NHL analysts rip into 'ineffective' Auston Matthews following Maple Leafs' disappointing start - "Doesn't work hard"

This season, under captain Auston Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs have started with a 5-5-1 record. Their defense and power play have both struggled. Auston Matthews has also not performed at his usual level. In 11 games, he has five goals and eight points. His shooting percentage is down to 10.9 percent from 18.7 percent in the 2023-24 season, when he scored 69 goals season.

On the Real Kyper and Bourne podcast, analysts discussed Matthews' form. Nick Kypreos said Matthews is not working hard enough.

"Not working hard. Doesn't work hard. Doesn't work hard for me. It's that simpel for me." Kypreos said.

Justin Bourne called him ineffective over several games.

"He has been ineffective for, I don't know how many games in a row now, one five goal so far. I don't know what it is. I don't know," Bourne said. "... I don't know what's going on with 34 right now, but it's a problem."

Sam McKee said the issue is not just about missing Mitch Marner, who was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights on July 1. This move happened after the Leafs' second-round loss to Florida in the 2025 playoffs. Marner played on Matthews' line and often served him great passes, leading the league as one of the best playmakers. He scored 102 points last year, his career best.

"There's lots of people screaming... being like, 'Mitch is one,'" McKee said. "That's a huge difference, which I think is a fair part of this conversation. But for a lot of last year, it looked exactly the same with 33 goals last year with Mitch, and he's been great without him in the past."

They agreed that Toronto needs Matthews to play better. William Nylander is leading the Leafs with 15 points, followed by Matthew Knies and John Tavares, tied for second with 14. Auston Matthews is fourth with 5 goals and 8 points.

"It's not like guys around Matthews have been terrible guys," Bourne said.

Replacing Marner’s 102 points after his trade has been tough. But Matthews’ slow start has made things harder for Toronto. He missed 15 games due to an injury last year, but played with it the entire season. So that should also be in consideration.

Nick Kypreos' comments on Auston Matthews' lacking 'energy'

Nick Kypreos suggested Auston Matthews might be dealing with burnout. He said Matthews looks like he is not enjoying himself. Hayes added that Matthews must find his energy again.

"There might be a little burnout," Kypreos said. "There just might be a small window right now where he just doesn't have the energy or the enthusiasm to come to the rink and be the best that he can be. It's real. "And it happens... you're not excited; you don't have that, that juice, that jam. And I think right now he looks a little bit like he's not enjoying himself, and he needs to find a way to get it back."

Auston Matthews still plays over 22 minutes each game and helps defensively. And in the past, we have seen that he can bounce back quickly. The Leafs need that the most right now, to improve their record and consistency.

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Edited by Ankit Kumar