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

[ULF_55]

I meant it as a possible "threat" if the Leafs tried to trade him somewhere undesirable before July 1.

i.e. If he gets a sniff of a trade, he may leak that he's considering surgery.

Why do you say "tried to trade him"?

They can trade him anytime they want until July 1st.

 

[ULF_55]

I think what people need to keep in mind to try and keep some sanity is that in theory players dont get paid for playoffs.. so in that theory they negotiate for regular season play

It doesnt work like that.. but.. keep repeating it.. it helps a bit

What regular season Cap does is eliminate adding players who are better in the playoffs.

So, while they don't get paid in the playoffs, their Cap cost impact carries over into the playoffs.

Of course, you can cheat the cap by LTIRing healthy players into the post-season.

 

[andora]

What regular season Cap does is eliminate adding players who are better in the playoffs.

So, while they don't get paid in the playoffs, their Cap cost impact carries over into the playoffs.

Of course, you can cheat the cap by LTIRing healthy players into the post-season.

well some do

 

[Zur En Arrh]

McDavid committed to the Oilers for 8(!) years when that team was going nowhere. They were a joke.

The Leafs made the playoffs every year of Matthews’ ELC and surrounded him with other young talent. They even signed one of the biggest free agents ever during his ELC. He still only committed for 5-years.

The 5-years could just be him wanting to maximize his career earnings but I can’t stand this talk about him not wanting to commit because he’s not “comfortable” with the plan. It’s been 7 years you know exactly what the Leafs are about and what the plan is. No matter who the GM is the goal is unchanged. They are chasing the Stanley Cup.

to be fair mcdavid didn't know he could say no. The standard then was bridge or 8 years. I guarantee after Matthews signed he regretted comitting. He had already gifted drai a Hart and Pearson, win a few himself. He could of signed five years and be here (where he's always wanted to be) by now.

Matthews literally broke the mold.

 

[baton elevated]

Obviously this whole situation is not cut and dried. AM's camp is also playing with fire. There are no certainties in life and a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush all day long. For example let's say AM gives the leafs a 4-5 year deal so he can cash in big in his early 30's, that would be ludicrous. He may be injured (pretty likely with his history) or have diminishing skills. He would never get his big payday at that point.

AM can have an 8 year guaranteed income right now at a reasonable ($13-$14M) salary, not one I am advocating for but whatever. His camp would be nuts to reject it.

I'm fine with trading him as I feel he isn't the type of player (for me) you tie all your horses to. Great skill, no doubt but he is too noncombative or enough I want to win at all cost. Even Crosby has more pushback and many smaller players do. His injury history is also worrisome.

Tough decision for both sides to make. I don't like giving any player such a long term deal unless it is a truly elite player (Gretz, Mario, Orr, McD) AM is not them.
Pasta gave the Bruins a reasonable deal, Drais did as well, Mac, etc. Why is it always the Leafs that get raked over the coals with greedy players. Some would argue AM is not better than these players but will command more money and so will MM.
Kraken have gone further in two years with no star players than this sad bunch.
Give me heart and soul players all day long, they may not win but the effort will always be there and that's something to cheer for. This lot doesn't win and it only leaves you bitter and resentful because they chased the $.

 

[4thline]

to be fair mcdavid didn't know he could say no. The standard then was bridge or 8 years.

Matthews literally broke the mold.

Crosby/Malkin/Toews/Kane/Stamkos say hi.

There was a couple years where the back diving deals distorted things and the top picks kind of flopped and had to take less, but Matthews contract was more in line with cap era star level 2nd contracts than McDavid. McDavid's only comparable was Crosby was he chose to gift the Oilers a better contract.

 

[egd27]

Why do you say "tried to trade him"?

They can trade him anytime they want until July 1st.

Understood, but the "receiving" team would need to know if they were getting one year or are able to sign him post July 1 before agreeing on a return package to the Leafs. If it's only for one NMC year, the return is going to be significantly less than it would be if they knew he's willing to commit long term.

And "technically" they would not be allowed to speak with him or his agent.

 

[Peace Frog]

So many Leafs fans think it’s crazy to even think of trading Matthews. I think it’s insane not only to consider it, but to not trade him!

