Auston Matthews is being urged to play a role in recruiting Zach Werenski to the Toronto Maple Leafs. On June 30, 2026, TSN's Bryan Hayes suggested that Matthews, who is close with Werenski, should be calling him to persuade him to join the team.
What happened?
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked to Werenski, but Hayes believes that Matthews should be involved in the recruitment process. Hayes said that if the NHL is moving into NBA territory, then players should be recruiting players.
The Maple Leafs lack an elite defenseman, and Werenski's skills would be a major asset to the team. Werenski is coming off a stellar season with 81 points and has won the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics playing for Team USA, led by Matthews.
Why it matters for Auston Matthews
Matthews' involvement in the recruitment process could be significant, as he and Werenski are close. Hayes hopes that Matthews is calling Werenski and telling him to join the team. However, Jeff O'Neill questioned whether the Maple Leafs have the necessary assets to complete a trade for Werenski.
What comes next?
The final decision rests with Werenski, who has a no-move clause. If Werenski is available, it will cost the Maple Leafs a significant amount to acquire him. NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman believes that the Maple Leafs will try to trade for Werenski, but it will be a challenging process.
Werenski's all-around impact makes him one of the NHL's premier defensemen. The Maple Leafs have reshaped parts of their roster, but an elite, puck-moving defenseman remains a major need. Matthews recruiting Werenski would not guarantee a trade, but it reflects the importance of star players in influencing league movement.
On June 30, 2026, Friedman reported that the Maple Leafs will try to trade for Werenski, but the price will be enormous. Werenski is a top-five defenseman in the league, and his skills would be a major asset to the team. The Maple Leafs' interest in Werenski is easy to understand, given their lack of an elite defenseman.
The recruitment process will be challenging, but Matthews' involvement could be significant. Hayes hopes that Matthews is doing everything he can to persuade Werenski to join the team. The outcome of the recruitment process remains to be seen, but one thing is certain - the Maple Leafs need an elite defenseman like Werenski to compete at the highest level.
As the situation develops, the Maple Leafs and their fans will be watching closely to see if Matthews can help recruit Werenski to the team. With the 2026-2027 season approaching, the Maple Leafs need to make some key moves to strengthen their roster. The recruitment of Werenski would be a major coup for the team, and Matthews' involvement could be the key to making it happen.