Story Summary
Auston Matthews says he is fully healthy, energised and committed to the Toronto Maple Leafs after an off-season of significant organisational change. The 28-year-old captain has been skating in Toronto for several weeks after recovering from the knee injury that ended his season on March 12 in a knee-on-knee collision with then-Anaheim Ducks defenceman Radko Gudas. New general manager John Chayka said Matthews is “full go 100%” and praised his rehabilitation and leadership.
Matthews said he took a step back after the Maple Leafs missed the playoffs and Brad Treliving was fired as general manager, wanting to see who would be hired and their vision for the club. He said his “intent was always to be here” and that he likes the changes Chayka has made. Toronto hired Chayka, added senior executive advisor Mats Sundin and appointed Jim Hiller to replace Craig Berube. The Maple Leafs also won the NHL Draft Lottery and the right to select Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, while adding defenceman Darren Raddysh and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.
Matthews also welcomed forward Jack Roslovic, who signed a two-year contract as an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and is expected to begin the season on Matthews’ line. The pair were teammates with the U.S. National Under-18 team in 2014-15. Matthews’ goal totals fell from an NHL career-high 69 in 81 games in 2023-24 to 33 in 67 in 2024-25 and 27 in 60 last season. He has two seasons remaining on the four-year contract he signed on August 23, 2023, and is eligible to sign a new contract with Toronto on July 1, 2027.
Key Facts
- Auston Matthews said he is 100% healthy and has been skating in Toronto for several weeks following a season-ending knee injury on March 12 in a knee-on-knee collision with Radko Gudas.
- Matthews is 28 years old and is the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
- John Chayka was hired as Toronto’s general manager in the off-season and said Matthews is “full go 100%” and “looks great.”
- Matthews said he took a step back after last season to see who the new hires would be and that his intent was always to remain in Toronto.
- The Maple Leafs fired general manager Brad Treliving after missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and Jim Hiller replaced Craig Berube as coach.
- Mats Sundin joined the club as a senior executive advisor.
- Toronto won the NHL Draft Lottery and the right to select Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
- Forward Jack Roslovic signed a two-year contract with Toronto as an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and is expected to begin the season on a line with Matthews.
- Matthews and Roslovic were teammates on the U.S. National Under-18 team in 2014-15 and have been skating together in Toronto.
- Matthews’ goal totals dropped from 69 in 81 games (2023-24) to 33 in 67 (2024-25) and 27 in 60 last season; he said he still holds himself to extremely high standards.
- Matthews has two years remaining on the four-year contract he signed August 23, 2023, and is eligible to sign a new contract with Toronto on July 1, 2027.
IHM Discussion
Matthews’ declaration of health and commitment changes the tone around Toronto after the end of the 2025-26 season. He rehabilitated from a March 12 knee injury, has been skating for weeks and says he is “full go 100%”. Matthews also made clear that Chayka’s arrival, along with the club’s new personnel, has restored his optimism.
Toronto’s summer moves reshape the group around its captain. Roslovic had 36 points, including 21 goals, in 69 games with the Edmonton Oilers last season and is expected to open on Matthews’ line. Their previous connection with the U.S. National Under-18 team and their recent skates together give them a useful starting point, though regular-season chemistry will still need to develop. Bobrovsky and Raddysh are further additions to a roster entering a new phase under Chayka and Hiller.
Matthews has two seasons left on his current contract and becomes eligible to sign a new deal on July 1, 2027. For now, both Matthews and Chayka have directed attention towards the season ahead rather than long-range contract speculation.
Why It Matters
Matthews’ return to full health removes a major immediate question for Toronto ahead of the new season. After his goal totals declined over the past two seasons, his ability to regain his usual scoring level will be central to the Maple Leafs’ attack. Roslovic is expected to begin on his line, while the changes in management, coaching and personnel give Toronto a different environment around its captain. How quickly the new group settles will shape the early view of Chayka’s first summer in charge.
Fan Pulse
There is relief among Maple Leafs supporters after Matthews said he is healthy and positive about the direction under Chayka. Caution remains around his long-term future: he has two years left on his current contract and can sign a new deal from July 1, 2027. Chayka has urged fans to enjoy Matthews’ play rather than focus immediately on contract questions.
Mini Q&A
Is Auston Matthews fully healthy?
Yes. Matthews said he is “full go 100%” and has been skating in Toronto for several weeks after the knee injury that ended his season on March 12.
What caused Matthews’ season-ending injury?
His season ended after a knee-on-knee collision with then-Anaheim Ducks defenceman Radko Gudas on March 12.
Does Matthews plan to stay with the Maple Leafs?
Matthews said his intent was always to be in Toronto and expressed that he likes what new GM John Chayka has done this summer, signalling commitment to the club for now.
What is Matthews’ contract status?
Matthews has two seasons remaining on a four-year contract signed August 23, 2023, and is eligible to sign a new contract with Toronto on July 1, 2027.
Will Matthews play with Jack Roslovic?
Roslovic signed a two-year contract on July 1, and he and Matthews are expected to begin the season on the same line. They have also been skating together in Toronto.
How has Matthews’ scoring changed recently?
Matthews’ goal totals were 69 in 81 games in 2023-24, then fell to 33 in 67 in 2024-25 and 27 in 60 last season, which Matthews acknowledged as a frustrating year.
Coach Mark Comment
Matthews’ return gives Toronto a chance to establish early line continuity. If Roslovic opens alongside him, the priority will be simple puck support: arrive quickly on retrievals, create space through the middle and give Matthews clean looks in the scoring areas. The group’s early execution will matter more than trying to force instant chemistry.
What Comes Next
Matthews and Roslovic are expected to begin the season on the same line. Matthews has two seasons remaining on his contract and becomes eligible to sign a new deal with Toronto on July 1, 2027.
IHM Final View
Matthews’ declaration that he is fully healthy and his positive response to Chayka’s first summer in charge give the Maple Leafs a stabilising headline ahead of the season. Toronto has changed its management group, coaching staff and roster, while Matthews is expected to open alongside Roslovic. His health and scoring level, along with the new group’s ability to settle quickly, will define the early months of the club’s reset.