NHL Insider Floats Wild Auston Matthews Idea After Maple Leafs' Collapse
As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to navigate the fallout from another early playoff exit, NHL insider Frank Seravalli floated a drastic idea that could change the team's outlook from top to bottom.
Speaking on Sportsnet 590 The FAN, Seravalli suggested Toronto should not only be considering a separation from Mitch Marner, but also entertain the possibility of moving captain Auston Matthews.
Marner, 28, has just completed his six-year, $65.41 million contract. Matthews, however, still has three seasons left on his four-year, $53 million contract.
"My guess is there's probably a 99.9% likelihood that Auston Matthews is back with the Maple Leafs next year," Seravalli said. "But if we're going to question and talk about Marner because he's a pending UFA - and likely on his way out the door - the playoff failures also extend to Matthews as well."
Matthews, who scored 78 points in 67 games this season while managing a preseason injury, added just 3 goals and 11 points in 13 playoff games.
The Leafs' captain revealed during Tuesday's end-of-season media availability that the injury was sustained in training camp and impacted his game throughout the season.
"There were some good stretches where I felt good and some where I didn't feel very good," Matthews said. "Definitely, it was a tough year physically."
Seravalli pointed to the contrast in Matthews' regular-season dominance and playoff output, and suggested his recurring back issues could eventually factor into Toronto's internal discussions.
"Again, I think it's very unlikely that (trading Auston Matthews) happens," Seravalli said. "But inside that front office, inside those walls, those should be the exact type of conversations they should be having.
"If we're blowing this up, how deep are we planting the dynamite?"
Marner, meanwhile, gave no clear indication on Tuesday that he intends to re-sign, saying only that he needed time to think.
"I haven't processed anything yet," Marner said. "It's still so fresh."
Related: Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Linked to Western Conference Contender in Bold Move
Related: NHL Analyst No Longer Convinced Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Is Leaving Toronto
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
BetMGM Bonus Code NW150: Claim $150 Promo Or $1,500 MLB, NHL, US Open Offer
The BetMGM bonus code NW150 will give new players in select states a $150 promo while others will get a $1,500 bet offer on Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals tonight. The BetMGM bonus code NW150 will give new players in select states a $150 promo while others will get a $1,500 bet offer on Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals tonight. Get in on the action for the Stanley Cup Final, U.S. Open and more with the BetMGM bonus code NW150. When you sign up for a new account by clicking here, you will receive one of two welcome offers, depending on your location. If you are in select states (CO, MI, NJ, PA and WV), you will be eligible to get a $150 bonus offer when you place a $10 wager that wins to start your account. If you are in another state, you will get a $1,500 first bet safety net when you start up your account. Sign up before Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final and the rest of Saturday's sports action. BetMGM Bonus Code NW150 For NHL, U.S. Open, MLB BetMGM Bonus Code NW150 New User Offer Bet $10, Get $150 Bonus (CO, MI, NJ, PA, WV Only) $1,500 First-Bet Offer In-App Promos Second Chance Scorer, Daily Boost Tokens, MLB Daily Swing, etc. Terms and Conditions 21+ and Present in Participating States Bonus Last Verified On June 14, 2025 Information Confirmed By Newsweek Both of these promos are valid for any market available on BetMGM Sportsbook, but the important caveat for the $150 offer is that you must win your initial $10 bet. Knowing this, make sure to place that $10 wager on something you feel confident in. This could be on Panthers-Oilers Game 5, the U.S. Open or any MLB game taking place on Saturday. If you win your $10 bet, you will unlock the $150 in bonus bets that will be valid for the next seven days. Any unused bets will expire after that period of time. If you receive the $1,500 first bet, you will be able to wager up to that amount while knowing you will get your stake back if your bet loses. Let's say you wager $1,000 on the Oilers to win Game 5. If they do win, you will receive a large payout. If they lose, you will get your $1,000 stake back in the form of a bonus to use within the next seven days. Use BetMGM Bonus Code NW150 To Set Up New Account The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers have provided a ton of entertainment in the Stanley Cup Final, as three of the four games have gone to overtime. Two featured goals in the last minute of regulation. Saturday night's pivotal Game 5, plus the U.S. Open and MLB slate, combine to provide new users a great opportunity to capitalize on this BetMGM bonus code offer. Sign up for a new sportsbook account by clicking or on any of our other links. Input the bonus code NW150 to claim the offer you are eligible for. Once you enter your basic personal information to secure your account, you will be asked to make an initial deposit. This will cover your $10 wager or the amount you plan on betting with the $1,500 safety net. From there, take advantage of the offer you receive. If you receive any bonuses, use them within seven days before they expire. In-App Promos For Saturday, June 14 For Saturday, you can claim various promotions within the app. There will be odds boost tokens available for the Stanley Cup Final and other events, like MLB games or the U.S. Open. BetMGM also provides a second chance token for Panthers-Oilers and the U.S. Open. This gives you the chance to get your stake back on certain markets for those events. You can also take part in the MLB Daily Swing promo, which gives you an opportunity to win cash or bonus bets. Check in at the beginning of each day to see what promos are made available to you. When the NBA Finals continue with Game 5 on Monday, there will be similar odds boosts and promo opportunities for you to take advantage of. Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
