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Mike Modano on the Intense Pressure Facing Auston Matthews
Mike Modano shared his thoughts on the intense scrutiny that Auston Matthews is dealing with in Toronto. The Dallas Stars legend provided a straightforward take on the burden Matthews faces as captain of the Maple Leafs.
Fans have been critical of the Maple Leafs for not living up to expectations and for their struggles in the playoffs. As Team USA’s captain at the Olympics, Matthews feels this pressure more than ever.
Entering the NHL as the 1st overall draft pick, Matthews had big expectations from day one. Being named captain of the Maple Leafs only added to that weight.
Modano, who won a Stanley Cup, thinks that playing in Toronto can be overwhelming for even top-tier players. While appearing on TSN’s Over Drive, he mentioned how much demand there is for stars in this market.
“I don’t wish that environment, and that scrutiny up in Toronto on anybody,” Modano said. “You’re a little bit under the microscope, especially a very highly-talented kid as Auston [Matthews] is, the No. 1 pick, kind of coming in there.”
He added:
“You look to kind of resurrect the organization and kind of put them back on a trajectory to have some success in the playoffs and maybe make a run here or there.”
Mike Modano Says Auston Matthews Needs More Support
Mike Modano also pointed out that Auston Matthews requires more support in Toronto. Fans are closely watching how the team adjusts after Mitch Marner’s departure.
The Leafs have had difficulty maintaining consistent performance and filling Marner’s scoring role. After a rough start to his season, Matthews bounced back impressively and became the franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer along the way.
Prior to heading into Olympic break, Matthews recorded 26 goals and 22 assists for 48 points over 51 games. Nonetheless, Modano highlighted depth scoring as an area needing improvement-especially calling for an elite offensive defenseman.
“[Matthews] put up some great numbers, phenomenal scoring rate that has been going on. And I think it’s just a matter of trying to find some second-hand scoring around him, some depth,” Modano told TSN’s Over Drive. “It’s a luxury to have Quinn Hughes for [Kirill] Kaprizov and [Cale] Makar feeding [Nathan] Mac Kinnon coming up the ice.”
He added:
“I think it’d be nice for [Matthews] to have someone that could kind of free him up; keep the skate in and open that game up for him offensively.”
Modano Commends Matthews’ Performance
Modano also commended Matthews’ performance on ice and expressed his belief that he’s yet to hit his peak potential. At age 27, Matthews is still well within his prime years and could produce many high-scoring seasons ahead.
Even with Toronto’s playoff challenges, Modano noted public perception can change fast. He emphasized that achieving success during postseason play-particularly reaching at least Conference Finals-would shift how people view him.
“Productively, [Matthews has] been phenomenal. I think it’s just a matter of you start getting graded on playoffs and how deep you go, and how many you win,” Modano told TSN’s Over Drive. “That’s a tough measuring stick in Toronto for him.”
He added:
“I think he still has obviously ton of upside, and he’s got some pressure. But he just needs some love around him to kind of make it easy for him.”
Giancarlo Aulino Giancarlo Aulino is sports writer who covers UFC for Heavy. com. He began writing for Heavy in 2025 after providing MMA coverage for Sportskeeda. Giancarlo is an experienced journalist and interviewer, having covered soccer clubs Toronto FC and Inter Toronto FC as a full-season reporter, and also producing sports coverage for Toronto radio station VIBE 105.5FM. More about Giancarlo Aulino
