Analyst Believes William Nylander’s Future in Toronto Hinges on Matthews

How Auston Matthews evaluates new GM John Chayka and executive advisor Mats Sundin’s first offseason on the job will affect everything about the future direction of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It may not change what they do with the first-overall pick in the draft, though it very well could alter how they choose to build around that prospect.

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If Matthews stays, then it’s undoubtedly a retool with the goal of quickly returning to contention. On the other hand, if he wants out, then a full-scale rebuild could become a possibility, and TSN analyst Bryan Hayes believes that, as a result, William Nylander’s future as a Maple Leaf may also hinge on the captain’s decision.

Hayes said:

“If Matthews is still here, he’ll be the king of the county. If he’s the captain and the man, and he’s here in three years. Willy, I find it hard to picture a world where Matthews is gone and Willy stays. I just don’t know how that works from his standpoint or the organization’s standpoint,”

The 28-year-old Matthews has two years left on the four-year, $53 million extension he signed with the Maple Leafs in 2023, while Nylander, 29, has another six years to go on the eight-year, $92 million deal he signed to extend in Toronto in 2024. Both have full no-movement clauses and would dictate where they land in any potential trade.

Hayes’ point is very valid, especially given some of Nylander’s comments toward the end of the season, which hinted that he’d like to stick around—unless things shift toward a rebuild.

From the Maple Leafs’ perspective, they’re actually in a good position either way. Matthews and Nylander can continue to lead the charge as their superstar duo, with a budding young star joining them, or management can accumulate a plethora of high-end assets by moving one or both to help rebuild around McKenna—or whoever they ultimately select.

It may seem rather dire if Matthews does wind up leaving, but in the grand scheme of things, some could even argue it may be for the better to move on to a new era of hockey in Toronto.

Next: Could Utah Provide Toronto the Best Return Package for Auston Matthews?