New York Rangers Daily: Mika Zibanejad finishes strong; Panthers eye sweep; Honoring Johnny Hockey
The World Hockey Championships ended on a good — if not perfect — note for New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad on Sunday. On the final day of the tournament, Zibanejad was in action for host country Sweden — just not in the gold medal game. Zibanejad scored a goal and added an assist to help Sweden secure the bronze medal with a 6-2 win against Denmark. Sweden had a 4-0 lead early in the third period, but when Denmark pushed back with a pair of goals less than three minutes apart, Zibanejad helped swing momentum back the other way. Advertisement First, there was a secondary assist on Marcus Johansson's goal at 8:25, and then Zibanejad iced the win for Sweden when he scored at 15:03 of the third period. Zibanejad had mostly a good tournament, finishing with eight points (five goals, three assists) in nine games, missing one with an illness. He tied for fifth in scoring for Sweden, and was tied for ninth among in the tournament with five goals. Like the rest of his teammates, Zibanejad wasn't great in a 6-2 loss to the United States in the semifinals. But all in all, Zibanejad appeared rejuvenated playing for his home country after the dark malaise which engulfed him with the Rangers this past season. Advertisement Momentum doesn't carry from one season to the next, but Rangers brass must be happy to see Zibanejad finish up this season strong in the NHL (11 points in six games) and on the international stage. But if they haven't done so already, general manager Chris Drury and coach Mike Sullivan must make it a point to sit down with Zibanejad and make sure his head is clear and he's all-in next season. Because he most definitely was not in 2024-25. By the way, the United States won the World Championship, defeating Switzerland 1-0 on Tage Thompson's goal 2:02 into overtime Sunday. It's the first time the U.S. won gold at the Worlds since 1933. No Rangers were on Team USA's roster. Brett Berard missed out on the experience, when he was forced to pull out of the tournament with an injury. Advertisement WATCH the latest Rink Rap podcast at the Forever Blueshirts YouTube page New York Rangers news Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Tom Castro provides a detailed breakdown of why the Rangers shouldn't extend Artemi Panarin and instead move on from the prolific scorer when his contract is up at the end of next season. Niko Mikkola would be a perfect fit these days with the Rangers. But would the defenseman have ever been as good as he is with the Florida Panthers, if the Rangers kept him two years ago? Ryan McInerney makes the case that Vincent Trocheck should be the next captain of the Rangers. Breaking down the best right-wing options for the Rangers with the No. 12 pick in this year's NHL Draft. Advertisement Here are three realistic trade options if the Rangers decide to move Alexis Lafreniere this offseason. NHL news and rumors Perry Nelson-Imagn Images Sportsnaut: Here are the key takeaways after the Edmonton Oilers hammer the Dallas Stars 6-1 in Game 3 to take 2-1 lead in best-of-7 Western Conference Final. TSN: The Stars played without top center Roope Hintz, who participated in warmups but was unable to play in Game 3 after sustaining an unspecified injury the game before. The Florida Panthers look to finish a sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final on Monday night. Forward Sam Reinhart has not been ruled out after missing Game 3 with a lower-body injury. Advertisement Sportsnet: Niko Mikkola is expected to play for the Panthers on Monday after the former Rangers defenseman sustained what appeared to be a shoulder injury late in the third period of Game 3 on Saturday. Daily Faceoff: Team USA honored the late Johnny Gaudreau after defeating Switzerland 1-0 in overtime to win the gold medal at the 2025 World Hockey Championships. NY Post: Ethan Sears breaks down the extensive to-do list for new Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche. Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dan Kingerski breaks down the pros and cons of the top-5 coach candidates for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
CBS News
5 hours ago
- CBS News
Penguins sign rookie forward Melvin Fernstrom, re-sign forward Boko Imama
The Penguins announced two signings on Friday evening, first signing rookie forward Melvin Fernstrom to a three-year, entry-level contract. The 19-year-old Fernstrom was acquired by the Penguins on January 31 from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor. Along with Fernstrom, the Penguins received a conditional first-round pick, forward Danton Henien, and defenseman Vincent Desharnais. Fernstrom spent the past season with Orebro HK in the SHL, Sweden's top professional league. He also played for the Swedish junior U-20 team. In 48 games in the SHL, he earned rookie of the year honors, scoring eight goals and nine assists for 17 points, good for first among rookies. During 12 games with the national team, he scored 11 goals and seven assists for 18 points. Fernstrom was picked by the Cancuks in the 2024 NHL Draft, 93rd overall. The team also announced that they have re-signed forward Boko Imama to a one-year contract. The one-year deal carries an average annual value of $775,000 at the NHL level. The 28-year-old forward spent last season between the NHL and AHL in the Penguins' system. In 16 games with the big club, he scored one goal. In the AHL, Imama scored three goals and two assists in 24 games. He was drafted in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning 180th overall.
