TORONTO — Auston Matthews wanted to take his time.
The Maple Leafs were coming off their worst season in a decade — and his career — and change was afoot.
Following a summer of seismic shifts across the organization, Toronto’s captain is all-in ahead of the new season.
Matthews spoke to the media Wednesday as the Original Six franchise opened training camp with physicals, and gave new general manager John Chayka a thumbs up after a frantic 19-week sprint since taking charge in May.
The star centre, coming off surgery to repair a serious knee injury, says the GM has made “some great changes” to a roster that now includes two-time Stanley Cup winner Sergei Bobrovsky in goal, defenceman Darren Raddysh and No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna, along with head coach Jim Hiller.
The Maple Leafs, who finished last in the Atlantic Division in 2025-26 with just 78 points, open the regular season Sept. 29 at home against the Montreal Canadiens.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2026.
Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
