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

[Boxscore]

Matthews is a slightly better offensive player and much better defensive player than Mackinnon was, signing through ages that are a year younger, under a higher cap. No player in his position would accept the same AAV.

Matthews absolutely is not.

Since Matthews signed his last deal 5 years ago...

Auston Matthews:
73pts. in 68GP
80pts. in 70GP
66pts. in 52GP
106pts. in 73GP
85pts. in 74GP
Total: 410pts. in 337GP = 1.22PPG

Nathan MacKinnon:
99pts. in 82GP
93pts. in 69GP
65pts. in 48GP
88pts. in 65GP
111pts. in 71GP
Total: 456pts. in 335GP = 1.37PPG

And MacKinnon's high water mark is 111 points in 71GP. Matthews is 106 points in 73GP.

Even more importantly are their playoff numbers:

Auston Matthews: 0.88PPG
Nathan MacKinnon: 1.3PPG

Yes, Matthews has a Hart and two Rockets. But MacKinnon has a Cup and is significantly better in the playoffs. What's even more interesting is that Matthews only claim as a better offensive player is goal scoring and in the playoffs:

Auston Matthews: 36 goals over 82GP
Nathan MacKinnon: 47 goals over 82GP

No matter how you realistically slice it, MacKinnon is the better offensive player (unless you're trying to factor in his early sucky years on those garbage Avs teams, which of course would be 100% irrelevant when talking about MacKinnon's contract last summer and Matthews this summer).

In addition to being a better offensive player, MacKinnon is a champion and plays with level of fire and passion that Matthews doesn't.

As for the overblown "defensive play" we supposedly see from Matthews -- it's completely irrelevant. Almost as irrelevant as their average career +/- which would give Matthews the edge: +18 vs. +13 (which factoring in MacKinnon's early years on the crummy Avs when he was a minus player 3 times). Neither player is Bob Gainey or Patrice Bergeron and neither player's defense is the reason they are winning or losing hockey games.

Fans trying to oversell Matthews by adding his "defensive play" as a caveat is packing crap in a bag to make it look more full. When Matthews turns into Pavel Datsyuk let's talk about his defensive play. Until then, he's being paid to score goals, generate offense, and win Stanley Cups, period.

Nathan MacKinnon is a perfect comp for what Auston Matthews should be paid (and quite honestly, that's being a hair generous). But since the Leafs already overpaid him once and there's no reversing course, sure, give him the same exact deal MacKinnon got (which is more than McDavid). In fact, pay Auston another 100k just so he can own the label of "highest paid player in hockey history" which means so much to him.

In no fair, or realistic, world should Auston Matthews be paid 13.5 - 14 mil a year when MacKinnon just signed for 12.6, Pastrnak for 11.5, and Tkachuk for 9.5. Especially since all of them signed long-term.

 

[centipede2233]

Matthews is a greedy, leaf’s would do well to get rid of him. Not worth it

 

[Boxscore]

Matthews is a greedy, leaf’s would do well to get rid of him. Not worth it

Matthews definitely appears to be very greedy. But getting rid of him is a last resort if he's not willing to be reasonable with cap hit or term. But you simply cannot build a winner if one player on your team is going to command 13.5 - 14 mil a year. It's impossible. Matthews knows this. The Leafs know this. If they proceed anyway it's because they're both content with being regular season darlings and bailing early in the playoffs.

 

[horner]

Matthews absolutely is not.

Since Matthews signed his last deal 5 years ago...

Auston Matthews:
73pts. in 68GP
80pts. in 70GP
66pts. in 52GP
106pts. in 73GP
85pts. in 74GP
Total: 410pts. in 337GP = 1.22PPG

Nathan MacKinnon:
99pts. in 82GP
93pts. in 69GP
65pts. in 48GP
88pts. in 65GP
111pts. in 71GP
Total: 456pts. in 335GP = 1.37PPG

And MacKinnon's high water mark is 111 points in 71GP. Matthews is 106 points in 73GP.

