Pitched Trade Sending Auston Matthews to Sharks Swings and Misses

In a world where there are a ton of speculative articles, there are often a lot of hockey mock trades that make sense. However, sometimes mock trades do the opposite. Typically, you stumble across them, read them, raise an eyebrow, and move on. But every now and then, there’s one that makes you question everything about it.

The latest example is a story that pitched a trade package sending Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews to the San Jose Sharks. In return, the Maple Leafs would receive depth players in Collin Graf and Shakir Mukhamadullin. They would also acquire a veteran defenseman in John Klingberg, who has already spent time in the organization, along with a few draft picks.

For starters, that is nowhere near a good enough return for one of the best, if not the best, goal scorers in the NHL. On top of that, it throws out the idea of Matthews being traded at all, which has already been shut down by NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.

So, let’s go over what a trade package could look like if Matthews were actually traded. We can do this while also revisiting Friedman’s report about Matthews and the Maple Leafs reaffirming their commitment to one another.

Matthews & Maple Leafs Reaffirm Commitment

This story made headlines all weekend after Friedman reported it on Saturday’s Headlines. He said he checked in on the situation between Matthews and the Maple Leafs. Specifically, he was told that both sides remain committed to each other, despite how this season has gone. Here is his full quote:

First of all, nothing has changed.

There was a conversation this week between the Maple Leafs and Matthews’ representation. They just asked, “Is anything here different with the way this season has gone?” Is there any reason for the Maple Leafs to believe Matthews wouldn’t want to return for 2026-27, or for Matthews to believe that the Maple Leafs wouldn’t want him to return for 2026-27? And both sides reaffirmed their commitment to each other.

I know it is a big question, but the answer is that there is no change — Matthews with them, and the Maple Leafs with Matthews.

That essentially takes any chance of a Matthews trade off the table. He holds all the cards here, and if he wants to stay, he’s going to stay. It’s no different than the situation last season when reports surfaced about Mitch Marner refusing to waive his clause. On top of that, it wouldn’t make much sense to trade Matthews if the Maple Leafs are planning to do a mini retool rather than a full rebuild. So for now, Matthews isn’t going anywhere.

Matthews Mock Trade Far Too Low

The mock trade that was floated wasn’t even close to Matthews’ true value. If he were ever traded, the return would need to be massive. A more realistic comparable would be the Quinn Hughes trade to the Minnesota Wild. That deal landed the Vancouver Canucks Marco Rossi, Liam Öhgren, defenseman Zeev Buium, and a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. It should be noted that because Matthews is a center, the asking price could be slightly higher.

Using that outline, the Sharks would need to give up significantly more. That would likely include at least one first-round pick. A high-end prospect like Sam Dickinson or Michael Misa, as well as William Eklund, would also be required. There’s no scenario in which the Maple Leafs consider a deal without receiving young NHL players who instantly become part of their core.

Alex Wennberg’s name also stands out, although he does have a no-trade clause. That said, he could at least consider waiving it if it meant playing alongside fellow Swede William Nylander. On the blue line, if Dickinson wasn’t included, Brad Treliving would likely want a defenseman from the Sharks’ core. Mario Ferraro, and even a reunion with Timothy Liljegren, would make sense.

To sum it up, the Sharks would need to part with at least one first-round pick, a top-end prospect like Dickinson or Misa, Eklund, and another established NHL player. Matthews is a top-five, or at worst top-10, talent in the NHL. There’s no chance the Maple Leafs agree to move arguably the best player in franchise history for anything close to what was suggested. And if San Jose can’t meet that price, there would be plenty of other teams willing to try.

Next: NHL Trade Watch: Oilers, Panarin, Canadiens, Laine, and a Maple Leafs Goalie Trade?