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Auston Matthews and his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs are uncertain. After a difficult year in Toronto, the organization hired a new general manager and fired head coach Craig Berube. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are the hope for the Maple Leafs, and Matthews will have to step up to impress to stay afloat.

However, what about the possibility of Matthews being traded to the Minnesota Wild? The blockbuster business idea has gained some popularity on social media in recent weeks.

Why the Auston Matthews-to-Minnesota trade discussion is suddenly surfacing

Matthews wants to see what Toronto does during the 2026 NHL offseason before committing to another year. If the 28-year-old superstar isn’t happy with the Maple Leafs, he could request a trade to another organization. Wild figures to be one of the most attractive options for Matthews.

Minnesota is looking to acquire an elite center, and Matthews would be a perfect fit. Matthews played with Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy and Brock Faber at the Winter Olympics, so he will be reunited with his teammates with the Wild. Minnesota is one of several teams that may be interested in Matthews, but why would he consider a blockbuster trade?

Why the Minnesota Wild would even consider a blockbuster move

The Wild just need to improve their roster. After acquiring Hughes, the organization made the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs before being eliminated by the Colorado Avalanche. Minnesota clearly needs an elite center, and Matthews would be a great pick-up.

Matthews already has chemistry with Hughes, Boldy and Faber, so it won’t be a long adjustment period. The Wild know that another trade for an elite player would put them on Colorado’s level. Whether it’s Matthews or a different NHL star, a trade appears to be on the horizon.

How Auston Matthews will change the Minnesota Wild’s offense

Matthews would solve Minnesota’s issues at the center position. The Maple Leafs star’s elite goalscoring will give the Wild one of the league’s best 1-2 punches, with Kirill Kaprizov under long-term contract. These two stars, combined with Hughes and Faber, will fix Minnesota’s power play and make it arguably the best unit in the NHL.

The Wild will be able to control the offensive pace with Matthews and Hughes. It also allows other centers to thrive in smaller roles, giving Minnesota more depth. A trade for Matthews would give the Wild an effective five-on-five attack that will be a threat every night.

What needs to happen to land Auston Matthews in the jungle?S

The Wild would absolutely need to trade for Matthews. If the 28-year-old superstar requests a trade, there will be multiple teams bidding for his services. The only way for the Wild to acquire Matthews on a waiver is for him to tell Toronto he wants “Minnesota, and only Minnesota”.

It could happen, but Minnesota can’t count on it. The organization would have to send elite prospects and multiple first-round draft picks to start the conversation. Jonas Brodin and Jesper Wallstad would be a good starting point, but depending on the market, the Maple Leafs could demand more.

Major obstacles coming in the way of Matthews business

The biggest hurdle is Matthews’ absolute no-movement clause. If the Toronto star requests a trade he will essentially be able to choose his next destination. Therefore, if there is another team that Matthews has as his preferred destination, Minnesota may be out of luck.

Matthews has a cap hit of $13.25 million, so the Wild will have to figure out how to work it within their payroll. This could limit the team around Matthews, Hughes and other stars. However, it all comes back to Matthews and his desires. If Minnesota isn’t his top landing spot, it could be difficult to make a deal.

What could happen next in the Auston Matthews trade rumors?

For now, Matthews is looking forward to seeing what Toronto can do to build a Stanley Cup playoff contender this offseason. If the Maple Leafs convince him of their long-term plan, it could put the trade rumors to rest, at least for a while. Another bad season could push Matthews to the breaking point where he wants to win a Stanley Cup outside of Toronto.

The next step will be to keep an eye on Toronto’s moves. Will this be enough to convince Matthews to return for a second season? If so, the idea could be pursued next offseason or revisited during the 2026–27 NHL season. Minnesota wants to establish an elite center, and if Matthews is available, it should make every effort to make it happen.

