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

[1specter]

I was under the impression that Treliving and Matthews agent hadn't met yet?

Even if that's the case, not sure how that goes against my point. Agents still talk and are connected to media and can give out ballpark numbers from their end.

 

[1specter]

This is such a weird sentiment. What the hell does Damon Severson have to do with Auston Matthews? Like stick to MacKinnon comparisons that are actually make sense. Why should anyone feel nauseous because a decent defenseman got signed until he's 37.

It's nauseating because we've been told by media members since 2019 that these shorter term higher AAV deals are going to be the 'new norm' and yet we're still seeing every team lock up their elite talents to max term deals except the Leafs. This is literally the only team that can't seem to get it's young elite players to lock in long term, or do a proper bridge deal either, and instead hands out these weirdo 5 and 6 year deals. Sure Severson may not be in the same realm but Pastrnak, MacK, Caufield, both Tkachuk brothers JUST signed 8 year deals.

 

[Gabriel426]

If he is signed for 3 yrs or even 5 yrs. BT is just as bad as Dubas.

 

[TheDoldrums]

It's nauseating because we've been told by media members since 2019 that these shorter term higher AAV deals are going to be the 'new norm' and yet we're still seeing every team lock up their elite talents to max term deals except the Leafs. This is literally the only team that can't seem to get it's young elite players to lock in long term, or do a proper bridge deal either, and instead hands out these weirdo 5 and 6 year deals. Sure Severson may not be in the same realm but Pastrnak, MacK, Caufield, both Tkachuk brothers JUST signed 8 year deals.

start by realizing that Severson, Caufield and Brady Tkachuk are not "elite talents" in the same vein as Pastrnak, MacKinnon or Matthews. Like I said, I'm fine with comparing his lack of term to guys like MacKinnon. It's tiring when anytime any player signs regardless of their talent/age/position it's somehow about Auston Matthews

 

[1specter]

start by realizing that Severson, Caufield and Brady Tkachuk are not "elite talents" in the same vein as Pastrnak, MacKinnon or Matthews. Like I said, I'm fine with comparing his lack of term to guys like MacKinnon.

I already said Severson wasn't in the same realm.

Ok, and what about Matthew Tkachuk who you left out and just had a higher points season than Matthews' MVP year? Brady is outperforming his brother Matthew at the same age and arguably on a crappier team too, Calgary was a playoff team for most of Matthew's years. Caufield hasn't played a lot, but he looks like an elite goal scorer already and even had a higher GPG than Auston Matthews this season on an absolute dogshit team. These teams are all locking these guys in at max term through their primes.

 

[therealkoho]

Because it wouldn’t just be an nice easy round. It would be the media up his ass about the contract extension all day. Also maybe he doesn’t really love golf like that lol. Also you’d have people all over Twitter getting on him about playing in the pro am instead of being on the ice training lol. So there’s really no benefit to going.

So what your saying is he's a guy who eschews the spotlight, Toronto definitely ain't the place for him then. Move him at the draft.

 

[TheDoldrums]

I already said Severson wasn't in the same realm.

Ok, and what about Matthew Tkachuk who you left out and just had a higher points season than Matthews' MVP year? Brady is outperforming his brother Matthew at the same age and arguably on a crappier team too, Calgary was a playoff team for most of Matthew's years. Caufield hasn't played a lot, but he looks like an elite goal scorer already and even had a higher GPG than Auston Matthews this season on an absolute dogshit team. These teams are all locking these guys in at max term through their primes.

Brady is not outperforming Matthew. "Playoff team" doesn't mean you automatically score more lol. Ottawa has played a run and gun system, scoring has gone up overall, Calgary had a defensive minded coach, etc. Brady is not on Matthews level overall.

yeah part of the reason Montreal is dogshit is because their best players are trash defensively so sorry, I'm not wishing we could swap places there either.

a 5 year contract for Matthews would lock him in through all his prime years

A 3 year term is too short for me but 5 years? Taking him right where most players fall off a cliff? That would be great! Please reconsider if you're upset because this oft-injured player doesn't want us to commit to his decline years.

 

[francis246]

So what your saying is he's a guy who eschews the spotlight, Toronto definitely ain't the place for him then. Move him at the draft.

