After scoring 60-plus goals and 100-plus points in two of the previous three seasons, it was quite a shock to see Auston Matthews‘ goal scoring and point production drop the way it did once Craig Berube took over as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
There were many factors at play over the last two years that resulted in Matthews not playing and producing up to his lofty standards, though Berube himself recently admitted that injuries were a key contributor.
He also stood firm on his decision to make Matthews play a 200-foot game, which some believed was limiting his offensive production.
“I think there were a lot of injuries over the last couple of years that hindered his goal scoring. I was trying to instill a 200-foot game for everybody, and if that meant he had to take more D-zone draws because he’s playing against top lines, that was my thought process. I stick by my guns. I think your best player, arguably your best player, has to play a 200-foot game. He’s going to have to play in the D zone at times and take faceoffs in the defensive zone,”
The now 29-year-old Matthews put up 78 points (33 goals, 45 assists) in 67 games and 53 points (27 goals, 26 assists) in 60 games during his time playing under Berube over the last two seasons.
Injuries, more defensive responsibility and the absence of Mitch Marner all combined to play into Matthews’ career-worst campaign in 2025-26.
Entering 2026-27 fully healthy, with a new and familiar face behind the bench in Jim Hiller and the additions of Gavin McKenna and Darren Raddysh to help him out, there are no excuses for Matthews not to get back to his Rocket Richard-winning form and, in turn, help bring the Maple Leafs back into the postseason.
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