READ MORE: Auston Matthews traded to Los Angeles Kings? 5 possible business sites

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

Auston Matthews could be traded this offseason. With the Toronto Maple Leafs missing the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, Matthews has refused to commit to another season in Toronto until he is confident about the direction of the organization. The Maple Leafs star has been involved in NHL trade rumors, and they won’t be ending any time soon.

Below, we’ll take a look at five potential trade destinations for Matthews during the 2026 NHL offseason.

minnesota wild

If Matthews wants to win a Stanley Cup, the Minnesota Wild would be the best landing spot for him. Led by Matt Boldy, Brock Faber and Quinn Hughes, the Wild have the potential to make a deep run during the 2026-27 NHL season. Matthews would love to play with his Olympic teammates, so Minnesota should be on his list of preferred trade destinations.

san jose sharks

The San Jose Sharks are a rising organization in the NHL, and Matthews will turn them into contenders. Led by Maclin Celebrini, the Sharks are poised for contention for a long time after landing three top-3 picks over the past three years. Matthews will join San Jose with an eye on the Stanley Cup alongside Celebrini.

anaheim ducks

The Anaheim Ducks came out of nowhere during the 2025-26 NHL season, and they are here to stay. The Ducks have a strong young core with Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlson and Mason McTavish. If Matthews wants to compete long-term, Anaheim is another good option. The Ducks will be in contention for the next decade and Matthews can lead them to victory in the Western Conference.

utah mammoth

The future is bright for the Utah Mammoth in the Western Conference. Utah has arguably the most movable assets of any organization in the NHL, giving the team flexibility moving forward. Matthews would love to join up with one of his Olympic teammates, like Minnesota, under Clayton Keller. Mammoth has the assets to accomplish this, but will they be Matthews’ preferred destination?

Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings could be the top trade destination for Matthews. With the retirement of Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles is looking for another leader, and while Quinton Byfield is an up-and-coming player for the organization, Matthews will take it to the next level. The Maple Leafs superstar is from California, so he’d be happy to go home, too.

READ MORE: NHL Insider gives big update on Auston Matthews’ future with Toronto Maple Leafs

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

Auston Matthews and his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs could be the biggest story of the 2026 NHL offseason. Matthews wants to see if Toronto can get itself back into a playoff contender before committing to a second season. So, could the 28-year-old superstar really request a trade this summer?

The insider told Overdrive that TSN’s Darren Dreger doesn’t believe there’s any chance Matthews will request a trade unless the Maple Leafs complete a full rebuild. Toronto just got the first pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and still has playoff pieces on the roster. Therefore, it would not be very wise to do a complete rebuild right now.

However, would it still be best for Matthews to request a trade this offseason?

Should Auston Matthews request a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Matthews is 28 years old and still one of the biggest superstars in the NHL. Toronto hasn’t gotten very far in the Stanley Cup playoffs with its captain, but it has the potential to do so soon. So, should Matthews remain captain of the Maple Leafs?

Absolutely. Matthews still has William Nylander, Matthew Nease and John Tavares and the No. 1 overall draft pick coming soon. More likely, Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg will join Toronto during the 2026–27 NHL season, giving the organization another future NHL star.

Matthews has plenty of time to win a Stanley Cup in Toronto, and earning the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft is an excellent start. Certainly, the Maple Leafs center wants to see more from the organization this summer, but there is already a solid foundation in place for the future.

Other teams, such as the Minnesota Wild or Utah Mammoth, could give Matthews a good chance to win; However, is it really that much better than Toronto? Maple Leafs fans love Matthews and the team will be much better next season.

More than likely, Matthews will be back in Toronto next season and the future is very bright.

READ MORE: Minnesota Wild linked to Auston Matthews amid trade rumors

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ new braintrust of John Chayka and Mats Sundin have yet to have their mano-a-mano conversation with captain Auston Matthews. But when they do, they hope to find out what his intentions are. Does he want to stay in Toronto for the remaining two years of his contract? Or does he want out after the club’s tire fire last season?