He’s not going to sign before July 1st, even if he plans on staying in Toronto. As we all know, he’ll have a full NMC starting that very day.

He wants to see how things play out with the hiring of a new GM, probably a new coach, and new player personnel. You better pray that he’s happy with ALL of those changes!

And if he actually does sign an extension, he’s going to have ABSOLUTE power over the “negotiations”. Negotiations??? Lol. What negotiations? He’s going to tell them how much and how long…. period!

No…. hell no! The team cannot, under no circumstances, put themselves in that position. They HAVE to trade him before July 1st, or they’ll be held hostage by AM34.

If we don’t trade him, I hope you’re fine with letting him walk for nothing next summer.

 

[andora]

So many Leafs fans think it’s crazy to even think of trading Matthews. I think it’s insane not only to consider it, but to not trade him!

He’s not going to sign before July 1st, even if he plans on staying in Toronto. As we all know, he’ll have a full NMC starting that very day.

He wants to see how things play out with the hiring of a new GM, probably a new coach, and new player personnel. You better pray that he’s happy with ALL of those changes!

And if he actually does sign an extension, he’s going to have ABSOLUTE power over the “negotiations”. Negotiations??? Lol. What negotiations? He’s going to tell them how much and how long…. period!

No…. hell no! The team cannot, under no circumstances, put themselves in that position. They HAVE to trade him before July 1st, or they’ll be held hostage by AM34.

If we don’t trade him, I hope you’re fine with letting him walk for nothing next summer.

That is what it is.. i mean it boils down to

1. Trafe me to a team i want to go to and they will pay me
2. I have control which gets me closer to my asking price than if i negotiated early

 

[MCR74]

Obviously this whole situation is not cut and dried. AM's camp is also playing with fire. There are no certainties in life and a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush all day long. For example let's say AM gives the leafs a 4-5 year deal so he can cash in big in his early 30's, that would be ludicrous. He may be injured (pretty likely with his history) or have diminishing skills. He would never get his big payday at that point.

AM can have an 8 year guaranteed income right now at a reasonable ($13-$14M) salary, not one I am advocating for but whatever. His camp would be nuts to reject it.

I'm fine with trading him as I feel he isn't the type of player (for me) you tie all your horses to. Great skill, no doubt but he is too noncombative or enough I want to win at all cost. Even Crosby has more pushback and many smaller players do. His injury history is also worrisome.

Tough decision for both sides to make. I don't like giving any player such a long term deal unless it is a truly elite player (Gretz, Mario, Orr, McD) AM is not them.
Pasta gave the Bruins a reasonable deal, Drais did as well, Mac, etc. Why is it always the Leafs that get raked over the coals with greedy players. Some would argue AM is not better than these players but will command more money and so will MM.
Kraken have gone further in two years with no star players than this sad bunch.
Give me heart and soul players all day long, they may not win but the effort will always be there and that's something to cheer for. This lot doesn't win and it only leaves you bitter and resentful because they chased the $.

l'm hoping the next GM will pull the reigns on their contracts. The Leafs can't ice a competitive team with Matthews and Marner signing for top dollar.

 

[myleafs]

it's not like Shanny is there crapping his pants saying oh no, I better get a guy hired soon as possible so this new/unproven GM guy can take care of the most important Leaf signing in history...lol


so no rush in getting a new GM hired, he's not going to have much if any input on this

I mean...isnt this what happened when he hired Dubas?

 

[myleafs]

If he doesn’t want to be here. Why would he block a trade somewhere he wants to go?

How long do ufa get to be comfortable with a plan?
Minutes? Hours?

He said it was important to him to get a contract done this summer.

If he wants to be in LA…. Why would he want to come back face this disaster all year. Become a villain in the biggest hockey market and lose a potential 8th year.

If he wants to leave…. Leave now.

Did he say that? I could be wrong but I thought I heard him say more of "its my intention to stay with the leafs" and" things will get done in due time" I may be mistaken?

 

[mikeyz]

At least now all the posters that refused to acknowledge that 34 could screw the Leafs over can can save face by blaming it on the loss of the Boy Wonder if he does.

