- Friedman: Matthews held his first in-depth offseason meeting with Chayka and Sundin over Zoom
- The captain told the new front office he wants to win in Toronto and things are “in a good place”
- Read below and watch the video of Matthews’ end-of-season media availability for full details
Auston Matthews and Toronto’s new front office are on the same page.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Monday’s 32 Thoughts podcast that Matthews held a lengthy Zoom call with new general manager John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin last week, and the front office came away saying things are “in a good place.” The captain told them he wants to win in Toronto.
Friedman broke down the state of the Matthews-Leafs relationship after a turbulent spring.
“I understand at some point last week, there was a lengthy Zoom call. Matthews, I believe John Chayka and Mats Sundin were on it as well. And it was their first in-depth conversation. I heard it was a positive meeting. Right now, we’re all watching the smoke signals, is there anything problematic here, is there anything for Toronto to worry about how Matthews feels? I was told right now, things are in a good place.”
The uncertainty kicked off at Matthews’ end-of-season media day, when he wouldn’t commit to anything beyond his current contract. Watch the full video:
That media-day video set off a month of speculation. Toronto is buried in coaching interviews and scouting meetings, and Matthews is still recovering from offseason surgery in Arizona, so a sit-down wasn’t realistic. The Zoom call gave the new braintrust their first real chance to walk Matthews through the plan for 2026-27.
Chayka and Sundin took over a month ago, with Craig Berube fired on May 13 and the Leafs winning the draft lottery to land the No. 1 pick. Matthews wanted to see “real action” before committing when he spoke in April, leaving the front office desperate for a positive readout.
Per Friedman, the two sides didn’t discuss an extension or a formal commitment, and a trade isn’t currently on anyone’s radar. Matthews is signed through 2027-28 at a $13.25 million cap hit. Chayka has reportedly told other general managers around the league he’ll talk about anyone on the Toronto roster except his captain.
Toronto’s captain is bought in, and that’s the only headline that matters in Leafs Nation right now.
