Coming off the worst season of his NHL career, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is determined to return to the level of play that made him a perennial Hart Trophy candidate.
"For myself, the last couple years have been tough," Matthews told team reporter Ryan Leslie. "I haven't really felt super healthy, obviously ... especially how last year ended. For myself, I'm extremely motivated going into this year to get back to the level that I know I can be at. I'm really excited to be able to show that."
Matthews produced 27 goals and 53 points in 60 games last season. His campaign ended prematurely when he suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear in March courtesy of a hit from Radko Gudas.
"It's obviously a tough way to end the season last year, but I think there's always positives that you can take out of adversity, negative moments," Matthews said. "I feel like coming back here now, (it's) probably the best I've felt in a long time."
Matthews also missed 15 games in 2024-25 due to an upper-body injury.
His last healthy season was 2023-24, and he set career highs with 69 goals and 107 points in 81 games. He won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, finished fourth in Hart Trophy voting, and came third in Selke Trophy voting. Matthews won the Hart Trophy when he potted a league-leading 60 goals in 73 games in 2021-22.
Last season was also the first time the Maple Leafs have missed the playoffs since drafting Matthews first overall in 2016.
"It's tough when you're losing," Matthews said. "It's tough when you're losing here in a place that's so passionate about their team and passionate about winning games and accomplishing something great in the spring."
There's ample pressure on the Maple Leafs to return to the postseason this year. For starters, they don't have their own first-round pick until 2029. Additionally, Matthews is entering the second-last year of his contract. He'll be eligible to sign an extension July 1, 2027.
