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

[usernamezrhardtodo]

Management never thought that. It seems some fans did though.

Coming on their perfectly normal schedule, not yours.

So you think the fact they kept the core together after each failure was showing us that they can't win with this mix of players was not management doubling and quadrupling down? It was the fans that thought we would just win because Chicago and Pitts did it relatively quickly? I know most fans wanted a big change after the CBJ series let alone Montreal.

 

[tuckerintensity]

Hey man I actually agree with most of this as far as the reporters go.
However is still think that if he is going to sign what is the point of waiting, unless there are important details they have not agreed on yet and if that is the case then nothing is guaranteed until they both sign the document

As has been documented in this thread many times, most players in his position don't sign this early. Leafs Nation and Leafs media won't stop churning though.

 

[Dekes For Days]

So you think the fact they kept the core together after each failure was showing us that they can't win with this mix of players was not management doubling and quadrupling down? It was the fans that thought we would just win because Chicago and Pitts did it relatively quickly? I know most fans wanted a big change after the CBJ series let alone Montreal.

A lot of fans seemed to get the idea that winning was inevitable and that we were entitled to be the next Chicago/Pittsburgh, and that if we didn't get that type of immediate outcome regardless of the differences in the team situations and surrounding league situations, it meant that the GM was garbage and the core players sucked and were losers and would always be losers, and everything had to be blown up because there was no chance.

Management thankfully seems to realize how long building a winning team can actually take, how much external factors influence playoff outcomes, the actual quality and rarity and age of our core players, and how pathways to victory can come in many different shapes and sizes and aren't always linear, so there is more patience to continue building onto this great team we have and keep amazing players in their prime, in the pursuit of a championship, instead of blowing/screwing it up just because we didn't end up matching a Chicago/Pittsburgh path.

Hey man I actually agree with most of this as far as the reporters go.
However is still think that if he is going to sign what is the point of waiting, unless there are important details they have not agreed on yet and if that is the case then nothing is guaranteed until they both sign the document

The point of waiting is the same as it was for all of the other players and teams who waited this long and even longer. Negotiations and contracts take time, and there are a lot of things a team needs to do in an offseason. There is no rush, and it's better to do it right than do it fast.

 

[Racer88]

As has been documented in this thread many times, most players in his position don't sign this early. Leafs Nation and Leafs media won't stop churning though.

Serious question. Why do you think they don’t sign this early? What would be the motivation to delay one of the most important financial decisions of their lives ?

 

[Racer88]

A lot of fans seemed to get the idea that winning was inevitable and that we were entitled to be the next Chicago/Pittsburgh, and that if we didn't get that type of immediate outcome regardless of the differences in the team situations and surrounding league situations, it meant that the GM was garbage and the core players sucked and were losers and would always be losers, and everything had to be blown up because there was no chance.

Management thankfully seems to realize how long building a winning team can actually take, how much external factors influence playoff outcomes, the actual quality and rarity and age of our core players, and how pathways to victory can come in many different shapes and sizes and aren't always linear, so there is more patience to continue building onto this great team we have and keep amazing players in their prime, in the pursuit of a championship, instead of blowing/screwing it up just because we didn't end up matching a Chicago/Pittsburgh path.

The point of waiting is the same as it was for all of the other players and teams who waited this long and even longer. Negotiations and contracts take time, and there are a lot of things a team needs to do in an offseason. There is no rush, and it's better to do it right than do it fast.

Fair enough but contracts only take so long. Most “housekeeping” clauses and details can be worked out fairly quickly. More serious components are usually take longer the farther apart the sides are. As far as the team having lots of things to do in the off season if this isn’t job one then we need new management.
I find it funny that players and management routinely complain about how the fan bases are all over them yet if he is truly committed to being a Leaf and not just trying to squeeze the most money out of them here is a perfect opportunity to show how much he really wants to be a Leaf.

