As the calendar turns to September, the buzz in the air means one thing: the Toronto Maple Leafs' season is just around the corner. With training camps on the horizon, hockey insiders are returning from summer vacations to offer their insights into the year ahead.
NHL insider Chris Johnston recently appeared on TSN's OverDrive to share his high expectations for Leafs captain Auston Matthews, outlining exactly why the superstar sniper is primed for a monster bounce-back campaign under a new regime.
Why Chris Johnston Expects an Auston Matthews Resurgence
After discussing the many changes new general manager John Chayka made this offseason, guest host Keegan Matheson asked Johnston how Matthews can get back to his previous form. Johnston acknowledged injuries factored into the former Hart Trophy winner's regression, but suggested the way the Leafs played last season didn't help Matthews.
Johnston predicted that new Maple Leafs coach Jim Hiller would change Matthews' usage, giving the team's first-line center more chances to use his offensive gifts than former coach Craig Berube. The TSN insider said neither Matthews' health nor Berube's usage of him was the only factor in his poor play; the Leafs' captain also needed to take responsibility.
As for 2026-27, Johnston stated, "I wouldn't bet against Matthews at this stage." He noted how Matthews trajectory for scoring goals to start a career was unmatched in NHL history until his recent production dip in the last two seasons.
Johnston remarked that the NHL's all-time goal-scoring leader, Alex Ovechkin, had a similar mid-career dip but rebounded to a scoring rate never seen before for a player in his thirties (and is still going strong). Despite saying he wasn't ready to make a bold declaration on Matthews, Johnston then listed reasons why the Leafs' captain is set for a resurgent year.
The hockey insider commented, "A healthy season for Auston Matthews, perhaps a renewed look from the coaching staff in terms of how he's used and what offensive situations he's given, the Leafs' power play improves, all these things, I think will lead you back to a world where he's among the better offensive players in the game as he has been multiple seasons in the past."
"All these things, I think will lead you back to a world where he's among the better offensive players in the game as he has been multiple seasons in the past."Chris Johnston on Auston Matthews
In Johnston's mind, with the tactical support from Hiller and improved health, the stage is set for Matthews to return to his dominant ways. If these expectations hold, Maple Leafs fans are about to witness a bounce-back season from their superstar leader. That would be the best news for the organization and its fans. Soon, all eyes will be on Matthews at training camp, hoping to see this vision turn into reality.
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