'Wasn't Up to My Standard': Auston Matthews Breaks the Silence on His Declining Play
Auston Matthews wasn't at his best in 2024/25, and now, the Maple Leafs captain has opened up on his motivation to get back to his best this season.
Last season was another successful regular season campaign for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and while they wouldn't turn that into a deep post-season run, there were plenty of positives to take out of the year for the team.
One thing that wasn't a positive was the step back that Auston Matthews took in production, with the captain fighting through injuries to post 33 goals and 78 points, just a season removed from an incredible 69 goal and 107 point campaign.
Matthews Opens Up On His On-Ice Struggles
In a recent interview with Jonas Siegel and The Athletic, Matthews opens up on those struggles, noting that 2024/25 wasn't his best season of his career, vowing to get back to what he believes is his standard.
I know that the level I was at last year wasn't up to my standard.
In 2025/26, Matthews has clearly taken the promise to be better to heart, as he has picked up 4 goals and 6 points through seven games, putting him well on pace to get at least 40 or more this season, a feat that he's achieved six times across his nine year NHL career to date, including two 60 goal seasons.
Unfortunately, his Maple Leafs are just 3-3-1 through seven games this year, so Matthews as the captain now needs to balance his personal production with team goals, but if he can continue playing at this level and driving the offense, good things should happen for the Maple Leafs in 2025/26.
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