Ohhhhhh you know 100% that that’s going to be their next excuse If Matthews leaves. And they’ll also conveniently ignore the point that Dubas not only paid him a shit ton, but, gave him as little term as possible. All this and Matthews had ZERO leverage during those negotiations.

The excuses with the pro Dubas crowd on here NEVER ends!!

 

[myleafs]

Pretty sure if he needed wrist surgery that he would have had it by now. Only other reason I can see for a delay in that is if they want to rest it first and see if that works.

Is there even any proof about wrist issues or is this just purely speculation?

I think its more speculation just based on wondering where did his lethal shot go? His patented toe drag wrist shot has been awol for a while now.

 

[Menzinger]

Pretty sure if he needed wrist surgery that he would have had it by now. Only other reason I can see for a delay in that is if they want to rest it first and see if that works.

Is there even any proof about wrist issues or is this just purely speculation?

He was wearing a wrist brace (or tape) during the last couple games of the Panthers series. You could see it visibly a couple times during the broadcast and also during the handshakes line

 

[myleafs]

15x8 for matthews, yes or no?

 

[myleafs]

So many Leafs fans think it’s crazy to even think of trading Matthews. I think it’s insane not only to consider it, but to not trade him!

He’s not going to sign before July 1st, even if he plans on staying in Toronto. As we all know, he’ll have a full NMC starting that very day.

He wants to see how things play out with the hiring of a new GM, probably a new coach, and new player personnel. You better pray that he’s happy with ALL of those changes!

And if he actually does sign an extension, he’s going to have ABSOLUTE power over the “negotiations”. Negotiations??? Lol. What negotiations? He’s going to tell them how much and how long…. period!

No…. hell no! The team cannot, under no circumstances, put themselves in that position. They HAVE to trade him before July 1st, or they’ll be held hostage by AM34.

If we don’t trade him, I hope you’re fine with letting him walk for nothing next summer.

Not ideal but you take the cap space and move on. I dont think he will put himself in that kind of situation though. The pressures would be crazy if he starts the season without a contract.

 

[Legion34]

Did he say that? I could be wrong but I thought I heard him say more of "its my intention to stay with the leafs" and" things will get done in due time" I may be mistaken?

As part of it he said that it is k important to him to get a contract done before the season starts. He doesn’t want to drag it out

 

[WillyC]

That first NHL game… it’s almost painful to watch how Auston scored those 4 goals.

If only he played like that in the playoffs.

 

[Peace Frog]

That is what it is.. i mean it boils down to

1. Trafe me to a team i want to go to and they will pay me
2. I have control which gets me closer to my asking price than if i negotiated early

But it doesn’t really boil down to that. You’re assuming that he would be willing to allow a trade. Unless you’re talking about trading him before July 1st.

If the Leafs were to trade him before July 1st, then they wouldn’t be limited to just what teams he wants to go to. Although, if he were to be accommodated, then we would get much more value back.

 

[Peace Frog]

l'm hoping the next GM will pull the reigns on their contracts. The Leafs can't ice a competitive team with Matthews and Marner signing for top dollar.

How is the new GM going to be able to “pull the reigns on their contracts”? Neither player is going to sign before their NMC kicks in. After that, they’ll have all the power and control. Look at the contracts they got when they had almost no control!

 

[egd27]

That first NHL game… it’s almost painful to watch how Auston scored those 4 goals.

If only he played like that in the playoffs.

They lost that game

 

[WillyC]

They lost that game

Not because of Matthews.

 

[Stephen]

Did he say that? I could be wrong but I thought I heard him say more of "its my intention to stay with the leafs" and" things will get done in due time" I may be mistaken?

You can never be sure, but I always find it odd that a lot of Leafs fans seem to be looking for treachery from Auston Matthews. Like he's Kawhi meets Tavares.

 

[andora]

But it doesn’t really boil down to that. You’re assuming that he would be willing to allow a trade. Unless you’re talking about trading him before July 1st.

If the Leafs were to trade him before July 1st, then they wouldn’t be limited to just what teams he wants to go to. Although, if he were to be accommodated, then we would get much more value back.

I would be 99% sure he would work with the leafs on a trade in that scenario