News Article: Auston Matthews - August 1st., Contract Crickets

[MCR74]

Agreed, but if he plays extreme hardball today imagine what will happen next June.
Which headline do you want to see before June 30th, 2023
...Matthews rejects Leafs desperate offer and enters final year of contract armed with a no trade clause
Or
...Leafs agree to blockbuster trade, sending Matthews to....(name your team) on eve of no trade clause kick in.

I pick number 2.

I don't want 8 more years of salary cap hell.

A potential 8 year deal scares me. What if his wrist doesn't return to form?

 

[Trapper]

The constant that had the largest impact is gone.
I believe Treliving will handle things differently.

We will have to wait and see I guess.
Hopefully, if everyone is re-signed, this time we leave ourselves an “out” with limited no trade clauses.

 

[WillNy29]

Sorokin is making $1m less than Soup. If they used Nurse's money to sign Petro, McDavid would have had a Cup by now IMO.

One more thing, if he'd sign here for $15m, I'd move heaven and earth.

why? he hasn't won anything and it would hinder our cap

 

[Boxscore]

If you swap out a Vegas player for Matthews do they still win the cup?

In theory, yes. Say you swap Eichel for Matthews, in terms of player vs. player, yes VGK still wins. But Matthews currently makes 1.8 mil more than Eichel, which means Vegas might have had to lose a valuable depth piece in the process like Barbashev. And, Matthews next deal could pay him 3.5 to 4.5 mil more than Eichel -- in that case, Vegas loses an impact player or a couple of significant depth pieces.

I don't think fans are dogging on Matthews or Marner just to pick on them. We have an issue with the salary they are being paid for what they're producing when it matters most. And their next contracts are going to make it even harder for the Leafs to build a viable contender around them. Equally as frustrating as their cap hits are their attitudes. Both players clearly have entitlement issues and care more about draining the Leafs dry then committing to the team and helping them build a true Cup contender.

Imho, if you are going to pay an icon elite max money, they better be a Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Cale Makar, Sidney Crosby, Nate MacKinnon -- players who have the make-up, drive, intangibles, and pedigree to rise to the occasion. If not, you're stuck paying premium money for players who can't get it done and that handcuffs your franchise.

Living in Philly I saw the same thing with the Flyers for years -- they were paying Giroux and Voracek what the Pens were paying Sid and Geno, the Hawks were paying Kane and Toews, and the Kings were paying Kopitar and Doughty. The key difference is, they were not the same caliber of players, yet they were being paid on par, simply because they were the best on the Flyers.

Just because Matthews and Marner are the Leafs picks, and two of their best players, doesn't mean they deserve to be paid like McDavid and Draisaitl.

 

[ACC1224]

In theory, yes. Say you swap Eichel for Matthews, in terms of player vs. player, yes VGK still wins. But Matthews currently makes 1.8 mil more than Eichel, which means Vegas might have had to lose a valuable depth piece in the process like Barbashev. And, Matthews next deal could pay him 3.5 to 4.5 mil more than Eichel -- in that case, Vegas loses an impact player or a couple of significant depth pieces.

I don't think fans are dogging on Matthews or Marner just to pick on them. We have an issue with the salary they are being paid for what they're producing when it matters most. And their next contracts are going to make it even harder for the Leafs to build a viable contender around them. Equally as frustrating as their cap hits are their attitudes. Both players clearly have entitlement issues and care more about draining the Leafs dry then committing to the team and helping them build a true Cup contender.

Imho, if you are going to pay an icon elite max money, they better be a Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Cale Makar, Sidney Crosby, Nate MacKinnon -- players who have the make-up, drive, intangibles, and pedigree to rise to the occasion. If not, you're stuck paying premium money for players who can't get it done and that handcuffs your franchise.

Living in Philly I saw the same thing with the Flyers for years -- they were paying Giroux and Voracek what the Pens were paying Sid and Geno, the Hawks were paying Kane and Toews, and the Kings were paying Kopitar and Doughty. The key difference is, they were not the same caliber of players, yet they were being paid on par, simply because they were the best on the Flyers.

Just because Matthews and Marner are the Leafs picks, and two of their best players, doesn't mean they deserve to be paid like McDavid and Draisaitl.

Yes, I understand the cap implications but that wasn’t the point I was attempting to make.

There are many, many posts saying that these players don’t care, don’t try, would rather be at the cottage once the season is over, etc.

Seems you agree that they could win in the right environment.

 

[Leaf Fans]

Instant gratification doesn't come fast enough.

It appears the Leafs follow the John Kenneth Galbraith method of compensation.

If you want the rich to work harder, you give them more. If you want the poor to work harder, you give them less. The rich get richer and the poor stay poor.

Only a rich man would think that was a good idea.

Let's just keep rewarding failure. Losers giving raises to other losers to keep losing. I'm sorry, but that isn't the definition of insanity.

It's the definition of stupidity.

Either Studs'n'Duds was wrong. Or the Leafs implemented it wrong. It's either one or the other, there is no other choice.

Trading a stud sounds crazy.

