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

[al secord]

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.

They're brutal. That's why Justin Holl and I prefer to be called the Prince Edward County 2

 

[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 a out 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. Matthews owns this te

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.

Pride cometh before the fall.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Maybe we'd be better off signing Matthews to a short-term deal that expires the same year McDavid becomes a UFA. We get to gauge his durability and performance over the next few years before committing long-term, and it keeps our options open in case McDavid is interested in coming home.

 

[Macman]

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

Last night on HNIC.

 

[Menzinger]

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.

Yep. At this point see Shanahan treating it as a must sign, regardless of the conditions.

And I'd agree it won't just be about money. Matthews has lost the GM he seemingly liked working with, and is almost certainly going to lose the coach he likes. He may want assurances for other issues

 

[Macman]

Yep. At this point see Shanahan treating it as a must sign, regardless of the conditions.

And I'd agree it won't just be about money. Matthews has lost the GM he seemingly liked working with, and is almost certainly going to lose the coach he likes. He may want assurances for other issues

He’s not going to want Marner to go either. It’s become a shit show.

 

[thewave]

It won't be only a out 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. Matthews owns this te

Pride cometh before the fall.

The whole thing stinks of being tantamount to collusion or even conspiracy.

NMCs all go active on one date.
Dubas contract is up at the same time. Shares agent with Matthews.
Matthews says wants to be Leaf and wants to get it done ASAP
Dubas makes massive emotional plea about possibly not staying. Makes gangster like 6-7m demand
Dubas fired.
Matthews now apparently will not negotiate before July 1st.

This reads out like some kind of movie ffs. It's insane like hostage level gangster shit.

WTF

 

[Leaf Rocket]

Yep. At this point see Shanahan treating it as a must sign, regardless of the conditions.

And I'd agree it won't just be about money. Matthews has lost the GM he seemingly liked working with, and is almost certainly going to lose the coach he likes. He may want assurances for other issues

The GM and coaching Gone. High chance also Marner being a high bargaining chip to figure out the future. It's going to be a fascinating and also scary upcoming weeks.

Genuinely curiously about what vision they are going to present to him.

 

[Mess]

Getting it done is important. I hope it happens quick as well.

Someone said in the other thread said that Matthews won't negotiation or talk numbers until his NMC kicks in. I don't know if thats true though.

Put yourself in the agent and players shoes.

Why did Matthews ask for a full NMC in the final year so he couldn't be traded without consent and had full control of his next destination be it here or somewhere else?.

With full control also comes full leverage and if the Matthews camp is going to ask for a large raise and extension would you put that on the table prior to your NMC kicking in and almost certainly be dealt away at the draft if deemed unreasonable? Or wait until July 1st and present your final offer to stay, as Leafs offer if it was on the table in June would also be there in early July to sign if that is the route taken.

After July 1st AM camp can ask for the moon and the stars and all MLSE can do it take it or leave it and let him walk away. That is the fallout from the terrible position Dubas left this organization in with its franchise player and not getting the full 8 years and giving all control to the player/agent.

 

[Contenderorpretender]

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.

I think you add the toughness on his wings. He'll grow a few inches of there's a tom Wilson type of player always beside him. With marner beside him neither wants to engage in any way.

 

[thewave]

Put yourself in the agent and players shoes.

Why did Matthews ask for a full NMC in the final year so he couldn't be traded without consent and had full control of his next destination be it here or somewhere else.

With full control also comes full leverage and if the Matthews camp is going to ask for a large raise and extension would you put that on the table prior to your NMC kicking in and almost certainly be dealt away at the draft if deemed unreasonable. Or wait until July 1st and present you final offer to stay, as Leafs offer if it was on the table in June would also be their in early July to sign if that is the route taken.

After July 1st AM camp can ask for the moon and the stars and all MLSE can do it take it or leave it and let him walk away. That is the fallout from the terrible position Dubas left this organization in with its franchise player and not getting the full 8 years and giving all contol to the player/agent.

The whole thing sounds almost conspired. A real deal conspiracy, not theory, a real deal full blown orchestrated situation, a heist.

I am speechless, honestly. I don't even know what to think. It's basically a blow it up bomb. I won't be surprised if the 3 of them are shipped.

The most insane hockey situation/scenario I have ever heard about or read is happening in real time.

 

[thewave]

The GM and coaching Gone. High chance also Marner being a high bargaining chip to figure out the future. It's going to be a fascinating and also scary upcoming weeks.

Genuinely curiously about what vision they are going to present to him.

If Matthews isn't negotiating before July 1st it's a trade. If the other two do the same, it's a trade and we aren't getting top value.

