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

[Stephen]

4-5 years at a max cap hit is still a long time, and in competitive window he’s looking to get $2-3 million more in AAV which is pretty valuable

5-6 years is a very flexible time frame for a new contract. Takes us to 2029 and 2030 respectively and assume most of Matthews remaining peak and prime years. If that contract was longer you’d be carrying more peak year AAVs deeper into Matthews 30s.

In hindsight what we needed was an 8 year second contract and a 5 year third contract, not the other way around!

 

[capfit9]

The Stakeholders would not wait until July 1 for the number and term as Dreger is saying.

That makes no sense. The date of July 1 is merely a signing date.

All Stakeholders can discuss this well ahead of time and know what is needed to get this done.

If by Draft day there is zero agreement whatsoever , he will be traded.

If Matthews’ camp says we will only present the offer on the day he can sign there’s not much anyone can do other than trade him even before a offer is tabled from his side. That is how heists work.

Hasn’t it been demonstrated that Dreger really has no connections to this team anymore?

Just wishful thinking on your part, guy helped Marner get his money

 

[Just Rude]

Won't matter. Just wait until the Yotes relocate to Houston.

The mains be like:

"mATTHEWS hATES tORONTO hE gONNA bOLT tO tHE hOUSTON f***ING aEROS."

 

[Trapper]

Won't matter. Just wait until the Yotes relocate to Houston.

The mains be like:

"mATTHEWS hATES tORONTO hE gONNA bOLT tO tHE hOUSON f***ING aEROS."

Matthews won’t go there.
All his exes live in Texas, he’ll hang his hat in Tennessee.

 

[Americanadian]

5-6 years is a very flexible time frame for a new contract. Takes us to 2029 and 2030 respectively and assume most of Matthews remaining peak and prime years. If that contract was longer you’d be carrying more peak year AAVs deeper into Matthews 30s.

In hindsight what we needed was an 8 year second contract and a 5 year third contract, not the other way around!

5-6 years on the 3rd contract is realistically the best case scenario for both sides.

 

[Squiffy]

5 years on the salary structure of the cap as it stands for 23-24 sounds fine to me. More is great, but I can see why he wouldn't want to lock in to that. Could be 12-15 million higher by then.

 

[Just Rude]

Matthews won’t go there.
All his exes live in Texas, he’ll hang his hat in Tennessee.

Like button still revoked so you get the real one. >

 

[nuck]

According to Dredger's podcast, Matthews representation does not want any negotiation and their expectation is they will present one offer to MLSE as take it or leave it.

Start @ 19:34

"The sense is that..." sounds like something heard third or fourth hand so its with a grain of salt even if it was from someone other than Dreger. Thats not a bad way to approach it though, if they can get this "final" number right away because they can either take it or go back with their own number and then start checking into trade opportunities. $14M for a guy who had 10 centers outscore him this year? Too bad you can't take your vets to arbitration.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I don't believe you will see Leafs extend past MAC AAV .. bottom line that's it .. so this will be an 8 year max deal .. and Matty's reps know da score here .. if they come in above then they may sign and trade him too

 

[LeafLoyalist]

Gotta love Leaf fans, it's like we are sitting in the negotiation room and deciding how much of OUR money to give him. The league, NHLPA and owners going to have their eyes all over this one...this is a huge challenge, and will set the bar going forward. Anyone predicting the outcome is just throwing turd on the wall to see what sticks. The more outcomes i predict the better the chance of being right. One thing we will know, is Mathews really a team player and all about the team or will it be about himself. From what i have seen he is showing he is about the team, so we have to give him the benefit of the doubt that he will be a Leaf at a reasonable contract. But I know if he goes for the money, i will still respect his decision, anyone hating on him if he does doesn't understand that these players don't play forever and have to cash in with what time they have playing. Also, it's damn hard to win a cup in this league, why risk cashing in for a slim chance at winning a cup, i will understand with whatever decision he makes.

 

[LeafGrief]

It's funny that people still think the cap is going to go up.

If Matthews is thinking about long term dollars, which we have every indication to believe that he is, he knows he needs to be in Toronto. Man who likes fame and money will want to be the best player in Leafs history who wins here. He looks at the money he gets from RBC and those f***ing gambling commercials and knows full well that being in Toronto is a big bargaining chip when he's negotiating for those bucks. And we're not just talking about his time here, we're talking about the 40+ years after his career is over. If he's the guy who wins us a cup, he gets the keys to the city and endorsement deals for life. If he buggers off to LA he'll be persona non-grata in Canada and that comes with a massive financial hit over the course of his life.