The ravings of a madman. But keeping them together sounds even crazier. Or stupid.

I guess that depends on how you view your glass.

I'm sorry, but asking a fan base raised under the "your way, right away" banner to wait longer still, after already waiting over fifty years, is like sticking your chin out and asking the "greatest fan base in the world" to punch it.

We've waited long enough. We want it all. And we want it now.

Right now.

Lol

 

[the Mighty Oak]

If you swap out a Vegas player for Matthews do they still win the cup?

You can swap out anyone of the Big Three with a Vegas player and they still win the cup

 

[AvroArrow]

Hate that stat. People used to talk about Kessel being a 40 goal guy....he wasnt and never did hit that mark. Auston has one 100 pt season and his next best was last yr at 85. Mcdavid actually got 153 pts, not paced for it. And people want to make 34 the highest paid player.....okeedokeee

Good for you ? Common sense would suggest he hit 90 in each of those years over the course of an 82 game season

 

[myleafs]

Good for you ? Common sense would suggest he hit 90 in each of those years over the course of an 82 game season

the ole expected goals on pace for trick....gotchya

 

[Stephen]

Yes, I understand the cap implications but that wasn’t the point I was attempting to make.

There are many, many posts saying that these players don’t care, don’t try, would rather be at the cottage once the season is over, etc.

Seems you agree that they could win in the right environment.

I think the most meaningful shift that needs to happen is Toronto has to move off the idea of having a precious collection of talented individuals, and how to carve that raw talent into a coherent winning playoff team.

That exercise is going to require some high quality leadership at the management level, some ruthlessness, luck. The Shanaplan with Dubas as GM really avoided making the hard edits. This group absolutely has individuals who can be at home on a winner. But just depends on whether this group can together. Don’t think they can.

 

[AvroArrow]

the ole expected goals on pace for trick....gotchya

The ole common sense, guy has 85 points in 74 games, i'm sure he'd get at least 5 more points in 8 games.

FYI 5 points in 8 games, equates to a 51 point pace, Matthews lowest point per game was in his rookie season at 69 points in 82 games played.

 

[myleafs]

The ole common sense, guy has 85 points in 74 games, i'm sure he'd get at least 5 more points in 8 games.

FYI 5 points in 8 games, equates to a 51 point pace, Matthews lowest point per game was in his rookie season at 69 points in 82 games played.

Its still using could have should have ,if and buts and only ifs....we are 7 yrs in now with 34.

 

[AvroArrow]

Its still using could have should have ,if and buts and only ifs....we are 7 yrs in now with 34.

Right so you think Matthews would have scored at a rate significantly slower than his rookie season, in the 8 games he missed. I feel like you're just arguing because you want to argue.

Probably the only dude I've seen suggest Matthews wouldn't score at least 5 points in 8 regular season games. When a players season is shortened sometimes we just have to use our heads.

 

[myleafs]

Right so you think Matthews would have scored at a rate significantly slower than his rookie season, in the 8 games he missed. I feel like you're just arguing because you want to argue.

Probably the only dude I've seen suggest Matthews wouldn't score at least 5 points in 8 regular season games. When a players season is shortened sometimes we just have to use our heads.

You keep circling around to what ifs that didnt happen. Keep doing that if that what works for you. I will take actual results.

 

[AvroArrow]

You keep circling around to what ifs that didnt happen. Keep doing that if that what works for you. I will take actual results.

Alright man lol

 

[pcruz]

Alright man lol

There's no point.

To some, Matthews hitting 106 points and 60 goals is a mirage and therefore you can't actually call him a 60 goal scorer or 100 point player.
To those same people, McDavid is now and forevermore a 150 point player.

There comes a time when all Leafs superstars fall out of favour with certain people in this market, and those people start poisoning others who poison others.
The cycle grows exponentially until the player is essentially forced out of town.

Those people cheer at the move because they get their wish.

And then everyone, including those same people, lament not having a player of the quality of the one who just left.


Look up the following careers:

Kessel
Bozak
Sundin
Kaberle
Domi
Mccabe
Murphy

 

[Mess]

Seems you agree that they could win in the right environment.

Addition by subtraction,

It would be funny if Leafs simply remove the GM make a few minor changes while returning the Core and the majority of the team and then win it all.

Dubas, Holl, Kerfoot, Murray and Bunting OUT = Stanley Cup.

 

[Gabriel426]

Yes, I understand the cap implications but that wasn’t the point I was attempting to make.

There are many, many posts saying that these players don’t care, don’t try, would rather be at the cottage once the season is over, etc.

Seems you agree that they could win in the right environment.

I think 'the they don’t care stuff' is crap bc there is no way being as talented as they are just don’t care about winning. I think most point out the they don’t care part means do they care enough? What I am trying to say is that do they even know why some players and teams have success in the playoffs and they don’t? Do they just look at being unlucky…or do they really look into games tapes at every single little things that they could have done better or different and work on them. For example, each players know their own weaknesses but do they work on it to over come them or just work on it and thinks that’s good. Why is it that they don’t come out to play when the puck is drop? Why do they not play as a pack and push back whenever the going gets tough like the TB series? Those are questions they need to ask themselves instead of using excuses like refs, bounces, fans, medias…..
To me, beside Reilly, I just don’t think AM, MM, Willie and JT had it in them to go, I am going to take charge now and make something happen. Instead, they look around and waiting for someone to take charge and then follow. In short, instead of raising their game to inspire, they are waiting to be inspired.

