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![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/664263.webp\" "\\"Toronto")
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Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
The Toronto Maple Leafs acquiring the first overall pick could finally be the spark that radically changes the Leafs outlook.<\/p>\n
If fans thought that the Toronto Maple Leafs acquiring the first overall pick<\/a> would put rumors of potential dysfunction to rest, they would be wrong.First, rumors of the Leafs behind the scenes rarely ever do cease. Second, there is still a major talking point left unresolved with the Leafs winning the draft lottery in the future of Auston Matthews<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Leafs captain opened himself up to speculation after a recent report from Chris Johnston of The Athletic stated that Matthews remaining in Toronto beyond this season is no certainty.<\/p>\n Elliotte Friedman added further post-lottery that winning first overall doesn’t shift the perspective of Matthews to see real change beyond the top pick.<\/p>\n Nick Kypreos on Sportsnet added further that if Matthews leaves, it could open up Gavin McKenna, if drafted first overall, to be the new leader of the Leafs.<\/p>\n Does he (Matthews) stay? Do you try to build around winning a cup in the next? Year or two, that’s a possibility. But, you know, McKenna’s not going to be at the top of his career in 18 months, or if he is, it’ll be quite shocking, almost as shocking as the Celebrini situation where, you know, he’s a teenager scoring 100 points. If Auston’s in the plans here and you think you could still win a Stanley Cup in the next few years with him, then you’ve got to also explore the options of supporting him, not necessarily the first pick overall. <\/p>\n Trading Auston Matthews now that
The site’s position is clear that the Toronto Maple Leafs should not trade Auston Matthews. However, that may not be their choice.<\/p>\n Matthews is already showing signs of a non-committal attitude towards Toronto. While it’s a worry over his current level of loyalty to the club, it’s still up to the Leafs to repair that trust with the captain this offseason.<\/p>\n If Matthews gets to the stage where he requests a trade, Toronto may have to let up and get a deal done, even if it’s a potential unwinnable task.<\/p>\n There will be no shortage of suitors. The Los Angeles Kings are one strong team to look at for the California native Matthews, with Quinton Byfield<\/a> and Brandt Clarke<\/a> both names of high intrigue as trade chips in a potential Matthews return.<\/p>\n Toronto should be building around Matthews rather than wanting to deal him, but if they can’t build a roster to his liking, he could be out the door.<\/p>\n Trading William Nylander<\/a> instead solves the cap problem and brings back a top pairing defenseman the rebuild needs <\/p>\n The Toronto Maple Leafs shouldn’t trade Auston Matthews, but they really shouldn’t trade William Nylander. Yet again, they may not have a choice.<\/p>\n Nylander appears less likely than Matthews to leave, but if Matthews goes, Nylander becomes the next question, and his own doubts about the Leafs may begin to emerge.<\/p>\n Nylander could bring some legitimate key assets Toronto’s way. Los Angeles is again a team that makes sense, as would Buffalo who has young forward depth and nearing UFA status with breakout defenseman Bowen Byram<\/a>.Or could Anaheim with pieces such as Jackson LaCombe and Mason McTavish<\/a> lead the way to acquire Nylander. It would build up the Leafs roster by moving a single player for multiple instantaneous parts.<\/p>\n On the flip side, Nylander is the least of Toronto’s problems, and if Matthews wants a contending team around him, Nylander is probably the last player he’d want gone, and could upset him more. Nylander likely only leaves if Matthews walks first.<\/p>\n New GM John Chayka could bypass the feelings of Auston Matthews completely, building a team around Gavin McKenna and moving on from their unsold superstar. Still, moving Auston Matthews now becomes imaginable with everyone, including their first overall pick, seemingly expendable.<\/p>\n Previously on Hockey Patrol<\/p>\n POLL<\/p>\n 46 MINUTES AGO|15 ANSWERS<\/p>\n Now that the Maple Leafs won the lottery the trade returns for Matthews or Nylander would be enormous<\/p>\n Who should be the Leafs long-term face of the franchise?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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McKenna is coming creates a return package that could rebuild the entire roster overnight <\/p>\n