As the 2026 Winter Olympics unfold in Milano Cortina, Auston Matthews will be leading Team USA as the captain. In many ways, this assignment is an opportunity to prove his naysayers wrong.
With questions surrounding his ability to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs, what he’ll be doing over the next couple of weeks is more than wearing a letter. For Matthews, this Olympic stage presents an opportunity to challenge one of the most persistent narratives that has followed him throughout his career in Toronto: he’s a terrible captain.
Can Matthews Lead Team USA To Gold?
Matthews will have Matthew Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy alongside him as captains of this stacked Olympic team. There could have been several worthy names to choose from, but despite how poorly things have gone in Toronto this season, USA Hockey already trusted Matthews with the “C”.
He was the captain at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and he’ll be asked to do something with this group that he and his teammates weren’t able to do there — win gold. At 28, Matthews is firmly in his prime, but he’s been inconsistent this season. Sometimes he’s red hot, sometimes he’s not. The hope is that he’s feeling it in Italy. Either way, the biggest questions surrounding him may have little to do with his on-ice production.
Matthews has plenty of hardware to prove he’s an elite scorer—three Rocket Richard Trophies, a Hart Trophy, and, as of January 2026, the title of all-time leading goal scorer in Maple Leafs history after surpassing Mats Sundin.
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Still, back in Toronto, that résumé hasn’t fully insulated him from criticism. Leadership questions have lingered, especially during seasons when the Maple Leafs have struggled to meet expectations.
What Does Matthews Have To Do To Change The Narrative?
Some of what gets in the way for Matthews is his demeanor. He’s calm to fault for some, often understated, and chooses not to talk with the media as often as some other leaders. In a market like Toronto, where the media dissect everything, staying silent can be detrimental.
This season in particular, the team’s regular-season struggles have only added to the ongoing playoff frustrations, raising questions about whether Matthews is the type of captain who can drag a group through adversity. As one fan put it, “You can kiss the gold medal goodbye. Auston Matthews couldn’t captain a paddle boat. Terrible decision.”
Fair or not, those doubts have persisted. In that context, the Olympics offer something rare: a clean slate and a different lens through which to evaluate Matthews as a leader.
Team USA Has Plenty Of Storylines
A strong Olympic performance could go a long way toward reframing the conversation. Team Canada remains the favorite at the Olympics, but Team USA is stacked with talent. If that group can overcome the odds, Matthews can step up his presence in moments where a real leader is needed; he’ll be king again. At least for a little while.
This is a team with some interesting storylines. J.T. Miller has his own baggage following him into the Olympics. Meanwhile, the Tkachuk brothers are always one step away from going over the line. If Matthews can become the face of a group that comes together without issue, that will mean a lot.
Even if Team USA ultimately falls short of gold, a dominant individual performance will help. Matthews can’t shrink when the stakes rise. Should he, assumptions he’ll vanish at playoff time (assuming the Leafs stand a chance of getting in) will monopolize the conversation.