The tricky thing for him is that he really is in that tier of player where legacy matters financially as much as it does emotionally. His legacy in Toronto right now is completely up in the air. If he's going to put us to the screws and go for a 13m contract, I think we look him in the eye and tell him that's not going to fly. He's been given his money, he's been given one of the best linemates in the league, he's been given deadline rentals and a coach who will kiss his ass, and he hasn't delivered. If he wants to be here and to secure that legacy and god status in hockey's mecca, he has to bring something to the table. He didn't deliver on the first deal, so he's not getting a raise. God help us if our management lets him walk all over them again.

11.34 for another five years and we'll give him his retirement contract when he wins us a cup. We're not just negotiating a deal with our best player, we're negotiating what he wants his legacy to be.

 

[Squiffy]

There is really no scenario where AM's next contract isn't the highest AAV until the next superstar contract. Here or somewhere else, he's getting it. By how much is the question.

@LeafGrief it's expect to jump 4 million for 24-25 and the same after that. Covid aside, that's in the neighbourhood of how much it traditionally rose every year, why would we expect differently? Once the Covid escrow is paid off the artifical cap is off.

 

[Martin Skoula]

how does forgoing a long-term extension for a medium-term one hinder future cap flexibility? It only opens up more potential flexibility.

Do you guys think the Leafs wanted to sign Tavares for 7 years into his mid-30's? Of course not. A 5 year deal expiring this summer would have been much better. But the competitive nature of free agency pushes teams to make longer commitments than is optimal. Max term is great for a second contract, but once you reach UFA years it's going to involve paying big dollars for seasons in decline.

If Matthews signs medium-term he's giving all his prime years to the Leafs. And the team has an out so they're not saddled with a possible anchor like if he were to sign for 8 years. The guy has had trouble staying healthy in his early 20's, if he's not insisting on max term that's simply a gift.

12.7 x 5 without full trade protection in the last year is the best case scenario for us barring something stupid like Matthews feeling so bad about whatever everyone is crying about that he fights the NHLPA to take a 8x1 deal.

 

[LeafLoyalist]

It's funny that people still think the cap is going to go up.

If Matthews is thinking about long term dollars, which we have every indication to believe that he is, he knows he needs to be in Toronto. Man who likes fame and money will want to be the best player in Leafs history who wins here. He looks at the money he gets from RBC and those f***ing gambling commercials and knows full well that being in Toronto is a big bargaining chip when he's negotiating for those bucks. And we're not just talking about his time here, we're talking about the 40+ years after his career is over. If he's the guy who wins us a cup, he gets the keys to the city and endorsement deals for life. If he buggers off to LA he'll be persona non-grata in Canada and that comes with a massive financial hit over the course of his life.

The tricky thing for him is that he really is in that tier of player where legacy matters financially as much as it does emotionally. His legacy in Toronto right now is completely up in the air. If he's going to put us to the screws and go for a 13m contract, I think we look him in the eye and tell him that's not going to fly. He's been given his money, he's been given one of the best linemates in the league, he's been given deadline rentals and a coach who will kiss his ass, and he hasn't delivered. If he wants to be here and to secure that legacy and god status in hockey's mecca, he has to bring something to the table. He didn't deliver on the first deal, so he's not getting a raise. God help us if our management lets him walk all over them again.

11.34 for another five years and we'll give him his retirement contract when he wins us a cup. We're not just negotiating a deal with our best player, we're negotiating what he wants his legacy to be.

You would be surprised to know who makes the most money off ice, based on 2021 stats;

Ovechkin $5m
McDavid $4.5m
Mathews $3.8m
According to Forbes

So what happens if he has another 2 or 3 60 goal season, tears it up in the playoffs and doesn't win a cup, will he get paid in his retirement.

 

[Sypher04]

It's funny that people still think the cap is going to go up.

If Matthews is thinking about long term dollars, which we have every indication to believe that he is, he knows he needs to be in Toronto. Man who likes fame and money will want to be the best player in Leafs history who wins here. He looks at the money he gets from RBC and those f***ing gambling commercials and knows full well that being in Toronto is a big bargaining chip when he's negotiating for those bucks. And we're not just talking about his time here, we're talking about the 40+ years after his career is over. If he's the guy who wins us a cup, he gets the keys to the city and endorsement deals for life. If he buggers off to LA he'll be persona non-grata in Canada and that comes with a massive financial hit over the course of his life.

