The New York Rangers knew since the start of the 2025-26 season that there wouldn't be a superstar waiting for them in free agency, as the likes of Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Kirill Kaprizov all signed contract extensions. The only real hope for the Rangers is if a superstar were to demand a trade off of their current team.
It appears the Rangers may have a decent shot at landing one now.
The Athletic NHL insider Chris Johnston reported in the hours after the introductory press conference of new Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager John Chayka and Senior Executive Adviser for Hockey Operations Mats Sundin that Auston Matthews "isn't sure if he'll be back in Toronto in the fall," despite having two years left on his contract.
"The only sales pitch Matthews needs at this stage is real action, according to league sources," writes Johnston. "Before committing to another season in Toronto, he wants to see a roster that has been meaningfully upgraded through trades and free agency. This isn’t about selling him on a fancy 12-point plan or a bunch of vague promises. Seeing is believing."
That provided new hope for Rangers fans. Well, until later on Tuesday night.
Rangers chances of landing Auston Matthews plummet after Maple Leafs win NHL Draft Lottery
The Rangers, who had the third-best odds to win the No. 1 pick, watched as the Leafs, who had the fifth-best odds, won the lottery for the chance to select Penn State's Gavin McKenna. As for the Rangers, they dropped down to the No. 5 pick, due in part to the San Jose Sharks winning the second overall pick. A disastrous night for the Rangers.
Not only does this add a wrinkle to the Rangers' plans of landing a potential superstar in the draft, but potentially at landing Matthews.
The Maple Leafs went in the wrong direction quickly after being eliminated from the second round of last year's playoffs by the Florida Panthers. This season, the Leafs fell down to last place in the Atlantic Division after winning it the year prior. Before the season ended, the Leafs fired General Manager Brad Treliving. After a much-followed search, they landed on Chayka and Sundin, the former who had a tumultuous tenure as general manager of the now-defunct Arizona Coyotes and the latter, who never had a front office role before.
After a disastrous press conference, Chayka, Sundin, and the Leafs were rewarded with the No. 1 pick. Even with the Leafs winning the No. 1 pick, it is not a full guarantee that Matthews will stay on board.
With Matthews, he has two more seasons left on his four-year, $53 million contract extension, where he is set to earn $13.25 million per year. If Matthews does want out of Toronto, that could very well open the door for the Rangers to swoop in.
Matthews has a full no-movement clause, so he has full say on where he could be traded to if even the addition of a McKenna is not enough to entice him to stay. The Rangers would have to bank on Matthews wanting to be traded to them. The Rangers do have the Team USA link with general manager Chris Drury and captain J.T. Miller. The good part is, if Matthews expresses a desire to play for the Rangers, they wouldn't have to give up too much, since the Maple Leafs would not have much leverage. Still, it could cost the Rangers some draft capital and some of their younger players.
For now, the Rangers just have to stick to their current offseason plans, whatever that may be. The easiest way, considering they are in a retool, is that they build through the NHL Draft. The lottery didn't fall in their favor, but they still have a chance to draft a top five talent. Plus, Drury and head coach Mike Sullivan revealed they were seeking a puck moving defenseman and bottom six forward depth who can play on special teams.
Based on Johnston's reporting earlier, Matthews' status with the Maple Leafs will be worth following later this offseason. There was a chance that the Rangers could snag them. But after the lottery, the dream is just that, a dream.
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