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

[Hellcat]

He's being paid on the fact that on the open market there will be teams who will gladly pay him more than his current salary.

It's got nothing to do with "being overpaid the last 5 years but getting a raise by default." Market value buddy.

31 other teams would gladly pay

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

He's being paid on the fact that on the open market there will be teams who will gladly pay him more than his current salary.

It's got nothing to do with "being overpaid the last 5 years but getting a raise by default." Market value buddy.

That's what Klingberg thought too.

But you are correct. Ovechkin-lite is a much bigger draw than Karlsson-lite. There will be 31 other teams lined up cash in hand anxious to overpay this guy even more.

The current captain of the team is proof enough of that.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Define a NHL leader.

A player who doesn’t cripple his team’s salary cap structure with his selfish demands would be a start.

 

[ACC1224]

He just wants to get paid like one is all.



I think I deserve a raise for doing the same job I've been doing for years, and probably not gonna do any better than I have historically, but I doubt I'll be getting one.

It takes a real sense of entitlement to say to your boss that even though you've probably been overpaid the last five years you want a raise anyway just because, you know, it's been five years since your last one.

Never mind the fact he's already the highest paid employee in the company.

You must really suck at your job. I'd consider posting less and focusing on your work.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

As excited as I am to see a different look from the point on the PP, I'm equally just as scared of what this defence will look like. McCabe and Brodie are the only real defensive specialists, and Brodie ain't what he used to be. Combine that into a group of Rielly, Klingberg, Liljgren who are more offensive oriented, and the corpse of Giordano rotating in with Timmons... yikes.

I know he was only here for a few months, but the loss of Schenn is really going to hurt. Him and Rielly were perfect together (who predicted that one?) and were each arguably the best partner the others ever had.

I really don't think it was that complicated to get Reilly a good partner. Dubas and Keefe just kept tinkering with him too much. He just needs a solid Defensively oriented guy who doesn't care about points and can make a good first pass. Reilly can do his thing without worrying that he has to rush back to defend. He made it work with all of the Defense first guys he has played with....they just need to find another one.

 

[Throw More Waffles]

Matthews is the best Leaf ever and I don't mind paying him as such (IF last year was an outlier and not a sign of a chronic injury).

But I still maintain that because of that, one or both of Marner/Nylander needs to go.

Not because they're bad players. But because they do something I literally NEVER see on any other team. They determine their value NOT on league-wide comparables.... but on their perceived cost/ratio in comparison to Matthews.

That's why we have the entire Nylander thread agreeing thatu Nylander deserves in the high 8's based on league-wide comparables, but 10+ on the leafs if Matthews really signs for around 14.

Notice how none of us say this about players on other teams? "Gee... that's a huge overpayment. But players on that team ignore all league wide comparables, so it makes sense I guess." See how crazy it looks in reverse? To pay Matthews what he wants means that both Marner and Nylander will have to be paid significantly more than their league-wide comparables. And the team just won't be able to win that way.

If Matthews won't sign a team friendly deal, I say give him what he wants and move on from Marner and Nylander. And with that precedent set, sign new players based on league-wide comparables, not their perceived value in relation to Matthews.

 

[Hellcat]

A player who doesn’t cripple his team’s salary cap structure with his selfish demands would be a start.

Is McDavid selfish? MacKinnon selfish? Panarin selfish? Is it the players responsibility to balance the Teams Cap?

 

[Bomber0104]

Is McDavid selfish? MacKinnon selfish? Panarin selfish? Is it the players responsibility to balance the Teams Cap?

If they're serious about winning, yes.

If they're not serious about winning, then that's a problem both for the character/makeup of the player(s) but most importantly the team's chances at winning.

I don't understand why fans of the team support players trying to maximize ever last dollar at the expense of competitiveness.

Last time I checked we're supposed to be acting like fans of the team, not acting as quasi-player agents.

 

[rocketman588]

I really don't think it was that complicated to get Reilly a good partner. Dubas and Keefe just kept tinkering with him too much. He just needs a solid Defensively oriented guy who doesn't care about points and can make a good first pass. Reilly can do his thing without worrying that he has to rush back to defend. He made it work with all of the Defense first guys he has played with....they just need to find another one.

