Auston Matthews is taking the Maple Leafs back to his Scottsdale roots before the games start to count, with Toronto using the next several days in Arizona to bring together a club that has undergone major change since the spring.
Key takeaways
- Toronto will spend the weekend in the Scottsdale-Tempe area, with Matthews arranging golf, dinners and a gathering at his home.
- The Maple Leafs are scheduled to skate Saturday at Mullett Arena before flying back to Toronto on Sunday.
- Matthew Knies, another Arizona product, will have time to visit family during the trip.
- Top 2026 draft pick McKenna returns to the building where he made his NCAA debut last October.
- Toronto opens its regular season Tuesday at home against the Montreal Canadiens at 7 p.m. ET.
Arizona trip gives new-look Leafs time together
Matthews grew up in Scottsdale, and the captain was eager to show teammates a different side of his hometown before the regular-season opener. The itinerary includes a round of golf, restaurant stops and an evening at Matthews’ house.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Matthews said before the team left Toronto on Thursday. “There’s some room between now and Tuesday’s first game, so it gives us a chance to get away together before the season begins. That matters.”
Matthews was smiling when he acknowledged the location could not be much better for him. “I’m certainly not going to complain that we’re going to my hometown,” he said. “I’m excited.”
The trip carries added value after more than two dozen changes across the roster and front office since John Chayka became general manager and Mats Sundin joined hockey operations as senior executive adviser on May 3. Jim Hiller, hired as coach June 17, sees the weekend as a useful chance to establish some chemistry.
“It’s excellent,” Hiller said. “When you have this many new people — coaches and management included — getting away together is beneficial no matter where you go. It gives everyone a chance to laugh and relax a little.”
Hiller noted that the travel distance is offset by having the captain play host in Arizona, along with the favourable weather. He said Matthews has plans for the group and that the club intends to make the most of the time away from the Toronto spotlight.
Saturday’s practice is set for Mullett Arena. Gavin Bayreuther played his first game for Penn State there against Arizona State nearly a year ago.
Homecoming for Knies and a return for McKenna
Knies will also be back on familiar ground. The Phoenix native developed through Arizona minor hockey and expects to see his parents and other relatives while the Leafs are in town.
“I’m pretty excited,” Knies said. “I’ll get an opportunity to see my parents and family, which is really nice, and maybe spend some time at home. That will be good. I’m thrilled to get down there.”
For McKenna, the weekend marks another stop in a fast-moving first year around the professional game. Toronto selected the 18-year-old first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft, and he will return to the arena where he recorded two assists in his NCAA debut for Penn State during a 6-3 win over Arizona State on Oct. 3, 2025.
Only 51 weeks have passed since that night, and McKenna added another milestone Wednesday in Toronto. He collected his first professional point, assisting on John Tavares’ goal in a 6-1 preseason victory against the Ottawa Senators.
Matthews, the first pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, said McKenna has already shown why the organization is so excited about his future.
“You see the flashes,” Matthews said. “Whenever he gets the puck, something happens. It’s a really exciting time for him, and he needs to take it all in and enjoy it. That’s important.”
The Maple Leafs return to Toronto on Sunday, practice Monday and then welcome Montreal to begin the regular season Tuesday. The Canadiens game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on TVAS and SN.
