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

[-DeMo-]

Tavares is not even in top 50 players for even strength scoring. His production is propped up by PP production.

He was ranked 91st in the league. For 11 AAV player that is absolutely terrible.

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appreciated the chart but I'm aware of his production, but last time I checked PP goals or contributing to PP goals still help the team win contrary to your belief it seems. I could easily also say that having a guy whose top 10 in PP scoring is really helpful to a successful PP. but I would like to add that your just proving my point of the post that signing a max length UFA deal probably doesn't look good in years 6-8 similar to Tavares. so if Matthews is looking at 5 years this benefits us greatly

 

[Sypher04]

why do you want to pay Matthews 14 to 15 AAV is the question I have for you.

Are you 100% certain that matthews is never going to have such a down year again? You 100% certain that he is not going to get injured or his wrist injury is all but the story of the past not going to have any impact in the future?

How do you justify Matthews getting paid more than Mack?



MM should be trade to anywhere; there is 7 years worth of evidence that Marner is never going to show up for playoffs. Marner is just about fancy bs; as soon as there is less spacce and time on the ice Marner becomes less valuable. He is already overpaid for what he brings anyway; he will be looking for the moon hell entire solar system on his next deal. Leafs shouldn't put up with this BS

Nice dodge of my question. I’ve never once said that I want to pay Matthews 14-15M

As for how I would justify Matthews getting a bit more than MacKinnon is well documented on this site. I’ve shared it multiple times elsewhere.

I think there is most definitely a case for Matthews to make a bit more, but I’ve never claimed the numbers you’re trying to make me answer to.

 

[Menzinger]

why do you want to pay Matthews 14 to 15 AAV is the question I have for you.

Are you 100% certain that matthews is never going to have such a down year again? You 100% certain that he is not going to get injured or his wrist injury is all but the story of the past not going to have any impact in the future?

I don't think it's not so much wanting to pay him at that level it's more so preferring that over the alternative of losing the player.

Ideally both team and player will be able to find a reasonable compromise in their negotiations this summer

 

[PromisedLand]

appreciated the chart but I'm aware of his production, but last time I checked PP goals or contributing to PP goals still help the team win contrary to your belief it seems. I could easily also say that having a guy whose top 10 in PP scoring is really helpful to a successful PP. but I would like to add that your just proving my point of the post that signing a max length UFA deal probably doesn't look good in years 6-8 similar to Tavares. so if Matthews is looking at 5 years this benefits us greatly

In the playoffs when whistles are put away 5 on 5 production and on ice hockey becomes really important. 11 AAV for a player that cannot produce 5 on 5 even in the regular season is a boat anchor.

One cannot build a competitive roster when you have such scenarios in the franchise IMO

 

[PromisedLand]

Nice dodge of my question. I’ve never once said that I want to pay Matthews 14-15M

As for how I would justify Matthews getting a bit more than MacKinnon is well documented on this site. I’ve shared it multiple times elsewhere.

I think there is most definitely a case for Matthews to make a bit more, but I’ve never claimed the numbers you’re trying to make me answer to.

What do you mean nice dodge. Why would you want to exclude a down season and only look at the greener pasture seasons one of which is a Canadian division where all the other Canadian teams were absolutely garbage. Context is a thing you know when looking at things.

There is absolutely no way one can justify paying Matthews more than Mack. The only way to justify that is when individual accomplishments have more meaning than team accomplishments. And only way to have better team accomplishments in a cap world is not to overpay handful of individuals significantly such that you don't have much cap left to round out the roster with quality depth on offense and defense; especially when the said "individuals" become invisible in the playoffs especially when team needs them most. There is 7 years worth of evidence. what more do you want?

I don't think it's not so much wanting to pay him at that level it's more so preferring that over the alternative of losing the player.

Ideally both team and player will be able to find a reasonable compromise in their negotiations this summer

You cannot build a competitive franchise while living in fear of losing a player; especially a players that hasn't brought it so to speak in the playoffs. There is 7 years worth of evidence of that. Other teams have gone on to have some playoff success and moved on beyond 2nd round while not taking 7 tries to just win one round do not have Matthews on their roster; they seem to be doing just fine.

If Matthews wants the world he is free to seek it from the other franchises; Leafs by no means should bendover. Dubas era is over; no more of catering to every whim of the players. This is a team sport. Logo matter more than the name on the back of a jersey.

 

[Gamble9]

I think the story of Florida and chucky is a bit cautionary he was bad every year in the playoffs for Calgary and in his first year away from that team he was electric and a new coach got something out of him in the playoffs ridding his clutch performance as well as bobs unreal run in rounds 2 and 3 to the cup finals people thinking just because young players havnt delivered in a big way in the playoffs because they never will need to look at what a change of coach and systems can do to a player

 

[Gabriel426]

appreciated the chart but I'm aware of his production, but last time I checked PP goals or contributing to PP goals still help the team win contrary to your belief it seems. I could easily also say that having a guy whose top 10 in PP scoring is really helpful to a successful PP. but I would like to add that your just proving my point of the post that signing a max length UFA deal probably doesn't look good in years 6-8 similar to Tavares. so if Matthews is looking at 5 years this benefits us greatly

JT’s number didn’t look good from the start. We paid 11mil bc he was a UFA and can sign for nothing. Also create huge buzz that Leafs is a force in the league…..