The choice to not move off muzzin last season when he was already kind of hurt because "we can't find anyone to replace him" was a pretty bad one

 

[Throw More Waffles]

If they're serious about winning, yes.

If they're not serious about winning, then that's both a problem both for the character/makeup of the player(s) but most importantly the team's chances at winning.

I don't understand why fans of the team support players trying to maximize ever last dollar at the expense of competitiveness.

Last time I checked we're supposed to be acting fans of the team, not acting as quasi-player agents.

This always weirdly fascinated me.

Players making 200+ mil in their careers (not including money outside of NHL paycheck) are part of the elite one percent.

When we look at the elite one percent in any other aspect of society, we consider it greedy and evil when they go to great lengths to minimize the amount of tax they pay (like relocating to places with no state tax). Or when they nickel and dime every last cent. We do not cheer on ANY other aspect of society when the elite one percent act this way. Only professional sports.

It used to be "Well, this is millionaire players nickel and diming against billionaire owners. I side with the players." Fair enough. And I did too.

But the cap changed this. 200+ mil elite one percenter Auston Matthews is nickel and diming for every single solitary last penny which is coming out of his much poorer teammate's pockets. I don't understand how that can be defended. I'm not even saying he needs to take a discount. But these 4 year term rumors and demanding significant overpayments is, quite frankly, despicable and morally reprehensible. This is an utterly elite one-percenter acting this way. It's ugly. (And I still think, as a team, we still need to give it to him... but that's another matter...)

 

[Boxscore]

Matthews is the best Leaf ever and I don't mind paying him as such (IF last year was an outlier and not a sign of a chronic injury).

But I still maintain that because of that, one or both of Marner/Nylander needs to go.

Not because they're bad players. But because they do something I literally NEVER see on any other team. They determine their value NOT on league-wide comparables.... but on their perceived cost/ratio in comparison to Matthews.

That's why we have the entire Nylander thread agreeing thatu Nylander deserves in the high 8's based on league-wide comparables, but 10+ on the leafs if Matthews really signs for around 14.

Notice how none of us say this about players on other teams? "Gee... that's a huge overpayment. But players on that team ignore all league wide comparables, so it makes sense I guess." See how crazy it looks in reverse? To pay Matthews what he wants means that both Marner and Nylander will have to be paid significantly more than their league-wide comparables. And the team just won't be able to win that way.

If Matthews won't sign a team friendly deal, I say give him what he wants and move on from Marner and Nylander. And with that precedent set, sign new players based on league-wide comparables, not their perceived value in relation to Matthews.

Matthews is in no way, shape, or form, close to the greatest Leaf ever lol. This is silly, recency bias nonsense.

But, yes, if the Leafs pay Matthews what he wants (not what he deserves) then one or both of Marner and Nylander will likely need to go. Then you'll get to see your favorite player skate with lesser talent and continue to lose in the playoffs until he gets frustrated with the constant failure or heat then demands a trade or walks for nothing. Sounds terrific, no?

I agree with you completely about Marner basing his contract off Matthews, which is utterly insane. Marner is worth no more than Matt Tkachuk and he makes 9.5 x 8. Nylander is a little more tricky, but I think he deserves Timo Meier money and it has nothing to do with Matthews or Marner.

The way the Leafs absolutely submit to Matthews and never hold him accountable is rather absurd. And the fans are even worse which is ridiculous.

 

[Boxscore]

I don't understand why fans of the team support players trying to maximize ever last dollar at the expense of competitiveness.

Last time I checked we're supposed to be acting like fans of the team, not acting as quasi-player agents.

Agreed. Like I said, the fans have become simps for Matthews, and to a lesser extent Marner, and it's embarrassing.

"Pay him anything!"

"Give him what he wants!"

"He's the greatest Leaf ever!"

"He deserves more than McDavid and MacKinnon!"

Meanwhile, the guy's production come playoff time has dropped to 0.88 PPG and with him as our "best player" we have won 1 playoff round in 7 years. ONE. But, sure, let's crown him and give him anything he wants. Can't make this stuff up.