 

[myleafs]

Addition by subtraction,

It would be funny if Leafs simply remove the GM make a few minor changes while returning the Core and the majority of the team and then win it all.

Dubas, Holl, Kerfoot, Murray and Bunting OUT = Stanley Cup.

Beer is on me if this happens....and if it happens there will be many of us who will bend the knee and acknowledge that we were impatient and ultimately wrong in our assessment of the core. But if it turns out the same........

 

[Gabriel426]

There's no point.

To some, Matthews hitting 106 points and 60 goals is a mirage and therefore you can't actually call him a 60 goal scorer or 100 point player.
To those same people, McDavid is now and forevermore a 150 point player.

There comes a time when all Leafs superstars fall out of favour with certain people in this market, and those people start poisoning others who poison others.
The cycle grows exponentially until the player is essentially forced out of town.

Those people cheer at the move because they get their wish.

And then everyone, including those same people, lament not having a player of the quality of the one who just left.


Look up the following careers:

Kessel
Bozak
Sundin
Kaberle
Domi
Mccabe
Murphy

Did you really put Bozak on a list with Sundin and Kessel?

 

[Mess]

Beer is on me if this happens....and if it happens there will be many of us who will bend the knee and acknowledge that we were impatient and ultimately wrong in our assessment of the core. But if it turns out the same........

Put me down under the completely dubious category, less Dubas.

The current core has won 1 playoff round in 7 playoff years and so the new strategy is lets pay them more money and see what happens next.

When I see Leafs core 4 forwards consume $40.5 mil salary Cap and Vegas the Cup winners pay virtually the same amount $ 41.3 mil for their top 10 forwards combined I see that is there is no real hope..

Marchessault + Stephenson + Karlsson = $13.65 cap combined which is rumoured to be around Matthews new contract.

Those 3 Vegas players combined for 34 goals 28 assists = 52 points. Anyone that believes Matthews is capable of putting up 34 goals and 52 points in one playoff year for the same Cap usage is kidding themselves. Winning in the playoffs is all about assembling deep and balanced teams and not top heavy teams.

 

[pcruz]

Put me down under the completely dubious category, less Dubas.

The current core has won 1 playoff round in 7 playoff years and so the new strategy is lets pay them more money and see what happens next.

When I see Leafs core 4 forwards consume $40.5 mil salary Cap and Vegas the Cup winners pay virtually the same amount $ 41.3 mil for their top 10 forwards combined I see that is there is no real hope..

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Marchessault + Stephenson + Karlsson = $13.65 cap combined which is rumoured to be around Matthews new contract.

Those 3 Vegas players combined for 34 goals 28 assists = 52 points. Anyone that believes Matthews is capable of putting up 34 goals and 52 points in one playoff year for the same Cap usage is kidding themselves. Winning in the playoffs is all about assembling deep and balanced teams and not top heavy teams.

As clearly proven by the Penguins winning back to back cups without defenders and a rookie goalie.

 

[mkatcherin00]

They were also heavily over the cap. They took advantage of a unique situation. All things being equal you cannot look to the Vegas mode and try to model your team after that. They got lucky being able to circumvent the cap and take full advantage of LTIR space. Not even Vegas will be able to replicate what they did again, that team is going to be in cap hell and they will be throwing a bunch of guys overboard in the next few months, with little to no prospects as well.

Vegas got their cup and that’s amazing/incredible for their franchise but it will be nearly impossible for already established franchises to do it the way Vegas did.



Lol Nurse at 9.5 is not the reason why Edmonton hasn’t won a cup. Goaltending is the #1 reason why McDavid hasn’t won a cup. You can’t win a cup with .800 SV%, it’s not going to happen. They better pray skinner is the answer or they can get Hart there and run a Skinner/Hart duo.

This. Edmonton needs D improvement, but they easily outchanced Vegas that series and I think had a lead in every game. D zone play as well as atrocious tending lost it. You could argue they still would have won if Brossoit stayed in there lol.

 

[andora]

This. Edmonton needs D improvement, but they easily outchanced Vegas that series and I think had a lead in every game. D zone play as well as atrocious tending lost it. You could argue they still would have won if Brossoit stayed in there lol.

Edmonton is like us.. they play in spurts. You beat them by bending only and continue to lean on them.. they are farther away than they are close in my opinion

 

[Niagara Bill]

June 22nd is coming to an end without a deal between Leafs and AM.
If at least 2 members of the Leafs staff is not on the phone calling other teams for a trade of AM, Treliving and Shanny should resign.
Our best offer should be on the table right now...if it is not shame on Treliving. If it is a trade must be made.