From winning the Hart Trophy in 2022 and scoring 69 goals in 2023–24 to now being outside the top 15, Auston Matthews has lost his superstar status. Ever since his 60-plus-goal season, Matthews has not looked the same, as he has been dropping in rankings among the league’s best. That drop has raised a serious question: Is he still a top-10 player in the NHL?
The decline in rankings
Just a season ago, Matthews was among the league’s very best. But this campaign, the NHL Network notably placed him 15th on their top 50 players list—a steep fall for someone who was sitting at #3 previously. That ranking reflects not just a casual slump, but a deep, troubling trend.
Statistically, Matthews has under-delivered. As of now, he has nine goals and five assists in 17 games—14 points, which simply doesn’t meet the standard expected of a top-tier centre in Toronto. It’s not just a bad stretch. In Boston, he took a hard hit from Nikita Zadorov and was placed on injured reserve, set to miss at least a week.Â
Missing chemistryÂ
Since coming into the league, Matthews has always had Mitch Marner by his side. They’ve played together for multiple seasons, building unbelievable chemistry with one another for fans, which clearly shows that he is missing that connection. Matthews has always been a point-per-game player, especially during his prime. This season, he is three points short, and from what we’ve seen, that’ll only continue.Â
A lot of fans didn’t realize this when Marner was traded. No one thought it could affect Matthews that badly, but clearly, so far this season, that has been proven to be true. The absence isn’t just emotional; it’s tactical. Without Marner, Matthews may not be finding the same open ice or clean feeds, and that hurts his production.Â
The Toronto press
Playing in a market such as Toronto comes with intense pressure from fans and NHL critics. As a top-line centre making $13.25M per year and being on this team for 10 seasons, he is most definitely not immune. With many critics like Bryan Hayes on OverDrive saying he is not playing like a top 10 player, that spotlight only grows.Â
His past and current injuries, combined with the pressure, may be affecting his mental game, leading him to overthink every play, good or bad. If he never feels 100 per cent, there is a risk he will come across as more hesitant, not physically, but mentally.Â
The poor start for the Leafs
If Matthews doesn’t rediscover his edge, the Leafs face a serious problem. Their top centre is supposed to be a consistent, dominant scorer, and right now, he’s the shadow of his former self. The inability to produce that usual level could weigh heavily on Toronto’s playoff chances, as they currently hold a record of 8–9–2 and sit outside a playoff spot.
They may not be able to just lean on Matthews to carry them through the season. Other forwards will need to step up, and the coaching staff might need to manage his minutes more carefully, perhaps adjusting his special teams shifts and adjusting his usage to preserve his effectiveness on the ice.
Can He Bounce Back?
Matthews can definitely bounce back, as he has come out of slumps before. With lots of time to go in the season, Matthews and the Maple Leafs can definitely step up their game and become the team they were last season, winning the division. If that was the case, he needs to get into another gear, become a different person, become hungrier, and dominate the game. If he can start doing that, no doubt he will become one of the league’s best players once again.
Is he top 10?
Currently, Matthews is not a top 10 player in this league. His decline in shot power and point totals, combined with injury, all contribute to that case. But calling him finished would be premature. The talent is definitely still there, and if he can come back stronger, regain his shot, and assert himself in Toronto’s offence, leading the pack, he has a path back to elite status.
The question isn’t whether he is a top 10 player currently, but whether he can become one once again.Â