But you nailed it -- these people aren't truly Leafs fans, they're fans of Matthews. It's the only way to justify their reactions. Could you imagine being a Leafs fan and campaigning to overpay a player who has already made 60 million and who could sign a team-friendly deal for 100 million today if he wanted to?

 

[therealkoho]

You could probably get rid of matthews and rebuild

and there it is

the word you're looking for is re-tool with the return you're getting

 

[JKG33]

31 other teams would gladly pay

Cut that number in half and it's closer to the truth

That's what Klingberg thought too.

But you are correct. Ovechkin-lite is a much bigger draw than Karlsson-lite. There will be 31 other teams lined up cash in hand anxious to overpay this guy even more.

The current captain of the team is proof enough of that.

There was what.. 7 teams in on Tavares? A far cry from 31 others

 

[Notsince67]

Matthews is the best Leaf ever and I don't mind paying him as such (IF last year was an outlier and not a sign of a chronic injury).

But I still maintain that because of that, one or both of Marner/Nylander needs to go.

Not because they're bad players. But because they do something I literally NEVER see on any other team. They determine their value NOT on league-wide comparables.... but on their perceived cost/ratio in comparison to Matthews.

That's why we have the entire Nylander thread agreeing thatu Nylander deserves in the high 8's based on league-wide comparables, but 10+ on the leafs if Matthews really signs for around 14.

Notice how none of us say this about players on other teams? "Gee... that's a huge overpayment. But players on that team ignore all league wide comparables, so it makes sense I guess." See how crazy it looks in reverse? To pay Matthews what he wants means that both Marner and Nylander will have to be paid significantly more than their league-wide comparables. And the team just won't be able to win that way.

If Matthews won't sign a team friendly deal, I say give him what he wants and move on from Marner and Nylander. And with that precedent set, sign new players based on league-wide comparables, not their perceived value in relation to Matthews.

Well that has got to be one of the dumbest strategies I've seen and around here, that is saying a lot.
You set up a strawman and then blame the strawman for doing something it has no power to do.
How can people make sense of this barf of a proposition?
At the end of the day, the team decides the value of their players, not the players. You don't tell people to walk just because they think they deserve more.
You give them an offer you weigh the opposing argument and you then stand firm at an acceptable number which might be the same or might be modified.
It really isnt difficult stuff.

 

[therealkoho]

as far as this guy being the greatest/best Leaf ever

Dave Keon had 2 Stanley Cup rings by the time he hit 25

He and Darryl Sittler both could've eaten Matthews lunch and sent him home crying

best goal scorer, yes I'll grant you that, but that does not in any way shape or form make him the "greatest/best Leaf" ever

 

[Dekes For Days]

To pay Matthews what he wants means that both Marner and Nylander will have to be paid significantly more than their league-wide comparables.

No it doesn't.

sign new players based on league-wide comparables, not their perceived value in relation to Matthews.

They're already signing all of their players based on league-wide comparables.

 

[JKG33]

Matthews is in no way, shape, or form, close to the greatest Leaf ever lol. This is silly, recency bias nonsense.

But, yes, if the Leafs pay Matthews what he wants (not what he deserves) then one or both of Marner and Nylander will likely need to go. Then you'll get to see your favorite player skate with lesser talent and continue to lose in the playoffs until he gets frustrated with the constant failure or heat then demands a trade or walks for nothing. Sounds terrific, no?

I agree with you completely about Marner basing his contract off Matthews, which is utterly insane. Marner is worth no more than Matt Tkachuk and he makes 9.5 x 8. Nylander is a little more tricky, but I think he deserves Timo Meier money and it has nothing to do with Matthews or Marner.

The way the Leafs absolutely submit to Matthews and never hold him accountable is rather absurd. And the fans are even worse which is ridiculous.

I would be shocked if he ever gets tired of losing. A quick playoff exit means more time to head home to AZ

 

[Boxscore]

as far as this guy being the greatest/best Leaf ever

Dave Keon had 2 Stanley Cup rings by the time he hit 25

He and Darryl Sittler both could've eaten Matthews lunch and sent him home crying

best goal scorer, yes I'll grant you that, but that does not in any way shape or form make him the "greatest/best Leaf" ever

Agreed. greatest Leaf ever is laughable.

