The longer it goes on, the greater the chances that Auston Matthews will stay in Toronto.

In recent weeks, there has been some speculation as to whether Auston Matthews’ future lies in Toronto.

After all, his contractual situation was said to make him a logical candidate for a trade. This was in light of the fact that the chances of him leaving in the summer of 2024 from the player’s market seemed high.

But not so fast.

Brad Treliving, who replaced Kyle Dubas as Leafs GM, traveled all the way to Arizona to meet with the American to discuss what’s next for him. Of course, Treliving’s ultimate goal was to convince him to sign a new contract in Toronto…

And, without necessarily agreeing on a deal, let’s just say that things have progressed to the point where Elliotte Friedman is “convinced” that Matthews will sign a new agreement with the Queen City organization.

“I’m even more convinced Auston Matthews is signing.

In the latest 32 Thoughts episode, @FriedgeHNIC talks about Brad Treliving’s meeting with Auston Matthews and how he feels that the Leafs will get a max deal done.

Full 🎧: https://t.co/eJvhzVkeSj

Presented by @GMCCanada. pic.twitter.com/SVoibeM55M

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 16, 2023

Following his hiring, Treliving made it clear that he would listen to all offers this summer. There’s no one untouchable in Toronto, but we also know that the organization wants to keep the “Core Four” in place.

Auston Matthews is 25 years old. He still has one year left on his current contract, and on July 1, a no-movement clause will kick in. So, the idea of signing him now to avoid the chances of losing him for nothing in the summer of 2024 is ideal on the Leafs’ side.

We know that, for his part, the player wants to wait and see what happens with the situation behind the team’s bench. Dubas has been fired, and there have been whispers that Sheldon Keefe is next in line…

But, Darren Dreger said earlier today on Twitter that Keefe and Treliving have already begun their search to replace Spencer Carbery, who has accepted the head coaching position in Washington.

This leads me to believe that the Leafs won’t have a new head coach when next season kicks off. And it might encourage Matthews to sign a new contract in Toronto, assuming he likes playing under Sheldon Keefe.

Brad Treliving’s priority, as we know, is to sign Auston Matthews.

Right now, he’s trying to please his star player by keeping Sheldon Keefe in place. Treliving has also managed to attract Shane Doan as a special advisor to the GM, Doan being his childhood idol.

If I had to bet an old $2, I’d put it on the possibility of Matthews signing long-term with the Leafs. I didn’t have the same opinion two or three weeks ago…

But we know that things can change quickly in the National League.

In gusto

– It seems to me that it’s pretty early, isn’t it?

– The question must be asked.

– To be continued.

– They didn’t waste any time.