John Chayka says reports that Auston Matthews is undecided about his Toronto future played no part in the Maple Leafs’ decision to part ways with coach Berube, as attention turns to whether the next hire can unlock a more productive, less defensive-minded vers
When the Maple Leafs finished with their worst record in a decade, the anger didn’t stop at the standings—it followed the choices inside the building, right up to head coach Craig Berube.
New general manager John Chayka faced the latest pressure question Wednesday: did Auston Matthews’ reported uncertainty about his future in Toronto influence the organization’s decision to axe Berube? Chayka’s answer was blunt.
“Matthews’ reported uncertainty had ‘zero’ influence on the organization’s decision to axe Berube. ” he told reporters. adding. “Auston’s an accomplished player (who) is world-class.. I think he wants to align on the vision and the strategy ahead, as do we.. I don’t think there’s any type of competing interests.. I think it’s about getting on the same page.”
That’s the core tension now in Toronto—at least publicly. Chayka wouldn’t spell out what he’s looking for in a next coach, but one of the top priorities will be helping Matthews find the form that produced franchise-record numbers before Berube arrived.
Under Berube, Matthews spent two injury-riddled seasons averaging 0.47 goals per game. That’s a notable drop from the NHL-best 0.65 goals per game he posted over his first eight years in the league.
A large part of the debate has centered on usage. Sportsnet’s Justin Bourne pointed out this week that the next coach might not force Matthews into defensive zoning the way Berube did, writing: “Maybe the next coach won’t stuff Matthews in the defensive zone like he’s a shutdown centre alone.”
The minutes tell their own story.. After Berube replaced Sheldon Keefe ahead of the 2024-25 season. Matthews’ average strength of opposition at five-on-five over the past two regular seasons ranked third out of 357 forwards who played at least 100 total games.. The only forwards ahead of him were Minnesota’s Joel Eriksson Ek and Jason Dickinson. who split time between Chicago and Edmonton.. In the 2023-24 regular season, Matthews finished 140th in that category out of 368 forwards who played at least 50 games.
With those tougher matchups, it’s not hard to see why his shooting numbers dipped.. Matthews averaged nearly three fewer scoring chances per 60 minutes in all situations under Berube than he did in his final season under Keefe.. At the same time, he still managed nearly 40 goals per 82 games during Berube’s tenure despite those unfavourable assignments.
If Toronto’s next coach can reduce the defensive load, the door to a rebound is obvious. Matthews’ ceiling isn’t in question inside the organization; the question is whether the next system will let him play like the version that scored 69 goals the season before Berube arrived.
Chayka’s next challenge may be just as demanding: building line support better than what his predecessor, Brad Treliving, did. This season, Max Domi led Matthews’ wingers with 467:26 of shared ice time at even strength, and Toronto produced only 44 per cent of expected goals (xGF%).
Still. Matthews and Matthew Knies—who played through a knee injury for most of the season—posted a 41.2 xGF% in 465:57 of ice time.. Last season. the Maple Leafs had a 53.7 xGF% at even strength when Matthews and Knies were on the ice. predominantly with Mitch Marner.. (The presumptive No.. 1 overall pick, Gavin McKenna, was also mentioned as a potential answer.)
For Matthews himself, the team’s failure wasn’t something he pinned elsewhere.. After the season ended. he said. “We didn’t meet the goals or the expectations that we set out at the start.. Ultimately, that’s on me.. That’s on us as players.. We’re the ones (who) have to go out there and compete and play the game.. We didn’t do that well enough this year.”
There’s also the personal health storyline. Matthews underwent knee surgery in March, and after Toronto’s season ended he called the jersey “an incredible honour to wake up every day and wear this jersey,” before adding a more uncertain line: he “can’t predict the future.”
Nick Kypreos wrote recently that speculation about Matthews’ future “will continue to evolve … until the player’s camp — or the team in a follow-up statement — puts the rumour to bed.” Chayka, at least in his public stance, doesn’t sound worried about that noise.
“I know Auston is the captain and a prolific goal-scorer and there’s much attention on that for that reason,” Chayka told reporters. “I understand that. From my perspective, as I said in my (introductory) press conference, and it wasn’t just a line: I view the players as our partners.”
Whether the next coach can make it easier for Matthews to score, and whether the next phase of Toronto’s plan aligns with the captain’s expectations, now looks like the real measuring stick—especially after a decade-worst finish forced every decision into sharper focus.
Auston Matthews Toronto Maple Leafs Craig Berube John Chayka Sheldon Keefe Max Domi Matthew Knies NHL coaching change