Auston Matthews’ recent posts on social media lead to crazy speculation!

With all the trade rumours swirling around in Toronto, it was no surprise when a new speculation was added to the mix. Thanks to Maple Leafs star forward Auston Matthews, who got fans reacting to his recent post on social media in which the superstar shared a picture linking him to former Arizona Coyotes now Utah Hockey Club forward Clayton Keller.

In the Instagram story from Matthews’ account, that was shared all over the place on X, the Leafs’ forward’s dog is having a play date with Keller’s pup. Which means the two players are hanging and fans quickly went back to a previous rumour that once linked Keller to a possible trade to Toronto.

Earlier this summer, they also attended UFC 303 together in Vegas and both posted stories on their respective Instagram of the event.

Of course, the time that Matthews and Keller are spending does not mean it will lead to a trade. Back at the All-Star Weekend, Matthews had picked Keller as part of his roster, stating how he loves spending time with him and how valuable of a player he is.

“He’s an unbelievable player,” Matthews said back in February. “I spend a lot of time with him in the summers and we like to hang out. We’ll skate and train together. In the summer skates, we always try to play together and have pretty good chemistry, so I really wanted him to be on the team. He’s really slippery, he’s extremely skilled, he shoots it really well, but he’s also an elite playmaker and he is having a great season.”

It wouldn’t be shocking if Matthews would want Keller to join his Maple Leafs, though it’d be hard to imagine having room for him, especially since it looks like Mitch Marner will stay put and honour the last year of his contract in Toronto.

The whole relocation ordeal has been tough on Keller and other players in Arizona, and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind moving to Toronto to play alongside one of his best buds.

Keller, who still has four years at $7.15 M per season, has played 520 games for the Coyotes where he put up 166 goals, 252 assists and 418 points.

Moving Marner would make room for Keller, though no speculation has surface that that’s something general manager Brad Treliving is looking into. But you just know Keller and Matthews would love it to come true.