![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/shilton_kristen.png&h=80&w=80&scale=crop.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Kristen ShiltonApr 16, 2026, 11:25 AM ET<\/p>\n
Close<\/a>Kristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN.<\/p>\n Multiple Authors<\/p>\n Auston Matthews<\/a> avoided playing fortune teller when addressing his career moving forward long-term with the Maple Leafs<\/a>.<\/p>\n Toronto’s captain met with the media Thursday following the Leafs’ final regular-season game the night before, a loss to Ottawa that signaled the end of a lost season for Toronto. Matthews wasn’t in the lineup — he has been sidelined by a torn MCL since mid-March<\/a> — but with the Leafs heading into a transitional phase after missing their first postseason since 2016-17, Matthews was noncommittal on what lies ahead for him in Toronto.<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n “I can’t predict the future,” Matthews said. “There are steps that have to take place. They have to hire new leadership and management. I don’t know what’s going to happen, I think that’s kind of … like I said, I can’t really predict the future.”<\/p>\n Matthews’ shaky stance on next steps is tied to what the Leafs’ front office must accomplish in short order. Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley fired general manager Brad Treliving last month<\/a> and the organization has since retained the services of PBI Sports to help evaluate “data-centric” candidates to take Toronto in a new direction.<\/p>\n Pelley is open to hiring a general manager and president of hockey operations if needed. Toronto has leaned on an assistant general managers Brandon Pridham and Ryan Hardy to lead their behind-the-scenes operations under Treliving’s replacement(s) are found.<\/p>\n What that all means for coach Craig Berube — hired by Treliving in May 2024 — is an open-ended question, too. Berube said Thursday he expects to return as Toronto’s coach next season.<\/p>\n Still, uncertainty abounds about where the Leafs are going and whether there’s a rebuild in sight. That’s another possibility Matthews didn’t speculate about. He has two years remaining on a four-year, $53 million contract, but the 28-year-old is rumored to be uninterested in helming a lengthy retool. Matthews kept his comments on the subject neutral.<\/p>\n “There’s always noise and there’s always chatter [on the outside],” Matthews said. “Personally, I don’t really pay attention to all that. I just focus on myself and focus on this team and trying to be part of the solution.”<\/p>\n