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

[yubbers]

MLSE are absolute morons. Auston Matthews is worth hundreds of millions to a franchises value. He has a chance to go down as the best goal scorer ever. And they've screwed up our relationship with him by canning the GM over petty reasons.

They screwed over our AM years by signing that rookie GM. Many of us warned y'all.

Petty reasons? Dubas had an extension ready to sign. He chose to hold out and see how the playoffs played out to get some extra dough. It didn't of course.....and then he does a presser saying he's not sure if he wants to be GM....and follows that up with asking for way more cash.

You just got to see what is exactly wrong with this team. Kyle has always been about the money.

Is there any confirmation that Matthews and Nylander have been to Muskoka?

Good point. Too many bugs getting in their hair.

 

[yubbers]

I really don’t understand why would it matters to AM if he doesn’t know the new GM?

Whoever is the new GM and coach won’t ask him to play as a Dman or goalie. He is still going to ask him to be their 1C, unless the new GM can trade for Mack or McD. He is still going to be the focus on the PP. The team is still here. It is true that some of the guys like MM or Willie or JT won’t be here next season but they are traded to make the team more competitive for the Cup.
The Leafs is not going to rebuild on purpose in AM next contract at least that’s not the plan.

That’s why I don’t understand what changed between last Sat and now.

Dubas or not, the team will make changes bc they failed again in the playoffs. If AM is so naive to the point that he thought as long as Dubas is here, everyone will be back, he really should not be leading the Leafs.

You can't do a presser saying you have doubts about returning as GM and then go "Ok fine..I'll take one of the most coveted jobs in hockey. But I need ore money cause muh families' GTFO. You just showed us why this team can't finish anything.

 

[Menzinger]

Matthews walking after Shanny/ownership fired Dubas would've a PR disaster for them. And I doubt they're going to want the interim GM handling any major franchise decisions.

He's going to get whatever he wants, and the Leafs will pay it happily to keep him.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Johnston: Kyle Dubas’ departure will delay any contract talks with Auston Matthews

Kyle Dubas is out as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. What...

theleafsnation.com

In a television appearance alongside Mark Masters on Friday afternoon, TSN hockey insider Chris Johnston said he expects potential decisions and contract negotiations with star centre Auston Matthews to be pushed back by Dubas’ departure.

Here’s the transcript of what Masters and Johnston had to say:

Mark Masters: This is such a big summer for the team. Auston Matthews, one of the best players in franchise history, can sign an extension July 1. On Monday, he spoke glowingly about Dubas, said he has a great relationship with him. Where does this leave Auston Matthews?

Chris Johnston: So much of this offseason is about timelines, right? With Auston Matthews, the big timeline has always been, could they sign him right on July 1, when he’s allowed to agree to that contract? I think now, by pushing this out — we don’t know when the Leafs will get a new GM — you’re basically just pushing back any decisions that Auston Matthews is going to make because, obviously, he and his side have to sit back and see what the Leafs’ front office looks like, what their vision is, what their plan is. Do they bring in a new head coach? Do they return with Sheldon Keefe? I mean, they would have the same questions that you and I have, standing here now. And before he commits into the future, his time here — and obviously even the person on the other side, the GM that comes in, has to want to sign him to the deal that Auston Matthews wants. So, what I think this does, ultimately, is it’s going to push back, by who knows how long, the decision for Auston Matthews. I’d be surprised if we’re coming back here on July 1 with a new contract in hand for him because I think there’s so much dust left to be settled.

Matthews, 25, is signed at an $11.64 million cap hit through the end of the 2023–24 season, at which time he’ll be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.

 

[Squiffy]

I got Lake Huron covered for us this weekend. Have to give me a couple weeks on the Muskoka watch, the wife doesn’t like black fly season.

 

[KMNRB]

I have never heard of a player wanting to change teams because of a GM, so that narrative seems extremely stupid to me.

Interim GM or new GM will tell Matthews we're going to try to stay competitive every single year you're here, what kind of $$ / term are you thinking?

If it's too high, you try to negotiate, if you fail, you trade him at the draft and turn the page.

Matthews has come up short in the playoffs more often than not, I don't mind starting over and 8 years on him with wrist / hand problems he's had to date? Could be a disaster.

Unless this GM hands out blank cheque like no one else does in the business.

I'd also prefer starting over than giving him anything more than what MacKinnon is making.

 

[Squiffy]

What the hell do we care what MacK is making?

 

[Apex Predator]

What the hell do we care what MacK is making?

He resigned the most recently and he is the comparable bar.