Even more importantly are their playoff numbers:

Auston Matthews: 0.88PPG
Nathan MacKinnon: 1.3PPG

Yes, Matthews has a Hart and two Rockets. But MacKinnon has a Cup and is significantly better in the playoffs. What's even more interesting is that Matthews only claim as a better offensive player is goal scoring and in the playoffs:

Auston Matthews: 36 goals over 82GP
Nathan MacKinnon: 47 goals over 82GP

No matter how you realistically slice it, MacKinnon is the better offensive player (unless you're trying to factor in his early sucky years on those garbage Avs teams, which of course would be 100% irrelevant when talking about MacKinnon's contract last summer and Matthews this summer).

In addition to being a better offensive player, MacKinnon is a champion and plays with level of fire and passion that Matthews doesn't.

As for the overblown "defensive play" we supposedly see from Matthews -- it's completely irrelevant. Almost as irrelevant as their average career +/- which would give Matthews the edge: +18 vs. +13 (which factoring in MacKinnon's early years on the crummy Avs when he was a minus player 3 times). Neither player is Bob Gainey or Patrice Bergeron and neither player's defense is the reason they are winning or losing hockey games.

Fans trying to oversell Matthews by adding his "defensive play" as a caveat is packing crap in a bag to make it look more full. When Matthews turns into Pavel Datsyuk let's talk about his defensive play. Until then, he's being paid to score goals, generate offense, and win Stanley Cups, period.

Nathan MacKinnon is a perfect comp for what Auston Matthews should be paid (and quite honestly, that's being a hair generous). But since the Leafs already overpaid him once and there's no reversing course, sure, give him the same exact deal MacKinnon got (which is more than McDavid). In fact, pay Auston another 100k just so he can own the label of "highest paid player in hockey history" which means so much to him.

In no fair, or realistic, world should Auston Matthews be paid 13.5 - 14 mil a year when MacKinnon just signed for 12.6, Pastrnak for 11.5, and Tkachuk for 9.5. Especially since all of them signed long-term.

Nat's speed also nathans drive is more I would take him over Matthew's long term.
I think Nat has a longer career because even if he slows up a bit he will still be faster than Matthew's.

 

[centipede2233]

Matthews definitely appears to be very greedy. But getting rid of him is a last resort if he's not willing to be reasonable with cap hit or term. But you simply cannot build a winner if one player on your team is going to command 13.5 - 14 mil a year. It's impossible. Matthews knows this. The Leafs know this. If they proceed anyway it's because they're both content with being regular season darlings and bailing early in the playoffs.

Yup I totally agree. Crosby left money off the table, so did mcdavid. If matthews wants to extract as much money as possible, trade him for players who will play for a fair contract and happy to be a leaf. The one thing that is kind of being overlooked is matthews went from scoring 60 goals to 40 goals with a nagging wrist injury and doing nothing in rd 2. You sign matthews to being the highest paid player and he goes out and scores 35 goals next season, now you have buyers remorse. Treliving needs to say 12.5 mil per is our number, up to you how you want it paid out in bonuses etc and pick your term 4-8 yrs, but we’re not going above 12.5 PERIOD

 

[thewave]

Matthews absolutely is not.

Since Matthews signed his last deal 5 years ago...

Auston Matthews:
73pts. in 68GP
80pts. in 70GP
66pts. in 52GP
106pts. in 73GP
85pts. in 74GP
Total: 410pts. in 337GP = 1.22PPG

Nathan MacKinnon:
99pts. in 82GP
93pts. in 69GP
65pts. in 48GP
88pts. in 65GP
111pts. in 71GP
Total: 456pts. in 335GP = 1.37PPG

And MacKinnon's high water mark is 111 points in 71GP. Matthews is 106 points in 73GP.

