Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is on the cusp of a milestone that could redefine his place in the broader story of one of hockey’s most historic franchises. With 401 career goals already to his name, the 27-year-old sniper is now just 20 goals shy of overtaking Mats Sundin as the all-time leading goal scorer in Maple Leafs history, a record that has stood for over a decade and symbolized the benchmark of greatness in Toronto’s blue and white.
Matthews’ journey to this point has been remarkably swift. Since being drafted first overall in 2016, he has consistently demonstrated not only a world-class scoring touch but a level of offensive consistency rarely seen in today’s NHL.
Even among the league’s elite, his ability to generate goals in high-pressure situations, against top-pairing defenders, and often while being the focal point of every defensive scheme has set him apart. That he is nearing this franchise record in under 10 seasons speaks volumes about his efficiency, his health (with a few exceptions), and most importantly, his game-breaking talent.
While Sundin’s 420 goals were spread over 13 seasons, Matthews is threatening to eclipse that mark in what will be just his ninth full NHL campaign. In doing so, he is poised to become the only active player in the league to hold the all-time goal-scoring record for an Original Six team, a rare and remarkable distinction considering the long list of legends who have worn those storied sweaters.
The Leafs, like their fellow Original Six counterparts, have seen their fair share of Hall of Famers pass through. Yet none in recent memory have had the singular goal-scoring dominance Matthews has brought year after year.
What makes this moment all the more compelling is the timing. Matthews is entering the 2025-26 season with renewed energy and, crucially, something to prove. His 33-goal campaign last year was seen by some as a downturn in production, though context is essential.
A lingering injury impacted both his mobility and his shot, forcing him to adjust his game in subtle ways that ultimately diluted his usual explosiveness. Now, seemingly healthy and reenergized, he returns to a roster that looks very different from the one he’s led in recent years. With longtime linemate Mitch Marner traded in the offseason, a greater share of the offensive responsibility will fall directly on Matthews’ shoulders — a challenge he appears fully prepared to embrace.
There’s an emotional undercurrent to this chase as well. Sundin remains one of the most respected figures in franchise history, not just for what he accomplished statistically, but for the grace and leadership he brought during a complex and often frustrating era for the Leafs. Matthews, in contrast, is leading the team during a time of heightened expectations.
Playoff disappointments have defined the modern Maple Leafs narrative, and Matthews fairly or not has often been placed at the center of that criticism. Yet few would dispute that he has remained the team’s most reliable and dangerous player, even when the stakes have risen and the spotlight has intensified.
What this record represents, then, is more than a statistical achievement. It is a turning point in the Matthews era. It signals the transition from stardom to legacy, from highlight reels to history books.
For all the talk of playoff droughts and unmet expectations, this moment reminds fans — and critics — that they are witnessing one of the most gifted players ever to suit up for the Leafs, and perhaps one of the finest pure scorers the league has seen in decades.
Whether Matthews reaches the mark early in the season or not until the midpoint, there’s a growing sense that it won’t just be another goal. It will be a moment, one that may earn a standing ovation loud enough to echo through generations of Leafs fans who have waited to see a homegrown star rise to the top of the mountain. It’s unclear whether Sundin himself will be in attendance, but his presence will be felt regardless. That quiet nod from one captain to another, separated by time but linked forever by their shared pursuit of excellence, will carry an undeniable weight.
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As the puck drops on a new season, all eyes in Toronto and across the hockey world will be watching Matthews closely. Not because there’s doubt about his ability to achieve this milestone, but because it marks the kind of historic benchmark that doesn’t come around often. For a franchise defined by long memories, elusive triumphs, and unshakable loyalty, Auston Matthews is offering something tangible, measurable, and profoundly meaningful: greatness, not as a promise, but as a fact unfolding in real time.
And in doing so, he may be reshaping how we talk about this era of hockey entirely.