LOS ANGELES -- With the NHL trade deadline set for Thursday, March 7, speculation is intensifying around some of the league’s biggest names — and the Los Angeles Kings have emerged as the betting favorites to land Auston Matthews if the superstar center is dealt.
According to trade odds released by BetOnline.ag for the 2025-26 season, Los Angeles is listed at 1/1 to be Matthews’ next team, ahead of the Dallas Stars (4/1) and the Anaheim Ducks (6/1). The Minnesota Wild (7/1) and San Jose Sharks (10/1) round out the top five.
Matthews’ current club, the Toronto Maple Leafs, are outside the playoff picture looking in, fueling league-wide chatter that the franchise could consider a seismic move before the deadline as contenders look to fortify their rosters for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The 28-year-old Matthews remains one of the NHL’s premier goal scorers and a former Hart Trophy winner. A move to Los Angeles would instantly elevate the Kings into the conversation among Western Conference heavyweights and give them the type of elite, franchise center they have lacked since the peak years of Anze Kopitar.
Los Angeles is also listed prominently in odds for other marquee names. The Kings are 2/1 to acquire Elias Pettersson, trailing only the Detroit Red Wings (3/2). They also appear on the board for veterans such as Nazem Kadri (16/1) and Ryan O'Reilly (5/1).
Other notable names with posted trade odds include Jordan Binnington, Robert Thomas, Sergei Bobrovsky, Vincent Trocheck and William Nylander.
Whether Toronto ultimately parts with Matthews remains to be seen, but as the clock ticks toward March 7, the betting markets suggest Los Angeles is the team to watch if the NHL’s biggest domino falls.