Greatest Leaf goal scorer is more accurate. I have him a hair ahead of Vaive in terms of pure goal scorer, but I have him ahead nonetheless.

In terms of greatest Leaf, he's not close. I might have him in the Top-10 right now and that could be generous. Will he likely get into the Top-5 or so? He should. If he stays in Toronto. But he'll need to keep producing at a high level and start winning a lot in the playoffs.

 

[Clark4Ever]

as far as this guy being the greatest/best Leaf ever

Dave Keon had 2 Stanley Cup rings by the time he hit 25

He and Darryl Sittler both could've eaten Matthews lunch and sent him home crying

best goal scorer, yes I'll grant you that, but that does not in any way shape or form make him the "greatest/best Leaf" ever

If we're looking at fairly recent history of success in the regular season and playoffs, I would say that Gilmour, Clark and Sundin would be ranked ahead of him as well.

 

[Martin Skoula]

If we're looking at fairly recent history of success in the regular season and playoffs, I would say that Gilmour, Clark and Sundin would be ranked ahead of him as well.

I was waiting for Clark > Matthews to pop up. “Clark would totally beat up Matthews!!” Yeah if it was one of the 8 games he was healthy enough to play that year.

 

[Hellcat]

If they're serious about winning, yes.

If they're not serious about winning, then that's a problem both for the character/makeup of the player(s) but most importantly the team's chances at winning.

I don't understand why fans of the team support players trying to maximize ever last dollar at the expense of competitiveness.

Last time I checked we're supposed to be acting like fans of the team, not acting as quasi-player agents.

How do you determine if a player is serious about winning? Is it a look on his face? Is it he is Canadian? How about he blocks shots? Is that a winner? Does he have a Maple Leaf tattoo? McDavid until recently was the highest paid player, had not won a team trophy in the NHL, is he serious about winning? Why is it the players job to do cap management? I thought that was a GM's job? No? What if the Leafs trade a big contract and all of a sudden have ample cap space, is it OK for Nylander and Matty to get what they are asking for then?

Fans who blame players for asking to get paid what market conditions dictate, only to subsidise their happy fan times, boggles my mind. You can win a cup with out Marner, Nylander, Tavares and Matthews, no one is saying the GM cant do his job and build a team that fits under the cap with out one of them.

If you want to keep the band together someone(s) has to take a hair cut, if they all want to be paid 10mil + someone has got to go, pretty simple calculus. To blame either side is silly when both sides are being self serving.

 

[ACC1224]

Matthews is in no way, shape, or form, close to the greatest Leaf ever lol. This is silly, recency bias nonsense.

But, yes, if the Leafs pay Matthews what he wants (not what he deserves) then one or both of Marner and Nylander will likely need to go. Then you'll get to see your favorite player skate with lesser talent and continue to lose in the playoffs until he gets frustrated with the constant failure or heat then demands a trade or walks for nothing. Sounds terrific, no?

I agree with you completely about Marner basing his contract off Matthews, which is utterly insane. Marner is worth no more than Matt Tkachuk and he makes 9.5 x 8. Nylander is a little more tricky, but I think he deserves Timo Meier money and it has nothing to do with Matthews or Marner.

The way the Leafs absolutely submit to Matthews and never hold him accountable is rather absurd. And the fans are even worse which is ridiculous.

He might not even be the best Leaf on the current Team.

 

[Hellcat]

I was waiting for Clark > Matthews to pop up. “Clark would totally beat up Matthews!!” Yeah if it was one of the 8 games he was healthy enough to play that year.

Imagine Clark with that wrister with the sticks we have now? Jesus he'd kill a goalie, shoot the puck right through his chest ...

 

[Hellcat]

Cut that number in half and it's closer to the truth


There was what.. 7 teams in on Tavares? A far cry from 31 others

You think there are 15 teams that wouldn't want Matthews at 13 mil?

He might not even be the best Leaf on the current Team.

Jesus, this guy.