Analyst Hot Take Outlines Blockbuster Matthews-for-Michkov Trade

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers are both hoping they can make a deep playoff push this season, but a recent article from Matt Larkin outlines a potential blockbuster involving a superstar in Auston Matthews, and a potential future superstar in Matvei Michkov.

Let’s keep in mind, Larkin clearly stated that this idea was a hot take, and not a report or something that fans should take as a true rumour.

Larkin, who called it a “piping-hot take,” writes, “After the Toronto Maple Leafs miss the playoffs again, Auston Matthews tells management he’s ready to move on. He’s traded during 2027 NHL Draft week.” He continued, “Despite his improved physique, Matvei Michkov can’t get on the same page as Rick Tocchet, and Michkov ends up part of a blockbuster that sends Matthews to the Philadelphia Flyers.”

With his explanation, Larkin continued, writing, “The Leo Carlsson offer sheet showed that Flyers GM Danny Briere is willing to spend massive money on a superstar center, and Matthews would accelerate the team’s timeline significantly. Meanwhile, the Leafs, who began fostering a Russian contingent with Marchenko and Sergei Bobrovsky, would buy low on a high-ceilinged talent while netting some other useful draft-pick capital.”

Crazy trades like this are never impossible, as we have seen insane things over the past couple of seasons around the NHL, but the Flyers landing one of the best goalscorers of all-time, in exchange for someone that could be a franchise superstar, is an outrageous idea. However, that is the beauty of a hot take, sometimes they’re supposed to be a little crazy.

Maple Leafs Likely Only Move Matthews if He Wouldn’t Re-Sign

Matthews is signed with the Maple Leafs through the 2027-28 season, and while he will likely be looking for a pay raise on his next deal, he could reconsider extending if the Maple Leafs aren’t competitive in the next couple of seasons.

If Matthews informs the Maple Leafs he wouldn’t re-sign, the Maple Leafs could get a huge trade package in return from any team that has interest, and realistically, there will be a ton of interest from around the league.

Even if there is an inkling that Matthews could re-sign, the Maple Leafs won’t move him and will try to keep him around. Either way, there is a slim chance he gets traded.

Flyers Aren’t Likely Destination

If the Maple Leafs decided to trade Matthews, I don’t see the Flyers as a likely destination for him. It does make sense that they have a strong package to offer in a trade, if it includes Michkov, but I also find it hard to believe they would trade him.

Unless Michkov has a serious downgrade in his play over the next couple of seasons, the Flyers likely keep him on their list of untouchable players.

What Teams Could Pursue Matthews?

In a world where Matthews becomes available for a trade, there are a few suitors. If there was a team in Arizona, that’s where I would predict him to land, but there isn’t.

The Florida Panthers can never be counted out, but it would be tough for them to pull it off, even in a couple seasons. The Washington Capitals could try to replace the best goalscorer of all-time with the next best thing offensively, the Vegas Golden Knights are always in on the big-name superstars, and the Montreal Canadiens could still be looking for a home run acquisition.

At the end of the day, Matthews seems committed to remaining with the Maple Leafs, and while all the mock trades and hot takes in the world could connect him to other teams, seeing him get moved is unlikely.

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