"Matthews has struggled big time this season as he is on pace for his lowest point total season since his rookie year back in 2016-17. Matthews has dealt with a lot of injuries throughout his NHL career, and this is the first season we have seen it truly affect him. At the start of the season, Matthews claimed he was healthy, but the stats and the way he has looked will say otherwise."
"Through 33 games, Matthews has scored just 15 goals. For the average NHL player, many teams would be extremely satisfied with that production; however, when you make north of $13M per season, management and especially fans will be expecting more. The scary thing with Auston Matthews is how he looks. Matthews does not seem confident with the puck and doesn't have the ability to take over games anymore."
"Morgan Rielly is another player who will need to be better in 2026. Offensively, Rielly has been very productive, tallying 25 points in 38 games. But his game has taken a massive hit, and he has struggled mightily on the defensive side of the puck. He has been seen as a liability and someone that the coaching staff can't trust to be on the ice in crucial moments."
The Toronto Maple Leafs began the 2025-26 season poorly and need improvements to reach the playoffs in 2026. Auston Matthews, the captain, is on pace for his lowest point total since 2016-17 and has been affected by injuries that have reduced his confidence and game-taking ability. Through 33 games Matthews has 15 goals and has not dominated as expected for a high-paid star. William Nylander has provided some scoring, but other stars have been inconsistent. Morgan Rielly has produced offensively with 25 points in 38 games but has been a defensive liability, eroding trust in crucial moments and exposing thin defensive depth beyond Jake McCabe.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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