Auston Matthews was noncommittal about his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs at the team's end-of-season media availability Thursday.
"I mean, I can't predict the future," Matthews told reporters, per TSN. "Obviously, there's steps that kinda have to take place. They gotta hire new leadership at management, stuff like that. I don't really know. ...
"There's always noise and there's always chatter. I think personally, I really don't pay attention to all that. I just focus on myself, focus on this team, and try to be a part of the solution."
Matthews is signed through the 2027-28 campaign at a $13.25-million cap hit. He's eligible to ink an extension beginning July 1, 2027.
"I love being the captain of this team," Matthews said. "I think it's an incredible honor to wake up every day and wear this jersey. That's not lost on me, even despite the circumstances and the way this season went."
Matthews' season ended in March after he sustained a Grade 3 MCL tear on a knee-on-knee hit by Anaheim Ducks captain Radko Gudas. The Maple Leafs were heavily criticized for their lack of response on the play.
"It was an unfortunate play," Matthews said, according to Nation Network's Arun Srinivasan. "I thought they responded in the third period."
Toronto had made the playoffs every season since Matthews was drafted in 2016.
"I believe in the guys in the room and the people we have here. ... We're all hopeful this is kind of a one-off," Matthews said, according to Sportsnet's Anna Dua.
