John Chayka Sets Auston Matthews Meeting in Toronto
John Chayka will meet with auston matthews in the next couple of weeks as the Toronto Maple Leafs try to sort out their direction and the captain’s future. Matthews, 28, is entering the last two seasons of his contract after finishing his first year without a playoff berth.
Chayka Opens Toronto Dialogue
Chayka said he wants the conversation to be direct. “We’re going to get together in the next couple weeks and spend some time,” he said after his introductory news conference on Monday, adding, “I think he deserves some answers about where we’re at and where we’re headed, and (I’ll) give him a forum to provide feedback and ask questions and then take it from there.”
He also framed Matthews as central to the franchise’s next step. “Auston’s the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, this is his team,” Chayka said. “He obviously lived it all year, so I want to get together with him and hear his thoughts on things, and that will kind of help sculpt our vision a bit as well.”
Matthews and the 2026-27 View
Matthews said on April 16 that he “can’t predict the future” when asked about his plans. That answer landed after a season in which the 28-year-old finished with 27 goals and 53 points in 60 games, then watched Toronto finish last in the Atlantic Division at 32-36-14.
The Maple Leafs also took a hit on March 12, when Matthews sustained a grade-three MCL tear and a quad contusion on a knee-on-knee hit with Anaheim Ducks captain Radko Gudas. He is expected to be ready for the new season, but the franchise is still trying to make sure the next phase lines up with its best player.
Maple Leafs Need Momentum
Chayka said the offseason has to matter. “But certainly, as we think about communicating to him, you know, letting him know that there’s still a window here where we feel like he’s one of the best players in the world for a reason and we’ve got some good pieces, and we’ve got a lot of work to do. And kind of walk him through how we want to go about doing that,” he said, before adding, “I think next year’s an important year to get some momentum back.”
That message has to land quickly. Matthews has two seasons remaining on his contract, the team just finished its first season without making the postseason during his tenure, and TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston said Tuesday that he still is not sure Matthews will be on the team during the 2026-27 campaign.
