Auston Matthews Next Team Odds: Kings, Stars Are Top Trade Destinations

The NHL world is buzzing. For the first time in his career, Auston Matthews, the cornerstone of the Toronto Maple Leafs franchise, is no longer considered completely untouchable. With the March 6 trade deadline rapidly approaching and Toronto sinking outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture, sportsbooks have already opened the board on where the 28-year-old superstar center could land next.

According to odds released by BetOnline, the Los Angeles Kings are the heavy betting favorites at +100, followed by the Dallas Stars (+400) and a crowded field of Western Conference suitors.

The Toronto Situation

The Maple Leafs have gone 0-3-1 out of the Olympic break, sitting at 27-24-10 on the season with playoff hopes nearly faded. The franchise feels like it has reached a crossroads, and GM Brad Treliving appears ready to sell assets ahead of the deadline.

The entire organization is crumbling under the weight of massive expectations, with the roster sitting at 64 points through 61 games and actively sinking out of the Eastern Conference wild-card picture.

Matthews returned from the 2026 Winter Olympics after captaining Team USA to a gold medal in Milan, helping set up the opening goal in a 2-1 overtime win over Canada in the final. But the post-Olympic glow faded fast back in Toronto and Maple Leafs fans have suddenly soured on the former Hart Memorial Trophy winner.

TSN analyst Jeff O’Neill implied Monday that he wouldn’t be surprised to see Matthews request a trade out of Toronto as early as this offseason, citing the intense media scrutiny Matthews has faced after returning home as a gold medalist for Team USA. As O’Neill put it, “Auston Matthews has been here for 10 years. It wouldn’t shock me if he said, ‘Check please.'”

Still, the most credible insiders are pumping the brakes on any imminent move. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Toronto’s management has absolutely no intention of trading their franchise cornerstone before Friday’s deadline, but that doesn’t mean a deal can’t materialize in the offseason.

Something has changed, however, according to HockeyBuzz.

Teams have begun preparing legitimate offers and there has already been some back-and-forth discussion behind the scenes.

For the first time in his career, Matthews is not considered untouchable — but the Maple Leafs are not actively shopping him. 

Auston Matthews Next Team Odds

Here are the latest odds for Auston Matthews’ next team, according to BetOnline.

Los Angeles Kings (+100)

A move to Los Angeles would instantly elevate the Kings into the conversation among Western Conference heavyweights and give them the type of elite, franchise center they have lacked since the peak years of Anze Kopitar.

Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos flagged the Kings as a likely candidate for Matthews, suggesting a package could potentially be built around Quinton Byfield and/or Brandt Clarke — though the Kings could be reluctant to part with the 23-year-old Byfield.

The Kings are clearly the oddsmakers’ top pick, and given Matthews’ Arizona roots and preference for a U.S. destination, the fit makes sense on paper.

Dallas Stars (+400)

The Stars check many boxes as a legitimate contender. Dallas is a perennial playoff team in the Western Conference and has the cap structure and prospect depth to put together a compelling package. 

Adding Matthews to a lineup already featuring Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz would make Dallas one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the league. 

At +400, the market clearly sees this as a real possibility if Los Angeles doesn’t get the deal done.

Anaheim Ducks (+600)

Anaheim landing at +600 is one of the more intriguing entries on the board. 

The Ducks are in the middle of a rebuild and hold enormous cap flexibility and draft capital. Any return for Matthews would need to be massive, and few assets around the league fit that description better than top young prospects. Anaheim has those in abundance. 

A deal would likely be offseason-oriented rather than deadline-driven.

Minnesota Wild (+700)

The Wild have been aggressive on the trade market this season and have the organizational depth to make a serious run at a player of Matthews’ caliber. 

Blue-chip goaltender prospect Jesper Wallstedt, who has often been compared to Carey Price, is among the players that have been floated around in a potential deal.

Minnesota’s cap situation and prospect pipeline make them a credible dark horse, and the franchise has shown it isn’t afraid to swing big.

San Jose Sharks (+1000)

San Jose is projected to have the most cap space of any team this offseason at over $54 million. 

Sportsnet writer Ryan Dixon boldly predicted that after missing the playoffs, Toronto will have a “cards-on-the-table” conversation with Matthews that results in him being dealt to the Sharks for a package built around top prospect Michael Misa. 

Matthews paired with Macklin Celebrini would be a franchise-altering duo, and the Sharks have the assets to make it happen.

The Bottom Line

Matthews remains under contract through the 2027-28 season after signing a four-year, $53 million deal in August 2023, carrying an average annual value of $13.25 million. His full no-movement clause means both sides would need to be aligned for any trade to happen involving the franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer. 

A trade before March 6 seems highly unlikely based on all available reporting. But with Toronto out of the playoffs, a summer conversation that reshapes the entire NHL could be coming. 

Whether the Leafs act before the deadline or wait until summer, one thing is clear: if Auston Matthews is traded, the NHL’s balance of power will shift wherever he lands.