Amidst a tumultuous season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL insider Nick Kypreos has ignited trade speculation by suggesting a blockbuster deal that would send Auston Matthews to the Los Angeles Kings. Speaking on a recent episode of "Real Kyper & Bourne," Kypreos presented the idea as a strategic move for both teams, with the Kings potentially seeking a replacement for Anze Kopitar as he nears retirement. The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, are currently enduring one of their roughest stretches in franchise history, sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 15-15-5 record.

Kypreos highlighted Matthews' California roots as a potential draw, suggesting that the star center could thrive in a less pressured environment in Los Angeles. He emphasized that this is likely an offseason decision, rather than a mid-season move. Kypreos also stated that he believes that other teams would still value Matthews despite the Maple Leafs' struggles.

The suggestion comes as the Maple Leafs struggle to find consistency in the 2025-26 season, leading to questions about the team's direction. The team recently fired assistant coach Marc Savard after going 0-3 on their road trip. Some believe that a coaching change won't be enough to fix the team's problems.

Kypreos believes the Maple Leafs should receive a significant return for Matthews, suggesting a package including "two players that could play now and a first-round pick". He also compared Matthews' trade value to that of Quinn Hughes, implying that Toronto should still be able to land a massive return. For the Kings, Kypreos believes that Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke could be potential assets that the Leafs would ask for in return.

While acknowledging the speculative nature of the proposal, Kypreos argues that the trade could benefit both teams. The Kings would gain a superstar to lead them into the future, while the Maple Leafs would acquire valuable assets to rebuild their roster.

It remains to be seen whether the Maple Leafs will seriously consider trading their captain, especially given that Matthews has a no-movement clause, meaning he would need to approve any trade. However, the suggestion from Kypreos has undoubtedly sparked debate and discussion about the future of Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs.