who wouldn't love to have Connor Bedard and Auston Matthews up front? You'd be insane not to, and it would also provide a great internal rivalry once the Olympics come back; no doubt both men will be part of the festivities.
But who comes to Toronto? Well, it's a bit of a doozy:
To Chicago:
(C) Auston Matthews (25% Retained)
To Toronto:
(C) Frank Nazar
(D) Sam Rinzel
(D) Wyatt Kaiser
(F) Andre Burakovsky
2026 Third-Round Pick (x2)
2027 First-Round Pick
2027 Second-Round Pick (x2)
(D) Sam Rinzel
(D) Wyatt Kaiser
(F) Andre Burakovsky
2026 Third-Round Pick (x2)
2027 First-Round Pick
2027 Second-Round Pick (x2)
Now this is a loaded trade however the picks do a lot of heavy lifting. Nazar is a young centre who looks like he could be a force in his prime and then Toronto gets their blueline of the future with Rinzel and Kaiser.
Burakovsky comes in as a bit of a cap dump considering his pending free agency next year but can still offer top-six help and is only 30 years old still.
Sharks smell blood and pounce on Toronto to acquire Auston Matthews
The next team on our list is the San Jose Sharks, as this is a group who not only could give Toronto a wealth of assets; but aren't shy about wanting to work with the Maple Leafs either.
To San Jose:
(C) Auston Matthews
To Toronto:
(C) Will Smith
(F) Colin Graf
(D) Mattias Havelid
2026 First-Round Pick (x2)
2027 First-Round Pick
(F) Colin Graf
(D) Mattias Havelid
2026 First-Round Pick (x2)
2027 First-Round Pick
If Toronto was to get back a guy like Will Smith, in addition to Colin Graf and perhaps a young defender like Mattias Havelid on top of a few picks should be more than enough for the Maple Leafs.
Smith is 21 but already looks like a superstar, and he's only going to grow and Toronto will have tons of control over him going forward — he's the new 1C.
Graf is 23 and a great two-way forward who really broke out this year with 19 goals and 40 points with the surging Sharks, and is also under a load of control. Havelid is your next power play quarterback and has some serious offensive chops and only 22.
There's the new core on top of the young guns coming up, and the magic that the duo of Smith and Easton Cowan could create is out of this world. Two insanely skilled playmakers and scorers being able to run wild; it's a complete overhaul.
'The Yzerplan': How Detroit can use their legacy to bring in Matthews
Finally we come to the Detroit Red Wings. Why Toronto would think of trading within the division is a little questionable but the fact of the matter is that Detroit hasn't been relevant in a long time and the fans are getting loud.
What better way to get them to quiet down then by bringing in that superstar the team has frankly lacked since what feels like the Datsyuk/Zetterberg days.
To Detroit:
(C) Auston Matthews
(G) Joseph Woll
(G) Joseph Woll
To Toronto:
(C) Marco Kaspar
(D) Simon Edvinsson
(F) Lucas Raymond
(D) Axel-Sandin Pelikka
(D) Simon Edvinsson
(F) Lucas Raymond
(D) Axel-Sandin Pelikka
This is a trade that won't have picks, but the exchange itself is a bit mind-blowing. Detroit needs a goalie so they add Woll in his prime, and someone who can be their leader over Cam Talbot and John Gibson (not to mention younger).
But it gives Toronto something they haven't had in a long time. Excitement. Raymond has fantastic chemistry with William Nylander and those two could have a lot of fun meanwhile Edvinsson and Pelikka are going to be your top d-men for a while.
Kaspar is your new two-way centre and knowing how physical he likes to be, there's a good chance that he won't be bullied as much as Matthews is (who hits but not a ton).
Plus, they are the more distinguished and successful organization of the three, and he also gets a chance to play under another former Red Wings alumnus in Steve Yzerman.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
The high price the Maple Leafs must pay to keep Auston Matthews in Toronto
The high price the Maple Leafs must pay to keep Auston Matthews in Toronto
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 27|1027 ANSWERS The real trade cost of Auston Matthews and the underdog teams with the assets for a Maple Leafs blockbuster Which team would you trade Matthews to? | ||
| Chicago | 132 | 12.9 % |
| San Jose | 449 | 43.7 % |
| Detroit | 85 | 8.3 % |
| Other | 361 | 35.2 % |
| List of polls | ||