Auston Matthews has a glint in his eye, and the Maple Leafs hope the goals will follow

'He's smiling and he's having fun … and he's being the great leader that he is,' GM Chayka says.

Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, flanked by Gavin McKenna, left, and John Tavares, says there was “a lot of good change” in the team’s off-season.

Auston Matthews never sounds too excited when he speaks. He has a low-key, even-keeled delivery regardless of the message.

But his eyes lit up Wednesday as he covered a variety of topics pertaining to the Maple Leafs and the 2026-27 season.

“There’s always a level of excitement, but there’s been quite a bit of change this year,” Matthews said as training camp opened with medicals and media scrums. “I think it’s been a lot of good change. Everybody seems like they’re very excited and on the same page and ready to get going.”

It was an off-season of change. New players. New coaches. New front office. But the constant is Matthews. A healthy, productive Matthews will carry the team further than any of the changes around him.

“He’s full go,” GM John Chayka said. “One hundred per cent. Physically, looks great.

John Chayka arrived as Leafs GM and did what he had to do. The question is whether he did it right.