NHL Trade Rumors: Coyotes pushing for Auston Matthews trade

To the surprise of nobody, the Arizona Coyotes are looking to acquire the first overall pick so they can draft hometown hero Auston Matthews.

Ever since the Toronto Maple Leafs won the draft lottery, fans have been anticipating what they will do with the first overall pick – the first time they’ve had one since they drafted Wendel Clark. The overall consensus is that they will choose American phenom Auston Matthews, who tore it up in the Swiss League, then impressed major scouts at both the World Juniors and World Championships.

However, if there’s one team that could threaten Toronto’s dreams of picking first overall on draft day, it’s the Arizona Coyotes. Matthews is a Scottsdale native and it would surely be a dream of his if he could land in his hometown market. As it turns out, the Coyotes are definitely pushing hard to acquire the pick, and have even outlined a potential trade package:

It certainly would take a lot for the Coyotes to persuade the Leafs to change their mind with regards to trading Auston Matthews. He’s viewed as a franchise player, and a top-line center, which is what teams build their future around.

Normally, offering Max Domi would entice the Leafs, but not when the first overall pick is on the line. Of course, Toronto has made some ridiculous decisions in the past which has led to them being bad for so long. But this current regime is arguably the smartest in all of hockey. They dealt three of the most unmovable contracts in Phil Kessel, David Clarkson, and Dion Phaneuf, and only retained salary on one of those players.

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Unless they really know what they’re doing, or they get a lucrative package in return, the Toronto Maple Leafs will not be parting ways with the first pick and Auston Matthews any time soon.

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