If Matthews wants to go out, he’ll likely indicate his favorite destinations. Or at least he will be asked. But if the Leafs were to get the best return from their rookie, insider Jeff Marek proposed on DFO Rundown that the Utah Mammoth would be ‘at the front of the line’ to make a deal.

If Toronto has to make a decision on Auston Matthews, we’ll all wonder about Los Angeles. But he does not have property. You know who does? Utah. Utah is uniquely positioned. If that happens (Matthews is asking), you could potentially move Utah closer to, if not the front of the line..

If you’re going to be a team (like the Leafs) that wants to rebuild, and rebuild quickly? Utah has some prime candidates and some excellent young players they can look to.

Marek’s compatriot, DFO Rundown host Jason Gregor, said Mammoth would like to add some size along with skill to his mix. He didn’t mention Matthews, but the 6’3″, 215-pounder is exactly that. His two-way game would be a tremendous headliner for the top of their growing lineup.

Matthews has great connections to the Mammoth staff.

Sportsnet insider Nick Kyprios is another who sees a clear connection between the former Phoenix-based team (home of Matthews) and the Leafs’ $13.25 million man.

“There is speculation in my inner circle that the Utah Mammoth are looking at this situation, as they have some close friends of Matthews’ on their roster, including Clayton Keller.”

Matthews and Keller played together with the USHL Under-18 team in 2014–15. The Leafs captain grew up in Scottsdale and went to Arizona Coyotes games as a young player. Yotes legend Shane Donn was one of Matthews’ heroes growing up. Reuniting with that organization, even if in a new location, will likely be attractive to him.

The Mammoths appear to be a team on the rise, with a number of exciting young players. He took a big step forward this season, leading Utah to the playoffs for the first time with a wild card berth.

The Leafs made a big move today and fired head coach Craig Berube prior to any negotiations with Matthews. We will see how this affects the captain’s thoughts later on.

Auston Matthews and his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs could be the biggest story of the 2026 NHL offseason. After an extremely disappointing season, Matthews wants to see what the Maple Leafs can accomplish during the offseason before committing to another year. Therefore, there is a possibility that the Toronto superstar will request a trade this summer.

While it’s highly unlikely in reality, what exactly would Matthews have to do to land in Detroit? Here’s what needs to happen for the Detroit Red Wings.

Auston Matthews should request a trade with Detroit as destination

The chances of Matthews ending up in Detroit seem unlikely; However, there is one scenario where this could become reality. In a world where Matthews requests a trade from Toronto, he would have to be ready to play with the Red Wings. This is the first step for Detroit to acquire Matthews.

The 28-year-old center has a full no-movement clause in his contract, meaning he would have to approve any trade from Toronto. There have been several instances, including at the 2026 NHL trade deadline, where players refused to be traded. Most notably, this occurs when a player does not want to play in a specific city.

Matthews will likely have several places in mind when requesting a trade and it all depends on whether Detroit is on his list. If the Red Wings are not an organization Matthews wants to play for, that would eliminate any chances of the Maple Leafs acquiring the superstar.

It will be interesting to see if Matthews requests a trade from Toronto. The Maple Leafs recently won the 2026 NHL Draft lottery, earning the first pick in the draft in June. For now, that’s not enough for Matthews to commit to Toronto for the 2026-27 NHL season.

However, what if the Red Wings are on Matthews’ list? Removing him would require Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman to take an unprecedented step.

Detroit Red Wings to trade Farm for Auston Matthews

In a scenario where Matthews requests a trade and is willing to play in Detroit, the Red Wings would have to trade Farm. That doesn’t mean the Red Wings have to trade every draft pick and prospect in their system. However, the organization may not be worried about Matthews not signing an extension.

