The Maple Leafs' Biggest Offensive Addition?
When Auston Matthews scored 69 goals in the 2023-24 season, it felt like we were watching something special. Every night, there was a chance he'd do something nobody else in the NHL could do. He finished with 107 points in 81 games and looked well on his way to becoming one of the greatest goal scorers the game has ever seen.
Then, somewhere along the way, things changed.
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Matthews has been a shell of himself for the past two seasons.
Over the past two seasons, Matthews' numbers have fallen off quite a bit. He scored 33 goals in 67 games in 2024-25 and followed that up with 27 goals and 53 points in 60 games last season. For most players, those would be excellent numbers. For Matthews, they feel a little underwhelming because we've seen what he's capable of when he's at his best.
Which brings us to the big question Maple Leafs fans are asking this summer: What happened to Auston Matthews?
One obvious answer is injury. Matthews has looked less explosive since an awkward collision with the end boards late in 2023–24. He missed playoff games that spring, battled through injuries the following season, and at times simply didn't look like the same player. His skating seemed less dynamic, and the quick burst that made him nearly impossible to defend wasn't always there.
But injuries aren’t the only thing that set Matthews back.
But there may be another explanation as well. Craig Berube deserves credit for helping make the Maple Leafs a more responsible team. An argument could also be made that Matthews became an even more complete two-way player under Berube, often taking on difficult defensive assignments and playing a heavier, more structured game. That's valuable. Every championship team needs its stars to defend.
The question is whether that responsibility came at a cost. At his best, Matthews isn't merely a great all-around center. He's a terrifying offensive force who can take over games almost by himself. Sometimes it felt as though his natural attacking instincts were being sacrificed in favour of structure and defensive detail. The Maple Leafs may have become more responsible, but Matthews seemed less dangerous.
That's why Jim Hiller's arrival is so intriguing.
Hiller has a reputation as an offensive-minded coach who isn't afraid to let skilled players play to their strengths. If Matthews is finally healthy, Hiller's system could be exactly what he needs. The goal shouldn't be to turn Matthews into a one-dimensional scorer, but it should be to unleash the offensive creativity that made him one of the league's most feared players.
Maybe the last two seasons were mostly about injury. Maybe they were partly about usage. Most likely, it was a combination of both. Whatever the reason, there is plenty of room for optimism. Matthews is still in his prime, still one of the smartest players in hockey, and still possesses one of the greatest shots the game has ever seen.
If good health returns and Hiller can find the right balance between responsibility and attack, don't be surprised if next season feels a lot more like 69 goals than 27.