It sounds unthinkable, doesn’t it? Trading the greatest goal scorer in Toronto Maple Leafs history. But where there is smoke, there is fire, and Nick Kypreos has just poured gasoline on the spark. The latest buzz suggests the Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews could have a very difficult conversation next summer—one that ends with #34 wearing a different jersey.
This isn’t just standard mid-season panic. With the Kings preparing for life after Anze Kopitar and Toronto’s core seemingly hitting a wall, a blockbuster deal involving Quinton Byfield isn’t just fantasy hockey anymore; it’s a legitimate path forward for two franchises at a crossroads. If you thought the Gretzky trade changed the landscape of hockey in California, wait until you hear why this deal actually works for everyone involved.
Let’s cut through the noise and look at this like an NHL GM. We know Auston Matthews has a full no-movement clause. He holds the cards. But Kypreos makes a valid point: if the marriage between player and team sours, or if both sides realize the current mix is stale, a “joint effort” to move him becomes the only solution.
Why Los Angeles is the Perfect Landing Spot for Matthews
From a hockey standpoint, the fit is seamless. The Los Angeles Kings are staring down the barrel of Anze Kopitar’s eventual retirement. You don’t replace a Hall of Fame two-way center with a committee; you replace him with a superstar. Matthews is a California native who grew up idolizing the Kings (and Coyotes), and the lifestyle fit is obvious.
More importantly, the Kings have the cap flexibility. Absorbing a $13.25 million AAV is a nightmare for 90% of the league, but LA is positioned to make it work, especially as Kopitar’s $7 million hit comes off the books in the near future.
My Expert Take: Here is the hard truth for Leafs fans: You cannot trade Auston Matthews for “assets.” You trade him for a franchise-altering return. This is where the Kings rumor gets spicy. Toronto would need a young, high-ceiling center coming back. Quinton Byfield is the non-negotiable starting point.
I’ve watched Byfield’s game mature; he has the size and skill to be a 1C in this league. But a straight swap? No chance. Toronto would demand Byfield, a first-round pick, and likely another Grade-A prospect (think Brandt Clarke or similar) to even pick up the phone.
The danger for the Kings is the bidding war. If Matthews signals he is willing to waive his NMC for a select list of US-based teams, the New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, or even the Anaheim Ducks could enter the fray. If LA wants to secure the next face of their franchise, they can’t get cute with their prospects. They have to push their chips to the middle of the table.
This summer could define the next decade for the Maple Leafs. If the Buds miss the playoffs or the postseason ends in disappointment again, the “unthinkable” might become the “inevitable.”
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