In December 2025, Detroit was one of the teams in the mix for defenseman Quinn Hughes. Although the acquisition of Hughes would have been surprising for Detroit, the team reportedly did not want to pursue a deal without an extension. Therefore, the Red Wings no longer had a de facto player for the Minnesota Wild defenseman.

As for Matthews, Yzerman would have to send his prized possession to Toronto. It’s very difficult to acquire superstars in the NHL, and Matthews would change the direction of the team in a big way. If the Red Wings have full confidence in Matthews, they should not delay in signing him to the organization.

The Red Wings have not made many major changes during Yzerman’s tenure as general manager, with the most notable contribution being Alex DeBrincat. However, it appears that Detroit is eyeing a big move during the 2026 NHL offseason that will put them in playoff contention.

Matthews could become the biggest prize of the 2026 NHL offseason, and if everything aligns perfectly, the Red Wings will have to pounce on the opportunity.

READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings expected to make blockbuster trade in 2026 NHL offseason

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

Auston Matthews could be the biggest story of the 2026 NHL offseason. After a difficult season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, there are rumors that Matthews may request a trade to a different team. However, what does the Toronto superstar think about his future in the organization?

After the Maple Leafs finished the 2025–26 NHL season, Matthews commented on his future in Toronto. The comments certainly indicate that nothing is guaranteed.

“I can’t predict the future,” Matthews said. “There have to be steps taken. They’re going to hire new leadership in management and things like that. So, I don’t really know. Like I said, I can’t really predict the future.”

Instead of committing to the Maple Leafs, Matthews decided to step down. Toronto has some decisions to make and it could affect the 28-year-old’s future in the organization.

Why Auston Matthews would request a trade from Toronto

The speculation with Mathews is not going to end any time soon. After missing the playoffs for the first time in his career, the Maple Leafs star could be traded to a new team if he requests a trade. Currently, Matthews has two years left on his four-year contract with a $13.25 million cap hit. However, what would be the outcome of a potential trade request?

There are questions about Toronto’s future in the NHL. Following the firing of general manager Brad Treliving at the end of the season, there is a void in the Maple Leafs’ management. This has led to questions about the team’s direction and whether it will return to the Stanley Cup playoffs any time soon. If this is a rebuild, Matthews may want out.

Additionally, Toronto has only won two playoff series since Matthews was drafted in 2016. Despite the talent on the roster, the Maple Leafs have not made the Eastern Conference Finals since 2002. It is shocking to see a team with so much talent fail to meet the expectations set around the NHL.

Matthews said he “loves” being captain of the Maple Leafs; However, he did not give a definitive answer on whether Toronto is where he wants to play. It may ultimately depend on the new leadership, their direction and whether Matthews believes he can win a Stanley Cup Final in Toronto.

If not, Matthews could request a trade from the Maple Leafs as early as this summer.

READ MORE: Auston Matthews linked to surprise NHL team amid trade rumors

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work may also…More about Austin Konensky

Auston Matthews’ future with the Toronto Maple Leafs has been in the news. The Maple Leafs missed the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, and the direction of the franchise will ultimately decide whether Matthews requests a trade or stays. If this goes the wrong direction, the Toronto star has been linked to a surprise NHL organization.

The insider said on the barn burner, Sportsnet’s Darren Dreger believes the Utah Mammoth will be a big player with Matthews moving forward. Dreger also said the San Jose Sharks would make some sense, but he wouldn’t call the organization a front-runner to acquire Matthews in the future.

Since relocating from Arizona to Utah, the organization has progressed every year. In fact, the Mammoth made a big move at the deadline, acquiring defenseman McKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames. Now, Utah has a very strong chance of making the Stanley Cup playoffs as the first wild card team in the Western Conference.

The Mammoth were linked to several big-name players during the NHL trade deadline, such as St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas. Utah has the assets to make a big trade this offseason, making it one of several organizations that could be in the market for Matthews.

