Ex-Maple Leafs GM pulls no punches questioning Auston Matthews’ captaincy amid lackluster start

Former Toronot Maple Leafs general manager Gord Stellick has shared honest thoughts questioning Auston Matthews’ leadership. The Toronto Maple Leafs have started the 2025-26 season with an 8-7-1 record, Auston Matthews' second season as the team's captain. He became the 26th captain in the Leafs' history on August 14, 2024, succeeding forward John Tavares. Matthews is the first American-born player to wear the “C” for Toronto.

Stellick shared his thoughts about Auston Matthews’ leadership on Tuesday. Speaking on The Fan Morning Show, he questioned whether Matthews has fully embraced his captaincy role.

"Auston Matthews plays a certain style that - he's kind of laid back, kind of the cool dude, and that's when you're not, you know, when you're when you're not winning..." Stellick said. [6:44 onwards via Sportsnet]

Stellick noted that Toronto once added veteran leaders like Joe Thornton and Wayne Simmonds, suggesting the team might have lacked leadership from within.

"I got to think that's the part that hasn't taken the next level." Stellic said.

The Leafs made a big deal by naming Matthews captain after Tavares following their first-round exit in the 2024 playoffs, so expectations are higher. He said fans have the right to expect more from Matthews as captain.

"They made a big deal about giving Auston the 'C' and taking it from John Tavares," Stellick said. "So we're right to have certain expectations that, for now, I don't know, at least from the outside, you know, what kind of leader is he?"

Stellick compared Matthews’ approach to Connor McDavid’s leadership in Edmonton, saying McDavid seems to have embraced the captain’s role more. Stellick also said the Leafs’ current issues reflect poor leadership.

"Everything's just a little bit off, and even then, that's not good enough," Stellick said. "Given the full pause that he and his teammates have, as far as the million breakaways, as far as being outshot 22 a game, ...

"That's a team thing, and that includes him and there. And there should be more on the leaders about why is that happening, and how and when it shouldn't happen, and how can you stop it."

Auston Matthews' performance drop in 2025-25 season

This season, Auston Matthews has nine goals and five assists through 16 games. The star forward scored 69 goals in the 2023-24 season but is now producing at a slower pace. Matthews continues to play in all situations but has not dominated early in the season.

This performance drop has been reflected in the Leafs, who are ranking sixth in the Atlantic Division. They average 3.69 goals per game but allow comparatively more. William Nylander and Tavares have carried the offensive responsibility.