Matthews hopes for deadline adds: 'You'd love to see a boost'

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is hopeful his bosses do some shopping prior to Friday's trade deadline.

"You look at our division, in particular. It's obviously very tight, and we know management is gonna do the best they can. All we can do is just trust in them," Matthews told Sportsnet's Luke Fox.

"I mean, of course, you'd love to see a boost, I think, with the way that we've played this year and the position that we're in right now."

The Maple Leafs enter Wednesday's tilt with the Vegas Golden Knights atop the Atlantic Division with 79 points through 69 games. The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning are both within three points and have each made big splashes already. The defending champions brought in defenseman Seth Jones, while the Bolts grabbed forwards Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand.

The Maple Leafs have stood pat to this point but are reported to be seeking upgrades at center behind Matthews and John Tavares, as well as on the blue line.

"We feel really confident, really good about our team and our group," Matthews said. "But this time of year, obviously, you see teams adding, and you want to add as well."

Matthews has been limited to 46 games this season due to multiple injury absences and is producing well below the pace that won him the "Rocket" Richard Trophy in three of the past four campaigns.

This deadline will be Brad Treliving's second as Toronto's general manager. He made minor depth additions last year and may be forced to do so again with limited cap space and no first-round pick in 2025.