Even more importantly are their playoff numbers:

Auston Matthews: 0.88PPG
Nathan MacKinnon: 1.3PPG

Yes, Matthews has a Hart and two Rockets. But MacKinnon has a Cup and is significantly better in the playoffs. What's even more interesting is that Matthews only claim as a better offensive player is goal scoring and in the playoffs:

Auston Matthews: 36 goals over 82GP
Nathan MacKinnon: 47 goals over 82GP

No matter how you realistically slice it, MacKinnon is the better offensive player (unless you're trying to factor in his early sucky years on those garbage Avs teams, which of course would be 100% irrelevant when talking about MacKinnon's contract last summer and Matthews this summer).

In addition to being a better offensive player, MacKinnon is a champion and plays with level of fire and passion that Matthews doesn't.

As for the overblown "defensive play" we supposedly see from Matthews -- it's completely irrelevant. Almost as irrelevant as their average career +/- which would give Matthews the edge: +18 vs. +13 (which factoring in MacKinnon's early years on the crummy Avs when he was a minus player 3 times). Neither player is Bob Gainey or Patrice Bergeron and neither player's defense is the reason they are winning or losing hockey games.

Fans trying to oversell Matthews by adding his "defensive play" as a caveat is packing crap in a bag to make it look more full. When Matthews turns into Pavel Datsyuk let's talk about his defensive play. Until then, he's being paid to score goals, generate offense, and win Stanley Cups, period.

Nathan MacKinnon is a perfect comp for what Auston Matthews should be paid (and quite honestly, that's being a hair generous). But since the Leafs already overpaid him once and there's no reversing course, sure, give him the same exact deal MacKinnon got (which is more than McDavid). In fact, pay Auston another 100k just so he can own the label of "highest paid player in hockey history" which means so much to him.

In no fair, or realistic, world should Auston Matthews be paid 13.5 - 14 mil a year when MacKinnon just signed for 12.6, Pastrnak for 11.5, and Tkachuk for 9.5. Especially since all of them signed long-term.

This stuff gets ignored only in Toronto.

 

[horner]

Matthews definitely appears to be very greedy. But getting rid of him is a last resort if he's not willing to be reasonable with cap hit or term. But you simply cannot build a winner if one player on your team is going to command 13.5 - 14 mil a year. It's impossible. Matthews knows this. The Leafs know this. If they proceed anyway it's because they're both content with being regular season darlings and bailing early in the playoffs.

The fan reaction be crazy if they do nothing in the playoffs on his next contract if he gets Close to 14 mil.

 

[Boxscore]

The fan reaction be crazy if they do nothing in the playoffs on his next contract if he gets Close to 14 mil.

To be completely honest, I don't think it will. I mean, he's been the face of the franchise for 7 years and has only won one round in the playoffs, ever. With his already massive salary plus playing with other superstars.

Seven years and a few of us fans are finally starting to call him out and warn about overpaying him. Meanwhile 90% of the fans worship him and care more about him than they do the Leafs. Even the media doesn't get on him. Christ, clowns like Mike Johnson are campaigning for him to get 15 mil x 4 on his next deal. The way people treat Matthews, you'd think he's Gretzky or won 3 Cups with the Leafs, it's bizarre. No matter how much money the Leafs pay him, when we get bounced again, we'll brush it under the rug and make excuses explaining why he should be paid more than Connor McDavid and Nate MacKinnon.

 

[Gabriel426]

The economy is a mess and doesn't look to be improving anytime soon. If the Leafs base Matthews next contract off presented projections, they are setting themselves up for failure once again. We should be looking at the deals MacKinnon, Tkachuk, and Pastrnak just signed as the measuring stick for Matthews, not some pie-in-the-sky projections that could easily pivot.

Matthews should accept the same 8-year x 12.6 deal MacKinnon just agreed to after winning a Cup. In theory, this deal should be a piece of cake.

I highly doubt Mack and Pastra agents did not put into consideration regarding the increase in cap in their negotiations.

AM doesn’t deserve to be the highest paid player in the league even if it is ONE dollar more. 12-12.45 should be where he is considering what Pastra signed and AM being a C.
I know McD signed a contract 5-6yrs ago but when he signed he was 20% more than the original highest paid player. And it is safe to say he is 20% better than the next player in the league. I can see Mack making more bc he led his team to a Cup and is arguable the 2nd best player in the league. But not AM.

