As the NHL season prepares for another dramatic chapter, the league was rocked by a headline-grabbing move that few saw coming. Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers’ iconic captain and arguably the best player in hockey, stunned fans and insiders alike by accepting a significant pay cut to stay with his team.
The news sent shockwaves through the hockey world, raising questions about loyalty, sacrifice, and the true meaning of winning.
But the real drama unfolded when Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews weighed in with a seemingly simple remark about McDavid’s decision—one that has unexpectedly ignited a firestorm among Leafs fans.
In a league where every comment is dissected and every motive questioned, Matthews’ words have sparked heated debates about dedication, ambition, and what it truly takes to chase the Stanley Cup.
Are fans overreacting, or does Matthews’ statement reveal something deeper about the mindset of today’s NHL superstars? With the Maple Leafs facing a season of change and uncertainty, and Matthews under the microscope like never before, the stage is set for a compelling story that could reshape the conversation around hockey’s biggest names. What’s really at stake behind these headlines? The answer may surprise you.
Photo credit: Sportsnet
Connor McDavid took a major pay cut to help the Edmonton Oilers, and now Auston Matthews is facing backlash from Leafs fans after his comments.
The biggest news of the NHL season dropped just one day before the regular season on Monday, with Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid taking a major pay cut to re-sign with the team for a further two seasons.
The news shocked everyone in the NHL world, with the Oilers captain clearly doing whatever he can to help lead the only team he’s ever played for in the NHL to their first Stanley Cup since 1990.
Auston Matthews Catching Heat for His Comments on Connor McDavid
Unsurprisingly, the news was a major talking point around the league on Tuesday, and when asked about it, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews had this to say:
“I think for him, it’s all about winning.”
Auston Matthews on McDavid’s extension with Edmonton at a ‘modest’ $12.5M AAV: “I think for him, it’s all about winning.”
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) October 7, 2025
On paper, it sounds like a simply nice comment from Matthews on how impressed he is that McDavid took a pay cut, but it turned into backlash from Maple Leafs fans as a result, with many taking it to mean that for Matthews, it isn’t all about winning.
Auston Matthews on McDavid’s extension with Edmonton at a ‘modest’ $12.5M AAV: “I think for him, it’s all about winning.”
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) October 7, 2025
Auston Matthews on McDavid’s extension with Edmonton at a ‘modest’ $12.5M AAV: “I think for him, it’s all about winning.”
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) October 7, 2025
Auston Matthews on McDavid’s extension with Edmonton at a ‘modest’ $12.5M AAV: “I think for him, it’s all about winning.”
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) October 7, 2025
It’s easy to see why some fans have taken his comment this way, and while Matthews took a big deal from the Leafs, he’s proven that he’s committed to winning as well, but thus far, he hasn’t been able to lead his team out of the second round.
Only time will tell whether or not Matthews can get it done with the Maple Leafs, but without Mitch Marner and plenty of cap space as a result, this is a team that comes into 2025/26 full of hope and optimism.
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