The tricky thing for him is that he really is in that tier of player where legacy matters financially as much as it does emotionally. His legacy in Toronto right now is completely up in the air. If he's going to put us to the screws and go for a 13m contract, I think we look him in the eye and tell him that's not going to fly. He's been given his money, he's been given one of the best linemates in the league, he's been given deadline rentals and a coach who will kiss his ass, and he hasn't delivered. If he wants to be here and to secure that legacy and god status in hockey's mecca, he has to bring something to the table. He didn't deliver on the first deal, so he's not getting a raise. God help us if our management lets him walk all over them again.

11.34 for another five years and we'll give him his retirement contract when he wins us a cup. We're not just negotiating a deal with our best player, we're negotiating what he wants his legacy to be.

You’re dreaming dude. The man has clearly earned a raise, and 13M would not be at all be putting the screws to us. There’s a very strong chance the cap is ~5M+ higher before he even plays a game of that contract.

 

[Budz]

If Matthews’ camp says we will only present the offer on the day he can sign there’s not much anyone can do other than trade him even before a offer is tabled from his side. That is how heists work.


Just wishful thinking on your part, guy helped Marner get his money

Ya. Honestly the gall of this guy.

I’ve changed my tune. I want Marner and Matthews gone. Get a younger Centre for 34 and 1/2 Dman for Marner.

I just can’t cheer for these guys.

 

[capfit9]

"The sense is that..." sounds like something heard third or fourth hand so its with a grain of salt even if it was from someone other than Dreger. Thats not a bad way to approach it though, if they can get this "final" number right away because they can either take it or go back with their own number and then start checking into trade opportunities. $14M for a guy who had 10 centers outscore him this year? Too bad you can't take your vets to arbitration.

what if the number only gets presented on July 1st when his NMC, Marner's NMC and Nylander's NTC kicks in, what options does MLSE have at that point. To add to this, if Matthews says he will only sign if Nylander & Marner return, what do you do ? The position the organization currently sits in is a direct result of Dubas' decisions, so we can all thank him for that.

 

[Squiffy]

what if the number only gets presented on July 1st when his NMC, Marner's NMC and Nylander's NTC kicks in, what options does MLSE have at that point. To add to this, if Matthews says he will only sign if Nylander & Marner return, what do you do ? The position the organization currently sits in is a direct result of Dubas' decisions, so we can all thank him for that.

This is assuming super-villain levels of negotiation by Matthews agents, is it really something to worry about? Isn't a professional negotiation by agents not looking to sewer their reputation league wide more likely?

 

[capfit9]

Ya. Honestly the gall of this guy.

I’ve changed my tune. I want Marner and Matthews gone. Get a younger Centre for 34 and 1/2 Dman for Marner.

I just can’t cheer for these guys.

when an organization continues to enable this is what you get

 

[Rob Brown]

If Matthews’ camp says we will only present the offer on the day he can sign there’s not much anyone can do other than trade him even before a offer is tabled from his side. That is how heists work.


Just wishful thinking on your part, guy helped Marner get his money

Marner signed almost 4 years ago. I meant in recent years he hasn’t really called anything. Like I said, maybe I’m wrong and forgetting something.

 

[DuklaNation]

If he wants significantly more than Pastrnak, then trade him. He's at the point where he's overrated. Has had 2 exceptional seasons so far. Otherwise, solid 80ish pt guy, 40 goals. Not worth the max, Put an end to these players walking all over the franchise and the fans. Guy was a complete non factor when it counted most.

 

[capfit9]

Marner signed almost 4 years ago. I meant in recent years he hasn’t really called anything. Like I said, maybe I’m wrong and forgetting something.

Maybe he is wrong but it seems to be inline with all the other insiders reporting that Matthews wants to be highest paid in the league

 

[Squiffy]

If he wants significantly more than Pastrnak, then trade him. He's at the point where he's overrated. Has had 2 exceptional seasons so far. Otherwise, solid 80ish pt guy, 40 goals. Not worth the max, Put an end to these players walking all over the franchise and the fans. Guy was a complete non factor when it counted most.

There's no way he's looking, or getting, max money. $16m+? 4 more then MacK? No chance. They aren't proposing that.

 

[capfit9]

If he wants significantly more than Pastrnak, then trade him. He's at the point where he's overrated. Has had 2 exceptional seasons so far. Otherwise, solid 80ish pt guy, 40 goals. Not worth the max, Put an end to these players walking all over the franchise and the fans. Guy was a complete non factor when it counted most.

wholeheartedly agree but that requires a management group with a spine and past history has suggested that's not the case.

 

[DuklaNation]

The higher you pay these guys, the harder it is to build around them, and its not linear. Even the best GM on the planet would be challenged.