In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves across the hockey world, the Buffalo Sabres have acquired superstar forward Auston Matthews from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a blockbuster trade finalized late Tuesday afternoon.
Sources confirm that the Sabres and Maple Leafs have agreed to a multi-player deal that sends Matthews to Buffalo in exchange for a package that includes rising star Dylan Cozens, top defensive prospect Ryan Johnson, a 2026 first-round draft pick, and conditional picks tied to Matthews’ contract status after the 2025–26 season.
The deal marks one of the most significant trades in recent NHL history and instantly alters the balance of power in the Eastern Conference.
A New Era in Buffalo
The acquisition of Matthews is a bold signal that the Sabres are no longer rebuilding — they’re going for it. After years of struggling to make the postseason, Buffalo is now seen as a legitimate contender.
“We are beyond thrilled to welcome Auston to Buffalo,” said Sabres GM Kevyn Adams in a press conference. “This is a transformative moment for our franchise, and we believe Auston can help us take that next big step.”
Matthews, 27, is coming off a 54-goal, 108-point season and remains one of the most dynamic goal scorers in the game. He has one year remaining on his contract, but insiders say Buffalo is already working on a long-term extension.
Maple Leafs Signal a Reset
For Toronto, the trade marks the end of an era. Matthews, drafted first overall in 2016, was the face of the franchise for nearly a decade, leading the team in scoring and helping usher in a new era of Maple Leafs hockey.
Toronto GM Brad Treliving addressed the media shortly after the deal was announced. “This was an incredibly difficult decision. Auston is a world-class player and person. But given our cap constraints and the direction we need to go, we felt this move gives us long-term flexibility and brings in young, controllable talent.”
Toronto fans are expectedly divided, with many expressing heartbreak over losing a franchise cornerstone, while others are optimistic about the potential of Cozens and Johnson and the new cap space it creates.
NHL World Reacts
Reactions across the hockey world were swift and emotional. Former players, analysts, and fans took to social media to express their shock and debate the winners and losers of the trade.
“Huge gamble by Buffalo, but if they sign him long-term, it could pay off big,” said TSN’s Darren Dreger.
“This is the kind of swing you take when you want to win NOW,” added ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.
What’s Next?
Matthews is expected to join the Sabres’ training camp in the coming weeks and is already being touted as the future captain. With young stars like Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, and now Matthews, Buffalo appears poised for a deep playoff run.
Meanwhile, Toronto shifts focus to reshaping its roster around Mitch Marner and William Nylander, with plenty of cap space to make moves before the season opener.
One thing is clear: the Atlantic Division just got a whole lot more interesting.
