Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Trade Rumors; Kings Conclude Their Deals?

The Toronto Maple Leafs recently made a change to their coaching staff, appointing Steve Sullivan as an assistant coach in place of Marc Savard. However, discussions among analysts have sparked anticipation regarding potential roster changes, particularly concerning superstar Auston Matthews.

Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Trade Rumors

According to Nick Kypreos from Sportsnet, the Maple Leafs might explore trade options for Matthews as early as next summer if the team does not show improvement this season. Matthews, 28, has two years remaining on his contract, with an annual salary of $13.25 million and a full no-movement clause, which means any trade would require collaboration between the player and the team.

Kypreos emphasized that a trade would likely occur in the offseason rather than during the current season. Despite Matthews’ recent decline in scoring, Kypreos believes his market value remains intact, with many teams still seeing potential in his performance.

Potential Trade Destinations

• Los Angeles Kings: Kypreos suggests the Kings as a viable destination for Matthews, particularly as they look for a successor to their captain, Anze Kopitar, who is retiring after this season.

For a trade to happen, a couple of significant hurdles must be overcome. First, Matthews would have to consent to a trade to Los Angeles. Secondly, the Kings need to provide enough assets to satisfy the Maple Leafs’ demanding trade price. A promising young NHL center would likely be essential in any exchange, with Quinton Byfield emerging as a potential cornerstone from the Kings’ roster.

Additional Trade Insights

• While the Kings recently traded Phillip Danault to the Montreal Canadiens, they are still active in the trade market, especially with their center position feeling the impact of Danault’s departure.
• Names like Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators and Brayden Schenn of the St. Louis Blues have surfaced as potential targets to help bolster their offensive lineup. However, O’Reilly is not yet ready to be traded, and Schenn’s current performance has raised concerns about his value.

As the trade rumors swirl, the Maple Leafs face a critical juncture in determining Matthews’ future and the overall direction of the team. The upcoming months will be pivotal in shaping both player and franchise trajectories.