 

[Gabriel426]

You can't do a presser saying you have doubts about returning as GM and then go "Ok fine..I'll take one of the most coveted jobs in hockey. But I need ore money cause muh families' GTFO. You just showed us why this team can't finish anything.

What’s interesting is that apparently, Dubas was in coaches and executives meeting on Wed

 

[yubbers]

What’s interesting is that apparently, Dubas was in coaches and executives meeting on Wed

where you hear that?

 

[Zero1]

It’s very simple. Do you want to be a Leaf or not?

As a Leaf you get the biggest market, the biggest spotlight, more endorsement deals than any other team, the biggest fan base, and the very best facilities/equipment/support personnel.

On top of all this the Leafs are a playoff contender every year.

If that’s not enough for you then goodbye.

 

[Squiffy]

MacK Was the last top 5-10 player to sign and got the highest. AM’s contract, in a box, or with a fox, here, there, anywhere, will be the next highest.

Fine, it sets the bar for what to exceed, it does do that. But MacK’s contract and value to CA isn’t hugely relevant, if it was someone else at the highest it would be the same discussion. AM will set the next bar. Hopefully here, hopefully less then 14.

 

[Gabriel426]

where you hear that?

Read on Friedman or CJ

 

[TorontoTrades]

I think you have to go to him and say look MacKinnon just got 12.6 million. We'll match it. You're a top paid in the league and we build around you. What's the point of grinding us down at 13.5 just to make the team worse? It's 7 million on an 8 year deal on a deal over 100 mill. It's a win win deal for both sides. Matthews gets his bag and the team gets a long term deal at a market value deal.

 

[CanadasTeam]

I personally don't care whether he stays or not. He's so soft it's almost embarrassing, we need a real stud that plays a heavier game and won't disappear when it really matters.

 

[Gabriel426]

The truth is that if AM signs for 13mil, that’s less than 1.4mil increase from his current cap.
The increase is not much but man, compare to Pastra or Mack, it is not really the greatest of number. Let’s just hope he lives up to it

 

[Macman]

I would hope Shanahan is already talking to other teams about Matthews because he has to be either signed by July 1st or dealt, it‘s a simple as that.

 

[Doublerum1975]

This guy doesn’t deserve a raise if you pay him 13 million you are crazy

 

[facelessjoe1990]

Friedman said that Matthews won't negotiate until July 1st. If he won't even talk before July than we should trade him before the draft.

 

[thewave]

Friedman said that Matthews won't negotiate until July 1st. If he won't even talk before July than we should trade him before the draft.

When did he say that? If it's true we pretty much have to trade him.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Feels like a huge unforced error to bring such instability to the franchise immediately before the most important re-signing attempt in decades.

I always said they would have to be stupid to fire Dubas before Matthews extends and here we are, in a state of stupidity.

 

[facelessjoe1990]

Feels like a huge unforced error to bring such instability to the franchise immediately before the most important re-signing attempt in decades.

I always said they would have to be stupid to fire Dubas before Matthews extends and here we are, in a state of stupidity.

I believe Shanny tried to extend him in March but Dubas said no. I think it's Dubas fault.

 

[al secord]

All that happens. There is also no world in which there hasn’t already been some talk between AM camp and Leafs, a general idea of what is up, and the likes of Shanny and Pridham not aware of it. Like, Shanny at no point asked Duby, bud, what’s going on with AM, what’s you’re feeling, what’s the talks been like?

Us acting as if the only things that have happened are what Elliot et all have reported is absurd. The panic level here is silly.

Me, I see no world in which the Leafs don’t lock him up. Maybe that takes some time, sure. I don’t expect an announcement July 1, sure as hell don’t expect a trade, and am not worried.

It's comical, really. The reactions around here make me belly laugh.

 

[GoonieFace]

Feels like a huge unforced error to bring such instability to the franchise immediately before the most important re-signing attempt in decades.

I always said they would have to be stupid to fire Dubas before Matthews extends and here we are, in a state of stupidity.

Yeah why fire Dubas? He would have handed an undeserving Matthews the biggest contract in the NHL further handcuffing this team. I hope whoever they hire to replace him has some common sense

 

[Notsince67]

Matthews walking after Shanny/ownership fired Dubas would've a PR disaster for them. And I doubt they're going to want the interim GM handling any major franchise decisions.

He's going to get whatever he wants, and the Leafs will pay it happily to keep him.

It won't be only about money. It will also be about player personnel. If he states he wants Marner and Willy on the team, what does the team do? I bet they keep him. Losing Matthews is a career ender for Shanny...no doubt in my mind...especially after he said he wants to stay.