No I’m saying he’s a guy who probably doesn’t give two shits about Golf. If it’s not something that’s interesting to him. When have you ever seen Matthews posting himself playing golf rounds? I think once with Freddy Andersen.

I find it weird that there are grown men and maybe women on here that obsess and over analyze every little decision and action an athlete does. Not doing some doesn’t make them a bitch or afraid of the spotlight. It doesn’t make them a bad person. Maybe he has other things he’d rather do and that’s just fine.

 

[therealkoho]

Probably has other commitments.

The date and location for the open was set over 18 months ago

 

[hockeywiz542]

Dreger on Panthers beating the Golden Knights in OT, Leafs hiring Doan and Bunting's free agency - TSN.ca

TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger joins us to chat about the Panthers beating the Golden Knights in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, Matthew Tkachuk coming back from a big hit to tie the game, Auston Matthews being committed to signing an extension with the Leafs and more.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Good smart team wanted no part of Severson until he's 37 but that doesn't stop people here from getting upset by simply the idea of someone signing for 8 years lol

 

[1specter]

Brady is not outperforming Matthew. "Playoff team" doesn't mean you automatically score more lol. Ottawa has played a run and gun system, scoring has gone up overall, Calgary had a defensive minded coach, etc. Brady is not on Matthews level overall.

I said at the same age, which he absolutely is. Look at Matthew's age 22-23 season compared to Brady. That was before Sutter joined, Matthew actually exploded AFTER Darryl Sutter. The run and gun stuff aside, Brady is a unicorn of a player himself just like Matthew where he brings that edge that teams will also pay a premium for.

yeah part of the reason Montreal is dogshit is because their best players are trash defensively so sorry, I'm not wishing we could swap places there either.

Ok, now you're just arguing something else. Never said I want to 'swap places' with Montreal. Pull back on the strawmen

I don't want a 3 year term but 5 years? Taking him right where most players fall off a cliff? That would be great! Why would you be upset we're not locked into the decline phase?

If Matthews is as elite and generational as you say he is, he should still have many good years after age 30. Crosby and Malkin have remained PPG level well into their 30s, Ovechkin is still one of the game's greatest goal scorers and won his first and only Cup at 32. A 3-4 year term is absolute shit and even 5 is garbage because he'll likely still be a very good player and we may have to walk away from him if he's chasing another retirement bag, cause then he'll probably want to lock in for more term and you'll get into his late 30s which will actually be a problem.

 

[therealkoho]

If Matthews were willing to ink an 8 year $14M aav deal on July 1st, would you jump at that deal (my first impulse) or be suspicious why it was that easy (I may be damaged beyond repair)?

Nope, don't really want him at any more than he's making now. I'm of the belief that he hadn't earned that rich of a contract in the first place. Yeah sure Hart 60 goals blah blah blah but up until then he was a bona fide 40 goal guy, and they should not be paid like that, regardless of what Tavares got as the biggest UFA since Brad Richard's.

Funny how the Richard's contract ended up being viewed just like the Tavares contract is now viewed.

Matthews just isn't like McDavid in any respect really and so should never be paid more under any circumstance. If someone wants to pay him more let Phoenix, LA or Nashville do it.

Saros Johanson and a 1st, possibly?

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Brady is not outperforming Matthew. "Playoff team" doesn't mean you automatically score more lol. Ottawa has played a run and gun system, scoring has gone up overall, Calgary had a defensive minded coach, etc. Brady is not on Matthews level overall.

yeah part of the reason Montreal is dogshit is because their best players are trash defensively so sorry, I'm not wishing we could swap places there either.

a 5 year contract for Matthews would lock him in through all his prime years

A 3 year term is too short for me but 5 years? Taking him right where most players fall off a cliff? That would be great! Please reconsider if you're upset because this oft-injured player doesn't want us to commit to his decline years.

I think getting Matthews to commit for the full 8 years is partly symbolic in that....they aren't going to fight for every piece along the way. Also while that chart you posted is relevant the elite players don't age into their 30's like your average joe 2nd line winger. Signing Matthews into his mid 30's is a relatively low risk contract. This really should be a straight forward contract negotiation....should being the key word. It probably won't be because our players are just above using market comparables when it comes to their contracts lol

 

[rojac]

start by realizing that Severson, Caufield and Brady Tkachuk are not "elite talents" in the same vein as Pastrnak, MacKinnon or Matthews. Like I said, I'm fine with comparing his lack of term to guys like MacKinnon. It's tiring when anytime any player signs regardless of their talent/age/position it's somehow about Auston Matthews

Pay less attention to hockey media.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

If he is signed for 3 yrs or even 5 yrs. BT is just as bad as Dubas.

