The Toronto Maple Leafs locked in superstar forward Auston Matthews on Wednesday. Toronto signed the 25-year-old to a four-year contract that makes him the highest-paid player in the entire league. Matthews shared a message on social media, but he wasn't the only Maple Leafs player to speak on the deal.

Maple Leafs captain John Tavares also revealed his thoughts on Wednesday. The veteran forward was thrilled with the news. “Hearing that news today, it doesn't get better than that for us here in Toronto and our fan base,” Tavares said Wednesday, via NHL.com.

“I know how much he loves it here. The conversations I've had with him, he really wants to be here and continue to build and see this through and find our way to where we want to get to,” Tavares continued.

Matthews is one of the best players in the entire NHL. The two-time All-Star is a four-time 40-goal scorer and set a career high with 60 goals in 2021-22. This past season saw the Arizona native score 40 goals and 85 points in 74 games.

Article Continues Below
More Toronto Maple Leafs News
James van Riemsdyk with question marks around him, blue jackets, nhl free agency, free agent, James van Riemsdyk
3 best James van Riemsdyk destinations in 2025 NHL free agencyBryan Logan ·
Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitch Marner (16) moves the puck against the Florida Panthers during the first period in game three of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena.
Maple Leafs GM drops Mitch Marner contract truth bombSteve Silverman ·
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving listens to a question during a media conference to introduce new head coach Craig Berube (right) at Ford Performance Centre.
Maple Leafs’ Brad Treliving hints at major changes after another playoff exitChristopher Hennessy ·
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving speaks during a media conference to introduce new head coach Craig Berube (not shown) at Ford Performance Centre
Brad Treliving’s true feelings on Maple Leafs’ brutal series loss to PanthersQuinn Allen ·
Reilly Smith in a Kings Jersey, Los Angeles Kings logo and question marks around Smith, Golden Knights, Free Agent, NHL Free agency, Reilly Smith
3 best Reilly Smith destinations in 2025 NHL free agencyBryan Logan ·
Brandon Tanev in a Maple Leafs Jersey. Maple Leafs logo, questions marks around him, Jets, Brandon Tanev, Free Agent, NHL Free Agency
3 best Brandon Tanev destinations in 2025 NHL free agencyBryan Logan ·

Matthews and the Maple Leafs ended a long-standing playoff drought in 2023. Their victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning marked the team's first series victory in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2004.

Toronto now turns its attention toward winning the Stanley Cup. The Maple Leafs last won the Stanley Cup all the way back in 1967. In fact, the team hasn't even appeared in the Stanley Cup Final since then, either.

Matthews now has four years to try and win hockey's holy grail in one of its biggest markets. Let's see if he and Tavares can end the decades of misery for a fan base longing to see a Stanley Cup title once again.