Auston Matthews: Contract, Charges, and What’s Wrong

There’s a curious tension about Auston Matthews: a player who commands the highest salary in the NHL yet can’t seem to escape questions about his focus and consistency, between a record-breaking contract extension, a disorderly conduct charge, and a season that’s left fans wondering what’s wrong — the Maple Leafs captain is facing more scrutiny than ever. This article separates the facts from the noise.

Born: September 17, 1997 ·
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs ·
Position: Center ·
Height: 6 ft 3 in ·
2024-25 Salary: $13.25 million

Thirteen key facts, one pattern: Matthews’ career is a story of elite talent, business milestones, and off-ice turbulence.

Is Auston Matthews the highest paid NHL player?

In terms of average annual value, yes. Matthews’ 2023 extension pays him $13.25 million per season, the highest AAV in the league (NHL.com). The four-year, $53 million deal, signed on August 23, 2023, begins with the 2024-25 campaign (Associated Press).

Who is the wealthiest hockey player ever?

• Wayne Gretzky remains the wealthiest hockey player ever, with an estimated net worth of $250 million (Wikipedia).
• Mario Lemieux and Bobby Orr also rank among the richest, but Matthews is still early in his career compared to those legends.

The implication: Matthews’ current contract puts him at the top of today’s salary chart, but he’s far from the all-time wealth list. His earning potential will depend on playoff success and endorsements.

What is Auston Matthews’ ethnicity?

Matthews was born in San Ramon, California, to a mother of Mexican descent and a father of European descent (Wikipedia). He identifies as an American of Mexican heritage and has spoken about the influence of his Mexican-American roots.

What is Auston Matthews’ background?

• His mother, Ema, is of Mexican descent; his father, Brian, is of European ancestry.
• Matthews grew up in Arizona, where he played youth hockey before being drafted first overall in 2016.

The pattern: Matthews is one of the few NHL stars with Mexican heritage, a background that adds to his unique story in a predominantly white sport.

What was Auston Matthews charged with?

In May 2019, Matthews was involved in an incident at a Scottsdale, Arizona, resort that led to a disorderly conduct charge (ESPN). The police report said the incident occurred around 2 a.m. on May 26, 2019, and involved a security guard. The charge was a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carried a maximum possible sentence of six months in jail and a $2,500 fine, though that outcome was considered unlikely (The Globe and Mail).

What happened with the disorderly conduct charge?

• The summons was issued on July 23, 2019, and a pretrial conference was scheduled (ESPN).
• The Toronto Maple Leafs said Matthews was cooperating fully with authorities (ESPN).
• On November 14, 2019, the case was dismissed (TSN).

The catch: The charge was dropped, but it left a mark on Matthews’ public image. For a player who had just signed a massive contract, the timing was awkward.

Why is Matthews struggling?

Matthews’ goal-scoring rate has dipped in 2024-25. As of March 2025, he had 20 goals, and his shooting percentage had fallen to 12.5%, down from his career average of 15.2% (Wikipedia). Speculation about a lingering undisclosed injury has circulated, but the team has not confirmed anything.

What’s really wrong with Auston Matthews this season?

• His scoring pace is below expectations for a player of his caliber.
• Some analysts, including The Athletic, have noted he looks a step slower.
• No official injury has been disclosed, leaving fans and media to guess.

Why this matters: The Maple Leafs are paying Matthews a premium to be their offensive engine. If he’s not producing at an elite level, the team’s playoff chances suffer.

Timeline

The paradox encapsulates the Matthews narrative: elite talent shadowed by off-ice issues.

Clarity: What we know and what we don’t

The balance of known and unknown defines Matthews’ current story.

Expert perspectives

“Matthews has looked a step slower this season, and his shooting percentage has dropped significantly.”

— The Athletic (report on 2024-25 season)

“Matthews was charged with disorderly conduct after an incident at a resort.”

— ESPN (report on the 2019 charge)

For the Maple Leafs, the choice is clear: they need the elite version of Matthews to justify the investment, or they risk another early playoff exit.

For a deeper look at his record-breaking contract and how it compares to other stars, his record-breaking contract provides a comprehensive breakdown.

Frequently asked questions

These FAQs address common public curiosity about Matthews’ personal and professional life.

For more on the Maple Leafs, read our articles on John Tavares: Salary, Captaincy, Booing, and Career Facts and Tie Domi: Biography, Family, Career, and the Infamous Incident.