A year after departing the Toronto Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner remain central figures in Toronto hockey conversations, especially during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Neither player currently resides in Toronto, and the Maple Leafs are not participating in the postseason, yet their career trajectories continue to captivate fans and analysts alike.
Matthews’ Future in Question
Tuesday marked two months since Matthews’ season ended due to a knee-on-knee hit from Radko Gudas, which triggered the team's post-mortem and an identity crisis heading into 2026-27. Speculation swirls around Matthews’ future in Toronto, with the new management team of John Chayka and Mats Sundin tasked with presenting a vision that could convince him to stay for the final two years of his contract.
Another pressing issue is whether Matthews supports head coach Craig Berube returning, as GM Chayka has indicated is the plan. Some believe Matthews is not eager to leave at the first sign of adversity after a decade of being well-treated as a Leaf. He was reportedly thrilled by the team’s stunning draft lottery win, which could facilitate a re-tool on the fly with roster adjustments.
Chris Johnston of The Athletic reported that the much-anticipated meeting between the new brass and Matthews in Arizona did not occur this week, and even if it happens later in May, it won’t be the deciding factor in his return. Matthews, who turns 29 in September, wants clarity from Chayka on the hierarchy structure, including the retention of assistant GM Brandon Pridham and potential Matthews-friendly hires like the departed Shane Doan.
Marner Thriving in Vegas
While Matthews and Marner were not as close as sometimes portrayed, their on-ice chemistry enhanced both players’ strengths. Marner’s creativity, Matthews’ shot, and their defensive acumen placed them among the franchise’s top scorers. Attempts by former GM Brad Treliving and coach Berube to replace Marner’s 100 points by committee last season failed.
Marner now plays for the Vegas Golden Knights, where he leads the NHL playoff points race with six goals and 10 assists ahead of Game 5 against the Anaheim Ducks. He has found a new home on the second line with Brett Howden and William Karlsson, contributing key goals including the series-clinching winner in the first round against Utah—a stage where he rarely excelled as a Leaf.
Knights coach John Tortorella praised Marner, saying, “You guys don’t see the stuff he does… That narrative is a bunch of bull.” Marner’s move to the Western Conference has reduced the intense scrutiny he faced in Toronto, and the playoff path is less daunting than the Atlantic Division’s gauntlet of Panthers, Bruins, and Lightning.
Fan Interest Persists
At a recent hockey seminar at St. Michael’s College, discussions about the hires of Chayka and Sundin quickly shifted to questions about Matthews and Marner. Despite their separation from the Leafs, the two stars remain linked in the minds of Toronto fans.
