Mitch Marner has departed the Toronto Maple Leafs, and according to a top reporter, captain Auston Matthews future may lie beyond the team as well.
The Toronto Maple Leafs entire identity has undergone change in recent months, and now, they head into the 2025/26 season with plenty of uncertainty, but a belief that they can be a genuine contender once more.
They'll do so without Mitch Marner for the first time in a decade, and while his departure was expected, the team may be bracing to lose yet another key piece of their Core Four.
According to Nick Kypreos, there's a chance that captain Auston Matthews could want out at some point, and after signing a short-term extension as opposed to William Nylander locking in long-term, he's seemingly keeping his options open.
"Is he keeping his options open? If next season doesn't trend in the right direction for the captain and his team, will he want stick around?"
Matthews currently has three years remaining on his deal, but with the star captain looking to contend as Toronto have done in recent years, if they take a step back in 2025/26, it opens up major questions about his future.
In his career with Toronto thus far, Matthews has tallied a ridiculous 401 goals in 629 games, but now, he's facing the challenge of replicating that success for the first time without Marner on his line.
As of right now, No. 34 remains committed to making his time in Toronto a success, and with the team around him to do that, there's a chance that they are once again pushing for a deep post-season run next year, but if all things don't go according to plan, don't be shocked to see speculation about his future with the Maple Leafs.
