Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Confirms One Significant Change Heading Into 2025-26 Season

The 2024-25 campaign is undoubtedly one that Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews would like to put in his rearview mirror, after injuries limited him to just 67 games last season.

The three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner amassed just 33 goals last season, which is quite uncharacteristic of a player who has two 60-plus goal seasons to his credit.

Matthews' injury issues back in late 2024 actually prompted him to book a flight to Germany to undergo treatment for the mysterious ailment, believed to be a back injury, but according to a key figure in Toronto, Matthews looks a whole lot better coming into training camp this fall.

In a recent interview, Leafs head coach Craig Berube told The Athletic that Matthews is coming into the 2025-26 season with a little more meat on his bones, bulking up over the summer, as he believed he was too lean in 2024-25, which may have contributed to his injury troubles.

A bigger, stronger Auston Matthews is absolutely a problem for the other 31 National Hockey League teams. Even a lean Matthews was difficult to push off of the puck last season. A now heftier Matthews will be a nightmare for the opposition to try to contain.

We still do not yet know who Matthews' linemates will be to begin the season, but I'd imagine that Matthew Knies will reprise his role on that left flank. As far as who may slot in on the right side, some early favourites are Matias Maccelli, William Nylander and Max Domi.