The timing of Auston Matthews’ return to the Toronto Maple Leafs is unclear after he captained Team USA to a gold medal at Milano Cortina 2026 on Sunday.
Matthews helped lead the United States to an historic 2-1 overtime victory over Canada in the gold-medal game at the Olympics in Italy to claim the country’s first gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980.
Some uncertainty around when Team USA players will rejoin their NHL clubs. The Leafs are in Tampa Bay on Wed. USA has been invited to the Whitehouse tomorrow, so Toronto is unclear as to when Auston Matthews will return to the team. A challenge for all NHL clubs with US players.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 23, 2026
Team USA is invited to the White House to celebrate their victory with President Donald Trump on Tuesday and the Maple Leafs return to the ice to begin their post-Olympic break on Wednesday in Tampa Bay.
The Scottsdale, Ariz., native registered three goals and seven points during the Olympic Games en route to a gold medal.
He also has 26 goals and 48 points in 51 games in Toronto this season as the Maple Leafs look to make a push for the playoffs.
Toronto sits tied for sixth place in the Atlantic Division with the Ottawa Senators after going 27-21-9 before the Olympic break. They sit six points back of the Boston Bruins for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The NHL returns from hiatus on Wednesday with eight games on the schedule.
