Overview
- After a check‑in this week, both Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs confirmed he intends to be back in 2026–27, according to Elliotte Friedman.
- Toronto has started calling teams to gauge market interest and is leaning toward selling before the deadline, per multiple reports citing Friedman.
- Early conversations are described as routine roster evaluations rather than blockbuster moves, with names such as Oliver Ekman‑Larsson, Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton mentioned as possible chips.
- The Olympic roster freeze takes effect Feb. 4, with trade activity expected to pick up again ahead of the March 6 NHL deadline.
- The shift toward selling follows a difficult season that has Toronto well off a playoff spot, including sitting eight points back of the final wild card after a shootout win over Vancouver.