 

[Throw More Waffles]

Serious question. Why do you think they don’t sign this early? What would be the motivation to delay one of the most important financial decisions of their lives ?

I think it depends on the season they're coming off of.

Nylander is coming off of a career year and if possible would like to have an agreement by the end of summer. Matthews is coming off of a very pedestrian season. He played as a 9 million dollar player and is trying to negotiate a 14+ million contract. If he really does want to stay, I could understand him betting on himself and extending some time during the season.

 

[Squiffy]

Not only where is the contract, where is he? All these great sports reporters(?) and not one if them can travel to see if he us working out, had wrist surgery, knee procedure, tummy tuck or whatever. They all just talk and make phone calls to each other. There will be pictures of Mitchy and his wedding.
Lazy reporting.
AM has not given 1 ounce of info that he wants to stay directly. Not 1 reporter has talked to him.
There is an unspoken secret about AM, I have no knowledge about what it may be, only guesses, but one of these talking heads needs to do their jobs.

Feschuk should call AM's mom. Marlene Reimer probably has it if he needs it.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Fair enough but contracts only take so long. Most “housekeeping” clauses and details can be worked out fairly quickly. More serious components are usually take longer the farther apart the sides are. As far as the team having lots of things to do in the off season if this isn’t job one then we need new management.
I find it funny that players and management routinely complain about how the fan bases are all over them yet if he is truly committed to being a Leaf and not just trying to squeeze the most money out of them here is a perfect opportunity to show how much he really wants to be a Leaf.

Most people here have no idea what goes into negotiations and contracts, let alone all of the other things that go into running a multi-billion dollar business. Just because something is the most important thing long-term, it doesn't mean it's the thing that has to be done first. Treliving has only been here for a month and a half, a lot has taken place in that time, and training camp (for the season he's already signed for) is still 2 months away. The fact that he hasn't signed yet doesn't suggest anything. It's normal.

What would be the motivation to delay one of the most important financial decisions of their lives ?

To flip that, what would be the motivation to rush one of the most important financial decisions of their lives? What's changing between now and August/September?

 

[Niagara Bill]

The jobs of these reporters is not to travel around and harass the players during the offseason. That's a great way to get blacklisted.
Matthews has said he wants to stay every time it's brought up, so if people haven't accepted it yet, saying it again isn't going to change anything.
His contract will be signed when they're ready.

What bs.
Did he have wrist surgery, knee issues, hip issues?
Little Austin wants you bucks then you get top attention. If you were a football player or soccer some guy eiuld be kn the street watching you.
Would Pascal have surgery and nobody know,
Blacklist just means not invited to my golf tourney.
They need to do their jobs. Calling an agent is not their job.
I can read an agents press release too. I don't need it translated by some talking head with no knowledge other than a guess.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Did he have wrist surgery, knee issues, hip issues?

If Matthews has surgery, you'll probably know.

They need to do their jobs.

They are doing their jobs. Their job is just not what you seem to think their job is.

 

[andora]

I think he is getting 13.4 in or about.. 5 yrs

 

[Niagara Bill]

If Matthews has surgery, you'll probably know.

They are doing their jobs. Their job is just not what you seem to think their job is.

Again bs, if he had surgery you would PROBABLY know....and it is their job, they love to take credit when they guess right. You seem to think they are guess gods. No wonder Roger's lays off these guys.

 

[geo25]

For a guy who says he "doesn't plan on leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs", it is taking a long time to sign. I get that they may have a deal in place and they may not want to announce it until after Nylander signs but Matty signing sooner than later would show the fans just how much he wants to stay and it would buy him some goodwill from Leafs nation IMO. I mean they guy is coming off one of his poorest playoff performances to date. After seeing him score in game #6 against Washington, I thought the sky is the limit. Hard to believe he has not been able to get us over the hump 6 years later.

