Auston Matthews to Minnesota: Bill Guerin is reportedly planning a major move

Does Auston Matthews' future lie in Toronto?

That… is a really good question.
After all, the Leafs aren't going anywhere. Brad Treliving needs to start a rebuilding process because things haven't been working out in the Queen City for far too long. And Matthews might be on his way out…
At least, that's what some people in the National Hockey League think. Elliotte Friedman mentioned it on the air on Sportsnet recently, and Michael Russo, who covers the Wild for The Athletic, did the same in a recent article.

But Russo takes it a step further… by saying that Bill Guerin is preparing his next (big) move, while referring to the Leafs' captain.
Russo has sort of linked Matthews' name to the Wild's, without openly stating that this is a concrete plan for Minnesota moving forward.
He (Bill Guerin) intends, this summer or next season, to try to strike a deal for another top-tier player like Quinn Hughes. – Michael Russo

Wild insider: After Quinn Hughes blockbuster, Bill Guerin is setting up his next superstar swing

By @JoeSmithNHL and me
https://t.co/rTFXnNdGwB via @NYTimes
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) March 16, 2026

Auston Matthews in Minnesota—it seems like that makes sense in a way.
He'd have the opportunity to return to play in the United States, he'd be playing for a team that has a shot at winning the Stanley Cup in the coming years… and Minnesota already has several highly talented players.
Matt Boldy, Quinn Hughes, Kirill Kaprizov…
Adding Matthews to that group would be a huge deal. It would completely transform the Wild and have a massive impact on both conferences in the National Hockey League.
The West would welcome a player who can single-handedly change the course of a game… while the East would, in a sense, be weakened by seeing an impact player like Matthews leave for another conference.
That would actually be really interesting. But we have to ask ourselves two questions:

1. Do the Leafs really want to move on from their captain?
2. Would the Wild be willing to pay a huge price to bring Matthews to Toronto? He'll have two years left on his contract (at $13.25 million per season) after this season… and the Leafs certainly won't give him up for peanuts either.
To be continued, then.

In a nutshell
— Indeed.

Bruins are playing tonight, Habs should have no excuse tomorrow
— HFTV (@HFTVSports) March 16, 2026
– Enjoy the read.

https://t.co/saVtGy3rUu
— Mikaël Lalancette (@MikLalancette) March 16, 2026
– Well……

How concerned should #GoHabsGo fans be about the team's defensive shortcomings?
Pierre McGuire: “This is normal stuff that happens”#thesickpodcast @MurphysLaw74 pic.twitter.com/qJi0FPmHVU
— The Sick Podcast – The Eye Test (@sickpodnhl) March 16, 2026

— Everyone gets their chance.

He should have had the honor long ago. https://t.co/dMVgC8BZby
— Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) March 16, 2026