Getting AM at 5 yrs is stupid if you do want to build around him and bet on him to lead the team to Cup. Unless you don’t think he is someone that can do that, in that case you trade him now as other teams might think they can get 8 yrs from him instead of just a few years in the near future.

 

[Sypher04]

What do you mean nice dodge. Why would you want to exclude a down season and only look at the greener pasture seasons one of which is a Canadian division where all the other Canadian teams were absolutely garbage. Context is a thing you know when looking at things.

There is absolutely no way one can justify paying Matthews more than Mack. The only way to justify that is when individual accomplishments have more meaning than team accomplishments. And only way to have better team accomplishments in a cap world is not to overpay handful of individuals significantly such that you don't have much cap left to round out the roster with quality depth on offense and defense; especially when the said "individuals" become invisible in the playoffs especially when team needs them most. There is 7 years worth of evidence. what more do you want?

What are you talking about? I specifically want to compare body of work and not cherry pick his one last season like YOU did in your post that I replied to.

We’re talking about an individual player salary, of course individual accomplishments have more meaning than team accomplishments. It’s utter nonsense to conclude otherwise.

And I’m not arguing for significantly overpaying any of your guys nor am I satisfied with what’s happened here the past 7 years, so I’m not sure what exactly you’re looking for from me here. I’m not answering for the opinions you’re trying to put in my mouth.

 

[Leafsfan74]

The greater question may be, "what if he doesn't sign on July 1st"?

What a horrible situation that would place the team. If he walks, it would be the worst GM decision in Leafs history to not have traded him barring the very unlikely scenario that they win the Cup in the final year of his contact.

Sorry, I don't care how other players operate. He you know what or gets off the pot. The stakes are too high.

 

[Gabriel426]

The greater question may be, "what if he doesn't sign on July 1st"?

What a horrible situation that would place the team. If he walks, it would be the worst GM decision in Leafs history to not have traded him barring the very unlikely scenario that they win the Cup in the final year of his contact.

Sorry, I don't care how other players operate. He you know what or gets off the pot. The stakes are too high.

Then he walks. Since the Leafs could not win crap with him. Some here kept saying we made the playoffs 7 yrs in a row, one of the two teams that done that….remember the dark years and should be thankful we got talented players and make the playoffs.
While Vegas was put together with a whole bunch of leftovers and unwanted players from the rest of the league and managed to Cup Finals in their first year and win the Cup in the same timeframe as our great Leafs 7 yrs playoffs run.

 

[-DeMo-]

In the playoffs when whistles are put away 5 on 5 production and on ice hockey becomes really important. 11 AAV for a player that cannot produce 5 on 5 even in the regular season is a boat anchor.

One cannot build a competitive roster when you have such scenarios in the franchise IMO

again not sure why your fixating on Tavares here because the point is years 6-8 are almost never worth the AAV they sign for in the long term UFA contract

however looking at PP time per game Vegas averaged 4:13 in the regular season while they averaged 5:29 in the playoffs, so Vegas actually saw there powerplay time increase in the playoffs, and the Leafs this season saw there PP time decrease from 4:55 to 4:32. doesn't really seem like a significant drop however wouldn't that mean you would want higher PP efficient players because you would have a smaller window to produce on the PP in the playoffs? hence Tavares,

 

[Leafsfan74]

Then he walks. Since the Leafs could not win crap with him. Some here kept saying we made the playoffs 7 yrs in a row, one of the two teams that done that….remember the dark years and should be thankful we got talented players and make the playoffs.
While Vegas was put together with a whole bunch of leftovers and unwanted players from the rest of the league and managed to Cup Finals in their first year and win the Cup in the same timeframe as our great Leafs 7 yrs playoffs run.

I'm a fan of his, but I'm also a problem solver, it's the way my mind works.

The issue isn't us losing him, it would be losing him for nothing. You could get 3 First Round Picks for him and celebrate. The Cap space has serious value too.

Bottom line, does the same G.M want to get burned in back to back years in the exact same manner?
I don't care if Matthews is "95% lock to sign after July 1st". That 5% risk isn't one I take.

 

[Gabriel426]

I'm a fan of his, but I'm also a problem solver, it's the way my mind works.

The issue isn't us losing him, it would be losing him for nothing. You could get 3 First Round Picks for him and celebrate. The Cap space has serious value too.

Bottom line, does the same G.M want to get burned in back to back years in the exact same manner?
I don't care if Matthews is "95% lock to sign after July 1st". That 5% risk isn't one I take.

I agree. If he has not sign a predated contract, you need to trade him before July 1.

No point dragging this on for a season if he chooses to walk, trade him at TDL or just sit him

 

[-DeMo-]

JT’s number didn’t look good from the start. We paid 11mil bc he was a UFA and can sign for nothing. Also create huge buzz that Leafs is a force in the league…..