 

[Trapper]

I believe an agreement in principle is allowed. Just not pen to paper prior to July 1.

Shanahan had the new deal for Dubas ready to go.
Same for Matthews. Everything agreed upon or start shopping.

 

[thewave]

Shanahan had the new deal for Dubas ready to go.
Same for Matthews. Everything agreed upon or start shopping.

What do you think about the sudden firing of Dubas and now sudden change of heart with Matthews camp not wanting to negotiate before July 1st. You like that heist?

 

[Leaf Rocket]

If Matthews isn't negotiating before July 1st it's a trade. If the other two do the same, it's a trade and we aren't getting top value.

then we better hope for a GM asap and sell him a proper vision essentially. I also doubt we are going to be trading him. Trading him would be the end of Shanny and he's likely already on thin ice among his bosses.

 

[Trapper]

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 depends how speaking to him goes. If he’s not happy with a new GM, coach or the fact that one of the core might be moved, money might not be the only issue. And in terms of the other things besides money, he doesn’t dictate that.

 

[thewave]

then we better hope for a GM asap and sell him a proper vision essentially. I also doubt we are going to be trading him. Trading him would be the end of Shanny and he's likely already on thin ice among his bosses.

Shanny's guy left a bomb behind for us. How did nobody above see this crap unfolding? Shanny should be fired too tbh.

 

[hockeywiz542]

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.

Last night on HNIC.

Maple Leafs looking for next GM to possess ‘bite’, willingness to make tough choices

2:20 | May 20, 2023

Elliotte Friedman discusses the latest news surrounding the Maple Leafs GM search, how the Dubas extension ultimately crumbled, and how other teams are responding following the news.

 

[Trapper]

What do you think about the sudden firing of Dubas and now sudden change of heart with Matthews camp not wanting to negotiate before July 1st. You like that heist?

Not to mention what happens if we move Marner?

 

[thewave]

Maple Leafs looking for next GM to possess ‘bite’, willingness to make tough choices

2:20 | May 20, 2023

Elliotte Friedman discusses the latest news surrounding the Maple Leafs GM search, how the Dubas extension ultimately crumbled, and how other teams are responding following the news.

You notice the laugh, Friedman knows it's a total shitshow.

 

[Budz]

If Matthews isn't negotiating before July 1st it's a trade. If the other two do the same, it's a trade and we aren't getting top value.

Simply not true.

Any of those contracts with retention, will generate an absolute haul.

I’m good with a full blow it up now. f*** Matthews.

 

[Notsince67]

The whole thing sounds almost conspired. A real deal conspiracy, not theory, a real deal full blown orchestrated situation, a heist.

I am speechless, honestly. I don't even know what to think. It's basically a blow it up bomb. I won't be surprised if the 3 of them are shipped.

Shanny isn't suicidal. Brinkmanship always gets you to a spot of mutually assured destruction.
He could have exercised soft power. "Dubas...this is your contract and I want you to trade x and fire Keefe. This is the offer....take it or leave it."
Dubas pulls the trigger and doesn't sign...you now have a better situation with the players. Dubas would never go public with the demands if he ever wanted to work again.
Instead Shanny decided to flex. Now the stakes are higher for the players. He is the cause of their loss and they need to be compensated for it.
Good book is called "By way of deception"
It is a memoire of a former mosaid agent. He submitted that the execution of power is never the best choice because it often leads to an event that is not optimal to your goals. Influencing through the threat of power or soft influence gets you far better results.
Shanny made a huge tactical error, whether you like the decision or not

 

[IPS]

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.

Matthews is definitely a little pouty nowadays now that his ticket to his giant retirement contract got fired from the Leafs.

Dude lost BANK when Dubas got fired

 

[Petrus]

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.

That’s not what Friedman said.

I listened to his 32 thoughts.

He said, given the uncertainty, the team has to be “prepared for the possibility” that Matthews won’t make a decision before July
1st.

The only complication is whether Matthews wants to stay without the Dubas.

That’s all he said. It doesn’t take a some insider info that is a possibility.

 

[Menzinger]

It depends how speaking to him goes. If he’s not happy with a new GM, coach or the fact that one of the core might be moved, money might not be the only issue. And in terms of the other things besides money, he doesn’t dictate that.

He doesn't technically get to dictate it, but a franchise player is going to want to have a say. Or at least be given more of an explanation about the direction of the team than the average depth player is during a contract negotiation.

Personally, I don't think Shanny would survive long in his current job if he has to go ask the board to trade Matthews unless he can genuinely show he had no other option to take

Find out in a few weeks one way or the other if I'm right