The NHL Network recently ranked Auston Matthews as a 15th-best player in the National Hockey League. Matthews has proven himself as one of the league’s top players without a doubt, as he was the closest to 70 goals we have seen in a long time. But after last year with the Buds, people are starting to doubt and criticize his ability as a player and a superstar.
Matthews will be coming into this season for the first time without his sensational teammate Mitch Marner. He has a lot to prove this season. Last year, he posted 33 goals, 45 assists, 78 points in 67 games, a huge dip from his 69-goal, 107-point season the year prior. If the Leafs want a chance at Lord Stanley’s Cup, Matthews has to be better.
Matthews will need to start off the season with a strong and no-holds-barred attitude as the captain and leader of this team; he has to have another breakout season. In Matthews’ second season as a captain, his first without Marner, how will the once 69-goal scorer fare in the 2025–26 season? Let’s break it down and predict.
Goals: 52
Matthews is 20 goals away from having the most goals in Leaf history, where he can pass Leaf legend Mats Sundin, who scored 420. Two seasons ago, Matthews scored 69 goals, which is definitely hard to come by, especially in today’s NHL. The last person to score over 70 goals was Alexander Mogilny, who got 76 in the 1992–93 season. Last year’s dip in goal scoring was one of the reasons the Toronto Maple Leafs did not achieve the success they had imagined.
If the Leafs want to take a further step, Matthews must be ready to lead his team in every single category. In the first season without Mitch Marner, and how they exited last year in Game 7 versus Florida, Matthews is going to look hungry, leading this team to unbelievable success, and that is going to start by him scoring 52 goals this season. Matthews is poised to have a high goal count this year, and above 50 is a safe bet for a superstar who knows how to put the puck in the back of the net.
Taking into account that last year Matthews was sent to Europe to treat his injury, with his wrist seeming to be much healthier and him saying that he feels a lot better going into the season, there is no doubt that Matthews will score a ton of goals this season.
Assists: 68
This season, with the development of Matthew Knies and William Nylander growing over the past couple of years, expect Matthews’ playmaking abilities to grow this season. I predict that Matthews will break out in assists with the most he’s ever had in his career, with 68 assists on the season.
Matthews isn’t known for his playmaking abilities, but with the absence of Marner, someone is going to have to take a big step to try to fill the void they’ll be missing all season, and that is where Matthews can lead his team.
Points: 120
Auston Matthews is poised to have a great season, scoring 52 goals, and on top of that, 120 points is very doable for the Leafs captain. Once again, with last year’s injury playing a big part in Matthews’ point decrease, he is on track to definitely hit over 100 points this season. Matthews will be one of the league’s top scorers across all points, and especially goals.
MVP Chances: Top 5
My prediction for Auston Matthews this season is that he will be in the top five rankings for the Hart Trophy. As the Toronto Maple Leafs are heading into the season without Marner, they have a lot to prove, especially after last year’s defeat to the Panthers in the playoffs. With that, the Leafs are poised to have a great year with all the additions.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to have a chance at being one of the league’s best this season, it will heavily rely on the play of their captain, and this year, we think he’s going to do just that and be in the most valuable player considerations.
New era
This year’s team is going to be looking a lot different from past seasons, with the core four no more. Matthews is going to have to take a big step in leading his team. With the success, goals scored, and high point totals in past seasons, there is no doubt that Matthews has a great chance this season to prove to people that he is a superstar and can win the MVP.