Getting AM at 5 yrs is stupid if you do want to build around him and bet on him to lead the team to Cup. Unless you don’t think he is someone that can do that, in that case you trade him now as other teams might think they can get 8 yrs from him instead of just a few years in the near future.

even if Matthews signs a team friendly deal this summer @ 8 years 12.5 million that will take him to 35 years old I doubt Matthews at 32-35 is going to be worth 12.5 million hence why I think the 5 year time frame for a deal is actually beneficial for us.

 

[Gabriel426]

even if Matthews signs a team friendly deal this summer @ 8 years 12.5 million that will take him to 35 years old I doubt Matthews at 32-35 is going to be worth 12.5 million hence why I think the 5 year time frame for a deal is actually beneficial for us.

Just sign him 8 yrs and then trade him to his prefer team with 2 yrs left or so unless he wants to retire as a Leafs.
Problem solved

 

[al secord]

The greater question may be, "what if he doesn't sign on July 1st"?

What a horrible situation that would place the team. If he walks, it would be the worst GM decision in Leafs history to not have traded him barring the very unlikely scenario that they win the Cup in the final year of his contact.

Sorry, I don't care how other players operate. He you know what or gets off the pot. The stakes are too high.

What if he signs on July 2nd?

 

[Gabriel426]

What if he signs on July 2nd?

Why wait ONE day? Lol.

 

[al secord]

Why wait ONE day? Lol.

He gets caught up watching Free Agent Frenzy or Wes Anderson's new movie.

 

[myleafs]

I think the story of Florida and chucky is a bit cautionary he was bad every year in the playoffs for Calgary and in his first year away from that team he was electric and a new coach got something out of him in the playoffs ridding his clutch performance as well as bobs unreal run in rounds 2 and 3 to the cup finals people thinking just because young players havnt delivered in a big way in the playoffs because they never will need to look at what a change of coach and systems can do to a player

21-22 20gms 24pts

I wouldn't call that bad

 

[-DeMo-]

Just sign him 8 yrs and then trade him to his prefer team with 2 yrs left or so unless he wants to retire as a Leafs.
Problem solved

if the idea is to trade him around year 6-7 why not go 5 years then? I mean if his play comes down to a 7-8 million dollar player by then but he's a 12.5 cap hit teams wont be lining up to take him.

 

[WestCoastLeafs]

even if Matthews signs a team friendly deal this summer @ 8 years 12.5 million that will take him to 35 years old I doubt Matthews at 32-35 is going to be worth 12.5 million hence why I think the 5 year time frame for a deal is actually beneficial for us.

To put it in perspective, when Matthews next contract starts, he'll be one year younger than Tavares was when he joined the Leafs. It's a max of 8 years instead of 7, so a max deal would bring him to the same age at end of contract.

With all the complaining about Tavares I read on here, you would think a 12Mx5 deal would have been preferable to the 11Mx7 that Tavares did sign. Certainly no one would have been complaining if he signed 11Mx5 instead of 11Mx7.

But now people are saying Matthews needs to take a smaller cap hit if he goes 5 years instead of 8??? Crazy.

 

[Stephen]

To put it in perspective, when Matthews next contract starts, he'll be one year younger than Tavares was when he joined the Leafs. It's a max of 8 years instead of 7, so a max deal would bring him to the same age at end of contract.

With all the complaining about Tavares I read on here, you would think a 12Mx5 deal would have been preferable to the 11Mx7 that Tavares did sign. Certainly no one would have been complaining if he signed 11Mx5 instead of 11Mx7.

But now people are saying Matthews needs to take a smaller cap hit if he goes 5 years instead of 8??? Crazy.

The time for an 8 year deal was this current contract. Then you taper off to a 5. You don't do it the other way around because you start buying a lot more mid 30 seasons than ideal.

 

[Menzinger]

The greater question may be, "what if he doesn't sign on July 1st"?

What a horrible situation that would place the team. If he walks, it would be the worst GM decision in Leafs history to not have traded him barring the very unlikely scenario that they win the Cup in the final year of his contact.

Sorry, I don't care how other players operate. He you know what or gets off the pot. The stakes are too high.

I'm actually half-expecting that to happen. But don't think it's all that significant.

The details of the contract may take a few weeks beyond July 1st to sort out.

Ideally for our peace of mind they'll announce the extension July 1st - but since both sides seem fairly focused on getting an extension they may opt to focus on the specifics in the weeks after free agents frenzy

 

[Racer88]

The greater question may be, "what if he doesn't sign on July 1st"?

What a horrible situation that would place the team. If he walks, it would be the worst GM decision in Leafs history to not have traded him barring the very unlikely scenario that they win the Cup in the final year of his contact.

Sorry, I don't care how other players operate. He you know what or gets off the pot. The stakes are too high.

That’s why they have to have a deal in principle with him the next few days or they have to trade him before July 1st. There is no other option

 

[BallardEra]

He doesn't have to sign by July 1sr.

Pastrnak went deep into last season before signing his extension.