To be completely honest, I don't think it will. I mean, he's been the face of the franchise for 7 years and has only won one round in the playoffs, ever. With his already massive salary plus playing with other superstars.

Seven years and a few of us fans are finally starting to call him out and warn about overpaying him. Meanwhile 90% of the fans worship him and care more about him than they do the Leafs. Even the media doesn't get on him. Christ, clowns like Mike Johnson are campaigning for him to get 15 mil x 4 on his next deal. The way people treat Matthews, you'd think he's Gretzky or won 3 Cups with the Leafs, it's bizarre. No matter how much money the Leafs pay him, when we get bounced again, we'll brush it under the rug and make excuses explaining why he should be paid more than Connor McDavid and Nate MacKinnon.

That’s something that puzzle me too.

The way some medias talk about AM is like they talk about McD. I can see if it is McD being in AM’s spot, the media got a great case as to why Leafs need to just agree with everything McD wants. Bc McD could become the GOAT in Hockey when all said and done but I just don’t see AM being in that category.

 

[Boxscore]

That’s something that puzzle me too.

The way some medias talk about AM is like they talk about McD. I can see if it is McD being in AM’s spot, the media got a great case as to why Leafs need to just agree with everything McD wants. Bc McD could become the GOAT in Hockey when all said and done but I just don’t see AM being in that category.

Agreed. I hear people already crowning Matthews the greatest Leaf of all-time and it's laughable. He won one playoff round, one. It's like Keon, Sittler, Apps, Clark, Kennedy, Sundin, Salming, Broda, Armstrong, etc. didn't exist. Heck, prime Dougie Gilmour from 1992-94 destroys Matthews imho, all things considered.

And it's a shame that I'm sort of ragging on him, because he's my favorite player on the team. But I can't wrap my head around a kid like him not being willing to leave some dough on the table and commit long-term to the club by now. This group is likely the best shot we'll get at winning a Cup and it's frustrating that these kids don't see it or care.

 

[ORRFForever]

But I can't wrap my head around a kid like him not being willing to leave some dough on the table and commit long-term to the club by now. This group is likely the best shot we'll get at winning a Cup and it's frustrating that these kids don't see it or care.

None of us understand it.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Shanny meeting with Treliving to discuss the Matthews contract negotiations

 

[Funk21]

Matthews absolutely is not.

Since Matthews signed his last deal 5 years ago...

Auston Matthews:
73pts. in 68GP
80pts. in 70GP
66pts. in 52GP
106pts. in 73GP
85pts. in 74GP
Total: 410pts. in 337GP = 1.22PPG

Nathan MacKinnon:
99pts. in 82GP
93pts. in 69GP
65pts. in 48GP
88pts. in 65GP
111pts. in 71GP
Total: 456pts. in 335GP = 1.37PPG

And MacKinnon's high water mark is 111 points in 71GP. Matthews is 106 points in 73GP.

Even more importantly are their playoff numbers:

Auston Matthews: 0.88PPG
Nathan MacKinnon: 1.3PPG

Yes, Matthews has a Hart and two Rockets. But MacKinnon has a Cup and is significantly better in the playoffs. What's even more interesting is that Matthews only claim as a better offensive player is goal scoring and in the playoffs:

Auston Matthews: 36 goals over 82GP
Nathan MacKinnon: 47 goals over 82GP

No matter how you realistically slice it, MacKinnon is the better offensive player (unless you're trying to factor in his early sucky years on those garbage Avs teams, which of course would be 100% irrelevant when talking about MacKinnon's contract last summer and Matthews this summer).

In addition to being a better offensive player, MacKinnon is a champion and plays with level of fire and passion that Matthews doesn't.

