Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Breaks Silence on Trade Deadline Acquisitions

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Chris Gerics
March 8, 2025 (12:29)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs made some key trades at the NHL Trade Deadline and with a serious chance to win now, Auston Matthews has given his take on the deals.

Going into the deadline, GM Brad Treliving was under immense pressure to make a deal or two in order to fill some much needed holes in his lineup. He did just that with Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo, both very solid options even if it did cost Toronto one of their top prospects.

All things considered it's a success for Toronto, and for their captain it seems like he's also quite pleased with the moves, as Auston Matthews gave his comments regarding the deadline pickups for the Maple Leafs:

It's an exciting time of year. We've got our group now. There are no changes that can be made. You know, we know who we're rolling with, and I think that's the exciting part.

He especially seemed to like the addition of Carlo as well:

He's a big man. Hard to play against.

Auston Matthews Excited For Trade Deadline Acquisitions

No doubt the two have a long history with each other, as both Boston and Toronto have faced off numerous times in the regular season as well as the playoffs; so Matthews knows what he brings to the table.

The moves give Toronto a much more balanced lineup with Laughton locking down the 3C and giving Max Domi a chance to slide to the wing (no word on Nick Robertson's future yet) while giving Morgan Rielly a true stay-at-home defenseman who has a proven track record.

This season, Laughton has 27 points (11G, 16A) in 60 games while playing solid defense, winning face-offs, and killing penalties; a massive boost for Craig Berube's lineup.

Carlo has nine points (1G, 8A) in 63 games but adds 119 blocks and 64 hits (although he's had over 100 the past three seasons).

While Matthews is definitely happy with the deals, it must be a little frustrating to see rival Florida beef their lineup (especially with Brad Marchand now) and being so close to Mikko Rantanen yet so far away.

But Toronto is a lot more balanced than they would be, and with Laughton and Carlo, they look set to make a strong push to win the Atlantic and make a deep playoff push.

At least, that's what we all hope.

POLL
19 HOURS AGO \| 278 ANSWERS Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Breaks Silence on Trade Deadline Acquisitions Do you think Auston Matthews is excited or disappointed in the Maple Leafs' trade deadline deals?
▢ Excited! He gets a chance to actually win!
▢ Disappointed, he wanted Mikko!

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