The Toronto Maple Leafs face growing pressure after a difficult 2025-26 NHL season.

Former NHL player and analyst Paul Bissonnette recently urged captain Auston Matthews to remain in Toronto despite the team’s struggles. Speaking on the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast with Ryan Whitney, Bissonnette said Matthews remains essential to the franchise.

Bissonnette warned that losing the star center could push the organization toward a rebuild.

“I feel that with a proper retool this summer – if Matthews ain’t sticking around for a rebuild, so they have to retool,” Bissonnette said. “And so this summer, a lot is going to have to be done in order to make them relevant.
And if they’re able to stay healthy, I still believe that they could be a playoff team.”

MORE: Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews refuses to quit on Toronto’s season

Matthews remains under contract with Toronto through the 2027-28 season. The four-year deal carries a total value of $53 million and a $13.25 million annual cap hit. After this season, Matthews will still have two years remaining on that contract.

However, uncertainty around the team’s direction has put forth discussion about his long-term future. Bissonnette said keeping Matthews must remain the top priority.

“The Matthews situation is interesting because if you talk to anybody who watches them all the time, remember when he was struggling offensively this year?” Bissonnette said. “Like everybody was ragging on him.”

This season Matthews remains the offensive leader, despite his low scoring pace. The Toronto captain has recorded 26 goals and 26 assists through 58 games. Matthews often faces top defensive matchups while starting many shifts in the defensive zone. Bissonnette noted that responsibility makes scoring stretches more difficult.

Later he begged the Leafs’ captain to stay, saying “I don’t know whoever you guys want to point the blame out to. Well, I’m not going to give it to Auston Matthews. I’m going to beg him to stay because if he doesn’t, now we’re in a rebuild.”

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving listens to a question during a media conference to introduce new head coach Craig Berube (right) at Ford Performance Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

During the conversation, Bissonnette also discussed the pressure facing Maple Leafs management. He mentioned his connection with general manager Brad Treliving while discussing the team’s difficult season. According to Bissonnette, questions about asset management could affect how the organization evaluates Treliving.

“I would say that asset management is going to be something that’s held against him in how they judge him in his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs” Bissonnette said.

He said several roster decisions will face scrutiny after the season. So, Toronto’s front office could face major decisions during the summer.

The Maple Leafs currently hold a 27-26-11 record with 65 points, sitting near the bottom of the Atlantic standings. A seven-game losing streak after the Olympic break has damaged the team’s playoff hopes.

So, Bissonnette believes Toronto must retool quickly to remain competitive. Otherwise, keeping Matthews long term could become far more difficult.

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