As for the overblown "defensive play" we supposedly see from Matthews -- it's completely irrelevant. Almost as irrelevant as their average career +/- which would give Matthews the edge: +18 vs. +13 (which factoring in MacKinnon's early years on the crummy Avs when he was a minus player 3 times). Neither player is Bob Gainey or Patrice Bergeron and neither player's defense is the reason they are winning or losing hockey games.

Fans trying to oversell Matthews by adding his "defensive play" as a caveat is packing crap in a bag to make it look more full. When Matthews turns into Pavel Datsyuk let's talk about his defensive play. Until then, he's being paid to score goals, generate offense, and win Stanley Cups, period.

Nathan MacKinnon is a perfect comp for what Auston Matthews should be paid (and quite honestly, that's being a hair generous). But since the Leafs already overpaid him once and there's no reversing course, sure, give him the same exact deal MacKinnon got (which is more than McDavid). In fact, pay Auston another 100k just so he can own the label of "highest paid player in hockey history" which means so much to him.

In no fair, or realistic, world should Auston Matthews be paid 13.5 - 14 mil a year when MacKinnon just signed for 12.6, Pastrnak for 11.5, and Tkachuk for 9.5. Especially since all of them signed long-term.

Make sure you send this to both Treliving and Matthews agent. Might be a dose of reality needed. Well said and voice of reason among the media sycophants.

At the end of the day Matthews can and will ask for whatever he wants and it’s up to our Management to say no if it’s outrageous and set a precedence. The inmates can’t continue to run the asylum.

 

[Dekes For Days]

AM made double Mackinnon's in their early deals. Mac was stuck at $6M for a long time where as AM was already making double.

Their first deal doesn't have anything to do with their second deal though. Matthews made more on his first contract because he was a massively better player when he signed his first contract. Mackinnon can't be like pay me more now because I was worth less before. You get what you're worth when you sign.

8x years and $12.7 million shouldn't be taken as an insufficient offer for just about anyone in the game of hockey. We'll probably pay Matthews well north of $13 million, it's a vanity number for a player on a prestige franchise.

Players are worth what they're worth. We'll pay Matthews north of 13m because he's worth north of 13m. It's not a vanity thing to want what you've earned like everybody else.
And as the cap rises, and other top players come due, 13m is going to become more and more normal, like many numbers before it.

A good counter example to Matthews is Jason Robertson. His 2023 season surpasses Matthews career best in points and looks like he's going to break through the 50 goal mark in the next year or so. He's locked into a sweetheart, pre breakout deal too. Robertson makes $7.75 million and is definitely underpaid. But is Matthews going to realistically give us $5 million in extra value compared to Robertson over the next 4-5 years? And that's just to get to $12.7 million.

Well, first off, Robertson only has 3 years left on his contract, and will only have two when Matthews' extension would kick in, so I don't know where you're getting 4-5 years from.
Second, you can't cherry pick out one isolated player that you even acknowledge has outgrown his contract, and demand that everybody be equally underpaid.
Third, you're attempting to compare a post-ELC bridge to a long-term UFA contract. I hope you realize the issue there.

Is Matthews going to provide 5m more value than Robertson over those couple years? Probably not. It's pretty common for the latter years of a pre-breakout post-ELC bridge to offer more surplus value than the early years of a long-term UFA contract. But that doesn't change anything...

Matthews absolutely is not.

Yeah, he is. In the 3 years prior to signing their contracts (and even with Matthews playing injured through like half of his sample), Matthews has produced better at 5v5 (3.04 > 2.85 overall, 2.63 > 2.35 primary) and similarly on the PP (6.34 < 6.92 overall, 4.89 > 4.59 primary), while being much better defensively. He'd also be signing under a higher cap, and through ages 27-34, which is more valuable than ages 28-35.

Even more importantly are their playoff numbers:

While playing well in the playoffs is important, it's pretty worthless to compare raw playoff numbers without context, as players on different teams play through wildly disparate circumstances. Mackinnon has certainly had much easier circumstances to produce in the playoffs, but that doesn't make him a better player or worth more. And when they both played the same team last year, Matthews (9 points in 7 games) outproduced Mackinnon (6 points in 6 games), despite Tampa missing their #1 center for most of the series against Colorado.

