Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Trade Rumor Shocks NHL

A local reporter's whisper about a potential blockbuster deal has the hockey world buzzing.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A report from a local Toronto reporter has sparked rumors that the Maple Leafs could be considering trading star center Auston Matthews to the Los Angeles Kings. The proposed deal would send Matthews to LA in exchange for two first-round picks, a second-round pick, and a third-round pick. This would be an earth-shattering move, as Matthews is considered one of the best goal scorers in Maple Leafs history and the team's future depends on him being a leader and superstar.

Why it matters

Auston Matthews is the captain and face of the Maple Leafs franchise, so trading him away would be an absolutely massive shakeup that would reverberate throughout the NHL. Any potential deal involving a player of Matthews' caliber would be one of the biggest trades in recent memory.

The details

The rumor originated from local Toronto reporter Howard Berger, who posted on social media about a "whisper" he had heard regarding a potential Matthews trade to the Los Angeles Kings. The proposed deal would send Matthews to LA in exchange for two first-round picks, a second-round pick, and a third-round pick. This comes just a day after TSN's Elliotte Friedman reported that Matthews and teammate William Nylander were the two Leafs players that would not be moved.

  • The trade rumor surfaced on March 6, 2026, just ahead of the NHL trade deadline.

The players

Auston Matthews

The star center and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, considered one of the best goal scorers in franchise history.

Howard Berger

A local Toronto reporter who posted the initial rumor about a potential Matthews trade to the Los Angeles Kings.

Elliotte Friedman

A TSN hockey insider who reported just a day earlier that Matthews and William Nylander were the two Leafs players that would not be traded.

Los Angeles Kings

The NHL team that is reportedly the destination for a potential Auston Matthews trade.

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What they’re saying

“Is there room before the NHL trade deadline for an all-time shocker?”

— Billy Heyen, Author (sportingnews.com)

“Auston Matthews to the Los Angeles Kings for two first-round picks, along with a second-round pick and a third-round pick.”

— Howard Berger, Local Toronto Reporter (X)

What’s next

The Maple Leafs and NHL community will be closely monitoring any developments around this potential blockbuster trade ahead of the upcoming deadline.

The takeaway

A trade involving a superstar of Auston Matthews' caliber would be one of the biggest shakeups the NHL has seen in years, and it would have major implications for the Maple Leafs' future. While the rumor has not been confirmed by other sources, the mere possibility of such a deal is sending shockwaves through the hockey world.