Toronto Star column on Auston Matthews draws backlash from Maple Leafs fans

Riding high off gold medal win in the 2026 Olympics, Auston Matthews has still received his fair share of criticism despite being proven to be able to lead, and come away with the biggest prize when it matters most.

That doesn't seem like enough for some, and a recent Toronto Star article from Damien Cox has sparked a lot of criticism.

Titled 'Auston Matthews made his choice, seemingly putting the party and the president ahead of the playoffs', Cox described how Matthews' choice to visit The White House and enjoy himself was not something indicative of a captain and that he prioritized his own interests against the Maple Leafs'.

That didn't sit well with some, as Leafs Morning Take co-hose Nick Alberga replied boldly that the captain shouldn't have to deal with this -- and hopes he doesn't have to much longer:

He followed it up with another scathing take, questioning the journalistic integrity of the piece:

It's caused a bit of a clash on social media, with fans getting tired of the constant bickering and back and forth tension:

But really, there are two sides to this story that we have to look at. One side has media frustrated at Matthews for not giving his all right away after the Olympics, and believe that he doesn't care about his NHL team as much as his native country.

I'm sorry, but this is a guy who for a decade was criticized for not getting it done, was criticized while getting it done, and still gets it afterwards. He can't enjoy life for a bit? He was instrumental in helping Team USA end a near 50-year gold medal drought, so you'd think he would like to revel in that too.

You could tell throughout several interviews and comments how important this meant to Matthews, and the need to immediately criticize instead of celebrate shows that some don't really care how he feels; only what he does.

Matthews is the leader of the Maple Leafs, and his responsibilities lie there for sure, but to come at him for doing something only a handful of players ever have is a bit ludicrous.

Nick Alberga was right to be upset at Damien Cox's article, as should Auston Matthews and every other Leafs fan. He didn't give up on his team but found a way to become a better and more successful leader.

If fans and media aren't going to be happy about that, then what's it going to take?

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