Yes, Matthews has a Hart and two Rockets. But MacKinnon has a Cup

Cups are team accomplishments, not individual.

MacKinnon is a champion and plays with level of fire and passion that Matthews doesn't.

Just because Mackinnon has a personality where he is controlling, yells at his teammates, and throws tantrums, it doesn't mean he has any more fire or passion. It just means he's a hothead.

As for the overblown "defensive play" we supposedly see from Matthews -- it's completely irrelevant.

Defensive play is not irrelevant, and the gap in their defensive play is quite significant.

 

[notbias]

Yes, Matthews has a Hart and two Rockets. But MacKinnon has a Cup.

He should be thanking Makar for that because he is the reason. MacKinnon couldn't get past the second round without him.

Mac I think is a good comparable for Matthews, but let's not pretend like Mac was the reason they won when he wasn't been able to do anything until his team sucked so much that they were able to draft Makar.

Also, if players only got paid for playoff success Tkachuk would be making $4 million right now.

 

[Niagara Bill]

AM has been a mercenary from day 1. While he says he wants to be here he never shows he wants to win, or even talks of winning. That goes for Marner too.
I don't see where Matthews is loved or respected by his team mates. I don't see them defending him, in fact I don't see him defending himself.
June 24 brings no deal, no trade clause is 6 days away.
Time to make the Leafs better.

 

[justashadowof]

I'm not looking to maximize Matthews' money but I do think for him a 3 year or 5 year contract strategy could be a huge mistake for him. He could very well slide into being some 35 goal/30 assist guy over that period as many stars' production can decline heading into their late 20's. He could end up facing an expiring contract at 29 to 31 years old and not find the money and term he was anticipating.

 

[andora]

I wonder how much hypothetical cap increase projections will play into the club’s plans (and negotiations with agents)for the core minus JT?

I thought gms dont negotiate on projected cap increases

 

[ITM]

I thought gms dont negotiate on projected cap increases

Can’t see how they couldn’t when an agent may be seeking 15% of the entire budget for one player.

Does it ever it annoy me thinking that Matthews’ representation may get it too.

I'm not looking to maximize Matthews' money but I do think for him a 3 year or 5 year contract strategy could be a huge mistake for him. He could very well slide into being some 35 goal/30 assist guy over that period as many stars' production can decline heading into their late 20's. He could end up facing an expiring contract at 29 to 31 years old and not find the money and term he was anticipating.

I’d be fine with a 5 year term.

Not sure the physical will ebb before the emotional.

 

[ToDavid]

Matthews career earnings actually outpace Mackinnon's $52.9 million to $46.8 million right now with 3 fewer seasons in the league. With Matthews new deal kicking in, Mackinnon likely won't ever catch him.

I mean, Mackinnon was a ~50-60 point player for his first four seasons. His second contract turned into the deal of the century but at the time it was fair, if not generous. The start of their careers weren’t at all comparable, so this isn’t that surprising.

 

[notbias]

I thought gms dont negotiate on projected cap increases

I don't see how that is the case, and it is literally how we are where we are today. Anyone saying GMs don't do that is crazy.

Matthews career earnings actually outpace Mackinnon's $52.9 million to $46.8 million right now with 3 fewer seasons in the league. With Matthews new deal kicking in, Mackinnon likely won't ever catch him.

He was considered overpaid on his second contract, just like Draisaitl.

All this arguing can be summed up with "our stars didn't suck on their ELCs like play X that they are being compared to"

I'm not looking to maximize Matthews' money but I do think for him a 3 year or 5 year contract strategy could be a huge mistake for him. He could very well slide into being some 35 goal/30 assist guy over that period as many stars' production can decline heading into their late 20's. He could end up facing an expiring contract at 29 to 31 years old and not find the money and term he was anticipating.

You think he will turn into a 75-point player? Interesting.

He's been playing injured a lot recently and has been putting up some good numbers.

