Leafs Nation, breathe easy—your franchise cornerstone isn’t going anywhere.
In a stunning turn of events that’s sending shockwaves across the NHL, Auston Matthews has officially REJECTED two massive offers from rival teams and RE-COMMITTED to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Yes, you heard that right.
Despite swirling rumors and aggressive pushes from both the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings, Matthews has made it clear: “Toronto is my home.”
> “There were opportunities, big ones,” Matthews said at a packed press conference this morning. “But when I looked at the bigger picture—what we’re building here, what Coach Berube brings—I knew I had to stay.”
Coach Craig Berube, just months into his tenure, seems to have already made a massive impact. Insiders say Matthews was “deeply impressed” with Berube’s no-nonsense approach and his plan to reshape the team’s culture from the ground up.
What Were the Offers?
Sources reveal Matthews turned down:
A 4-year, $56 million deal from the Rangers, and
A jaw-dropping 5-year, $75 million offer from the Kings.
Instead, Matthews has inked a 3-year extension with Toronto worth $33 million, betting on himself and betting on the Leafs.
> “I believe in this city, in our fans, and in what we can accomplish with the right leadership,” Matthews said.
The Berube Effect
Make no mistake—this is a major victory for Craig Berube.
The newly appointed head coach is already winning over the locker room. Word is, Berube flew to Arizona during the offseason to meet with Matthews personally. That private meeting may have changed the course of Maple Leafs history.
> “I told him, ‘I’m here to win. If you are too, let’s do this together,’” Berube said. “I guess that message landed.”
A Message to the League
With this move, Matthews isn’t just staying—he’s doubling down. And the message to the rest of the league is clear:
Toronto isn’t backing down. Toronto is building something real.
What’s Next?
With Matthews locked in and Marner potentially on the move (see our earlier report), expect Toronto’s front office to go into overdrive. More trades? More shakeups? A blockbuster free agent signing?
One thing is clear—this isn’t the same old Leafs.
And with Auston Matthews leading the charge under Berube’s gritty, playoff-tested system, the next chapter could be the most exciting yet.
Strap in, Leafs fans. The ride just got real