However, that would require Matthews to make a decision and request a trade from Toronto. For now, the Maple Leafs will likely attempt to get the organization back to the Stanley Cup playoffs next season. After all, it’s hard to waste a talent like Matthews, William Nylander and Matthew Nease.

Utah is looking to make a major breakthrough in the Stanley Cup playoffs and don’t expect them to fall apart anytime soon. In fact, if everything goes in the right direction for them the Mammoth could end up with Matthews.

READ MORE: Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews undergoes surgery

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

The devastating knee injury that ended Auston Matthews’ season has sparked all kinds of controversy around the NHL. Multi-time offense Radko Gudas received a controversial five-game suspension, and also the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. Matthews’ agent and now Connor McDavid has also weighed in on his latest controversial decision.

But for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Matthews himself, the bigger questions now concern the player’s health and his future in Toronto.

Insider Elliotte Friedman gives us the latest on Matthews and his knee:

The Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews are still hopeful he won’t need surgery. He probably won’t find out for a week or two, but he hopes he won’t need to. The main thing here is that, even if he does need surgery, there is no concern at this time that he will be moved into next season (to recover).

How will this poor season affect Auston Matthews’ future with the Leafs?

But while the Maple Leafs are going through a reset/retool/rebuild or whatever R-word you want to call this summer, Friedman suggests this time away from the rink will give Matthews time to think about all of this, and where he fits into it.

It also lets Matthews know how he feels about things. A lot has happened in a short time in Toronto since he was last asked how he felt about things in early February. Since he won’t be playing anymore, he’ll have time to think about it, and they’ll have time to talk to him about it. And I think over the next few months we’ll get a better idea of ​​how everyone feels about Matthews and the overall future of the Maple Leafs.

And while the captain has yet to respond to the other big talking point around all of this — how no teammate on the ice came to his defense after the violent assault at the hands of Gudas — Friedman says this will at least impact the team in other ways.

“There’s no question in my mind that, internally, it will have an impact on the future and the building of the team… There were words like ’embarrassed’ and ‘apoplectic’ about how everyone felt about that situation.”

Matthews finished the 2025–26 season with the worst statistics of his 10-year NHL career. Only 27 goals (two years ago he had 69) and 53 points in 60 games.

After winning a gold medal at the Olympics for Team USA, it’s not too surprising that returning to the last-place Toronto Maple Leafs hasn’t exactly been thrilling for Auston Matthews. But these last three games? not even that much He could imagine it.

After their third consecutive disappointing effort coming out of the break, a 5–2 loss to the Ottawa Senators, captain Matthews criticized his teammates, calling his team “embarrassing”.

“There’s actually been a loss of communication in all three zones. Too bad. It’s a shame, to be honest,” Matthews said. “No matter where we are, no matter what the situation, we need to take more pride in our game…

“Everyone just has to look in the mirror and be better.”

But Matthews wasn’t the only one disappointed with the team’s effort. Jake McCabe also did not back down.

“I thought, the first five minutes were good… after that we’ll get out of bed.”

The Leafs’ playoff hopes are now little to none, and they will be sellers

After this three-game losing streak, and eight losses in 11 games, the Leafs now only have a 1.2% chance of making the playoffs. And that, frankly, seems a bit much. It seems that, by all accounts, they will open the door to a fire sale of sorts as we approach Friday’s trade deadline.

No, Matthews won’t be going anywhere, but at this point we wonder if he won’t. Could this be a conversation this summer, depending on how much disruption it takes?

The Arizona-born center still has two years left on his four-year, $53 million contract ($13.25 million AAV). In his first year without Mitch Marner, he is having a poor season, scoring 26 goals and 51 points in 54 games. With 778 points in 683 career games, Matthews was averaging 1.14 points per game over his first nine seasons. It has dropped to 0.94 in this losing Leafs season.

The shine of the gold medal wore off quickly for Matthews, who faced some ridiculous media and fan backlash after defeating Canada at the Olympics.

Toronto, welcome back to Austin.