So unless the injuries continue or get worse, I don't see a 35/30 guy.

 

[andora]

Can’t see how they couldn’t when an agent may be seeking 15% of the entire budget for one player.

Does it ever it annoy me thinking that Matthews’ representation may get it too.


I’d be fine with a 5 year term.

Not sure the physical will ebb before the emotional.

I don't see how that is the case, and it is literally how we are where we are today. Anyone saying GMs don't do that is crazy.



He was considered overpaid on his second contract, just like Draisaitl.

All this arguing can be summed up with "our stars didn't suck on their ELCs like play X that they are being compared to"



You think he will turn into a 75-point player? Interesting.

He's been playing injured a lot recently and has been putting up some good numbers.

So unless the injuries continue or get worse, I don't see a 35/30 guy.

I was being tongue in cheek with what has been said here in the past

Any reasonable person understands this

 

[thewave]

Their first deal doesn't have anything to do with their second deal though. Matthews made more on his first contract because he was a massively better player when he signed his first contract. Mackinnon can't be like pay me more now because I was worth less before. You get what you're worth when you sign.

Players are worth what they're worth. We'll pay Matthews north of 13m because he's worth north of 13m. It's not a vanity thing to want what you've earned like everybody else.
And as the cap rises, and other top players come due, 13m is going to become more and more normal, like many numbers before it.

Well, first off, Robertson only has 3 years left on his contract, and will only have two when Matthews' extension would kick in, so I don't know where you're getting 4-5 years from.
Second, you can't cherry pick out one isolated player that you even acknowledge has outgrown his contract, and demand that everybody be equally underpaid.
Third, you're attempting to compare a post-ELC bridge to a long-term UFA contract. I hope you realize the issue there.

Is Matthews going to provide 5m more value than Robertson over those couple years? Probably not. It's pretty common for the latter years of a pre-breakout post-ELC bridge to offer more surplus value than the early years of a long-term UFA contract. But that doesn't change anything...

Yeah, he is. In the 3 years prior to signing their contracts (and even with Matthews playing injured through like half of his sample), Matthews has produced better at 5v5 (3.04 > 2.85 overall, 2.63 > 2.35 primary) and similarly on the PP (6.34 < 6.92 overall, 4.89 > 4.59 primary), while being much better defensively. He'd also be signing under a higher cap, and through ages 27-34, which is more valuable than ages 28-35.

While playing well in the playoffs is important, it's pretty worthless to compare raw playoff numbers without context, as players on different teams play through wildly disparate circumstances. Mackinnon has certainly had much easier circumstances to produce in the playoffs, but that doesn't make him a better player or worth more. And when they both played the same team last year, Matthews (9 points in 7 games) outproduced Mackinnon (6 points in 6 games), despite Tampa missing their #1 center for most of the series against Colorado.

Cups are team accomplishments, not individual.

Just because Mackinnon has a personality where he is controlling, yells at his teammates, and throws tantrums, it doesn't mean he has any more fire or passion. It just means he's a hothead.

Defensive play is not irrelevant, and the gap in their defensive play is quite significant.

Matthews was overpaid. It doesn't have anything to do with the second deal, but if he is honest with himself and the team considering the production he gave, you would think he may sit there and say hey I want to win here. Lets do a discount and get some better support.

You know be a good sport. The fact he wont and warrants the labels fans give him

 

[ToneDog]

Matthews was overpaid. It doesn't have anything to do with the second deal, but if he is honest with himself and the team considering the production he gave, you would think he may sit there and say hey I want to win here. Lets do a discount and get some better support.

You know be a good sport. The fact he wont and warrants the labels fans give him

You cannot say that until we see how much and how long he signs for.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Matthews was overpaid. It doesn't have anything to do with the second deal, but if he is honest with himself and the team considering the production he gave, you would think he may sit there and say hey I want to win here. Lets do a discount and get some better support.
You know be a good sport. The fact he wont and warrants the labels fans give him

Matthews was not overpaid. Giving discounts should not be the expectation. It's very rare.