I'm starting to think its Shanny who behind the curtains thinks he's the smartest guy in the room & not Dubas. Dubas was ready to make changes based on his end of season comments. Galaxy brain Shanny runs everything back ....even Dubas at one point (a good foot soldier)....how will he explain the likely possibiliy of AM not resigning.....what a mess. Deja-vu all over again...

 

[geo25]

Serious question. Why do you think they don’t sign this early? What would be the motivation to delay one of the most important financial decisions of their lives ?

More $$$, less spotlight as ROR claimed....something doesn't jive...

 

[al secord]

What bs.
Did he have wrist surgery, knee issues, hip issues?
Little Austin wants you bucks then you get top attention. If you were a football player or soccer some guy eiuld be kn the street watching you.
Would Pascal have surgery and nobody know,
Blacklist just means not invited to my golf tourney.
They need to do their jobs. Calling an agent is not their job.
I can read an agents press release too. I don't need it translated by some talking head with no knowledge other than a guess.

Unhinged.

 

[keonsbitterness]

Unhinged.

Maybe he's on to something. Round up some journalists and have them stalk our players all summer. Make it a reality show. The first journalist to incite a lawsuit or arrest wins $50.

 

[Niagara Bill]

Unhinged.

Realistic...as a fan you want info....dud he or did he not have a shiiitty season because of injury. He was not a 13m player last season.
Stop eating the crap given to you.

 

[Boxscore]

Serious question. Why do you think they don’t sign this early? What would be the motivation to delay one of the most important financial decisions of their lives ?

Because Nylanders agent is waiting to see what Matthews is willing to leave on the table before he overplays his hand. And Matthews agent is waiting to see what Nylander signs for so he knows if he can demand more cap % that is left over. As for the Leafs, they have no incentive to slow-walk these signings.

 

[29Potvin]

Mackinnon didn't sign his extension until September 20th after winning a Cup.
What's the rush?

 

[Niagara Bill]

Maybe he's on to something. Round up some journalists and have them stalk our players all summer. Make it a reality show. The first journalist to incite a lawsuit or arrest wins $50.

Ha ha ha...why the f do you read them if they know less than you.

 

[Boxscore]

Mackinnon didn't sign his extension until September 20th after winning a Cup.
What's the rush?

So you're comparing the Leafs and their players (who have notoriously been pains in the butt to sign) to...

1. A guy who has notoriously been easy to sign
2. A team who was spending the summer celebrating their Cup win

I mean, sure, when the Leafs have a parade they can drag their feet signing two of their most important pieces.

 

[keonsbitterness]

Ha ha ha...why the f do you read them if they know less than you.

How do you know who I read?

 

[Racer88]

Mackinnon didn't sign his extension until September 20th after winning a Cup.
What's the rush?

He won a cup earning the right to be a little tardy. Matthews has won nothing from a team perspective

 

[Racer88]

I think it depends on the season they're coming off of.

Nylander is coming off of a career year and if possible would like to have an agreement by the end of summer. Matthews is coming off of a very pedestrian season. He played as a 9 million dollar player and is trying to negotiate a 14+ million contract. If he really does want to stay, I could understand him betting on himself and extending some time during the season.

If he really does want to stay he will sign before the season begins. If he is not signed by then he will wait until the season is over.
my whole point is all the talk that he wants to stay and will certainly sign an extension with the Leafs is pure speculation and nothing more. If they are far enough apart that they don’t have the deal done by now there is a possibility that he does not sign and try’s free agency next year

 

[Sypher04]

So you're comparing the Leafs and their players (who have notoriously been pains in the butt to sign) to...

1. A guy who has notoriously been easy to sign
2. A team who was spending the summer celebrating their Cup win

I mean, sure, when the Leafs have a parade they can drag their feet signing two of their most important pieces.

David Pastrnak did not win the cup, and had also been previously difficult to come to terms with and yet he didn’t sign until March. And there are countless other examples, many of which already brought up repeatedly in this very thread.

The fact Matthews and Nylander are not yet extended on July 18th is in no way abnormal or a big problem