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The Toronto Maple Leafs should target this Minnesota Wild forward after seeing the chemistry he’s developed with Auston Matthews.
So much talk has gone into finding the right linemates for Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. Since Mitch Marner’s departure, the talk has focused on finding the right combination of players to surround the star center.
Well, it seems that the Maple Leafs may have their man. Except that the problem is that this ideal linemate for Matthews doesn’t even play for Toronto.
That linemate is Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy. Boldy and Matthews are part of Team USA’s second line at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The duo, along with Jake Guentzel of the Tampa Bay Lightning, has found some very good chemistry.
As Team USA coach Mike Sullivan noted, Matthews, Boldy, and Guentzel are getting better with each passing game.
“Auston’s game is building. It’s getting better with every game, and those guys are building chemistry.”
The comments, as reported by The Athletic’s Michael Russo and Mark Lazerus, showcase just how much better the Maple Leafs captain can be when surrounded by equally competent linemates. Matthews scored twice in Team USA’s 5-1 victory over Germany on Sunday. Matthews and his linemates have continued building on their success.
That’s something that encourages Sullivan to give his team the leeway it needs to find a groove. It seems like it’s paying off now.
“We’ve exercised some patience with that group, because we feel like those guys are capable, and we try to give them an opportunity to build a little bit of chemistry, and I think it’s unfolding right in front of us. Tonight was their best game on both sides of the puck.”
Maple Leafs fans can only dream of having Boldy with Matthews on a permanent basis.
Could Maple Leafs Trade for Boldy?
Since Boldy does not play for Toronto, the Maple Leafs would have to trade for him. But would that be a plausible move?
The Maple Leafs are a team looking to retool on the fly. So, adding someone like Boldy would be a major move.
Wild, on the other hand, are in win-now mode. Trading someone like Boldy would only make sense if the return was something that could put them over the top. That makes moving Boldy unlikely for the Wild.
But then again, anything can happen. The Maple Leafs could entice the Wild to move the former first-round pick.
The problem, however, is simple. The Leafs don’t really have anything the Wild need.
Boldy Landing in Toronto Is Nothing More Than a Pipe Dream
Barring a spectacular implosion in Minnesota that leads to a fire sale, the idea of Boldy landing in Toronto is a pipe dream. The Wild wouldn’t move Boldy unless it was for a major piece like Matthews himself or William Nylander.
And even then, jettisoning Boldy for Matthews would defeat the purpose of this thought exercise. The Wild are looking for a top-six center. The Maple Leafs, unfortunately, don’t have one to spare. If anything, the Leafs would like one of their own.
That said, things could change in short order. Never say never, regardless of how implausible a trade may seem.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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