Former Maple Leafs player and current Sportsnet analyst Nick Kypreos is questioning Matthews' fit for the captain role, one Matthews inherited at the start of the 2024-25 season. Speaking on Sportsnet's “Real Kyper and Bourne,” Kypreos said Matthews' talent isn’t in question, but his leadership ability should be.

Matthews is an unbelievable player during the regular season, shaped as one of the best goal scorers in the NHL. Once the playoffs begin, though, the script is flipped, especially

Expected by many to step up and deliver for the Maple Leafs in the do-or-die contest, Auston Matthews instead laid an egg, as he was not able to find the back of the net on two shots on goal. After netting the game-winning score in Game 6, Matthews fell silent in Game 7, leading to massive ridicule from hockey fans online.