I don't know if I want em for 8.
How long has he been here? Maybe he's the problem.

 

[therealkoho]

Can you imagine going to a pro-am golf tournament and getting relentlessly hounded for a statement about your personal finances?

You mean like LIV/PGA

 

[TheDoldrums]

Ok, now you're just arguing something else. Never said I want to 'swap places' with Montreal. Pull back on the strawmen

I mean it comes down to the fact that I'd rather have a difficult negotiation with a Hart trophy calibre player than an easy time signing a merely good player. I just could not care less about what players who aren't even top 50 forwards are signing for as if it has any impact on Matthews. And I find all the comments with a "that could be us" vibe about bad teams and flawed players extremely moronic.

 

[therealkoho]

No I’m saying he’s a guy who probably doesn’t give two shits about Golf. If it’s not something that’s interesting to him. When have you ever seen Matthews posting himself playing golf rounds? I think once with Freddy Andersen.

I find it weird that there are grown men and maybe women on here that obsess and over analyze every little decision and action an athlete does. Not doing some doesn’t make them a bitch or afraid of the spotlight. It doesn’t make them a bad person. Maybe he has other things he’d rather do and that’s just fine.

And yet here you are

S'all good man

 

[Sypher04]

Meh it’s not that big of a deal. I think it has more to do with him not loving golf like that. Don’t think he’s heavily interested in it and that’s okay. Why does everything have to be an issue for people on here?

He doesn’t want to play in the pro am, who gives a flying f***? Should be a total non story.

Great question. For all we know he had a prior commitment. People need to give it a rest

 

[francis246]

And yet here you are

S'all good man

yeah I'm here to talk hockey and about the leafs, not cry about Matthews not wanting to play in a pro am LOL. I think most rational fans understand that his decision to not play in a pro-am has little to no bearing on how he feels about Toronto as a city or the Maple Leafs organization.

 

[Sypher04]

But how much MORE has he really earned? I'm perfectly fine if he's willing to do what MacKinnon did, but not okay if he's looking for any more than that. It might be different if he had won a Cup, but even then, and I am repeating myself, look at what MacKinnon did.

Of course there is a limit to how much more he makes over others, but at this point in time we have nothing but baseless speculation fueling the numbers people are up in arms about.

 

[francis246]

Great question. For all we know he had a prior commitment. People need to give it a rest

Agreed, it just gets annoying after a while. They complain about the fact that he's friends with Bieber, that he wears Jordan's with his suits, he doesn't want to play golf. None of that matters really. Auston and any other athlete is free to do whatever they please, just help our team win. Doesn't matter what you do in your free time.

 

[Trapper]

I don't know if I want em for 8.
How long has he been here? Maybe he's the problem.

He has been here 7 years.
A 5 year contract is plenty.
12.5-12.7 is plenty.
If we haven’t made any progress in 12 years, so long.

 

[justashadowof]

Maybe this could make us feel better about the lofty number Matthews is going to get.

A long term contract at this moment in NHL history is in all likelihood a "buy low" scenario. Through circumstances the salary cap has risen a paltry $2M in 5 seasons now ($81.5M in 2018-19 to $83.5M in 2023-24). That's a 2.4% increase over the 5 years. Other than between the seasons of 2008-09 and 2009-10 (housing bubble burst), there hadn't been less than a single season increase of less than 2.2%.

Since the salary cap was instituted, the salary cap has gone from $39M to $83.5M over 18 seasons. That's an average increase of 4.32% per season.

Let's take that 2.2% number as some floor percentage of increase. A 8 year $14Maav given to Matthews this summer would be 16.77% of the current cap. In 5 years with an average increase of 2.2%, the aav is now 15.04% of the cap. In 8 years it would be 14.09% (almost his current cap hit %: 13.94%).

Next, the average yearly increase percentage (4.32%): In 5 years with an average increase of 4.32%, the aav becomes 13.57% of the cap in 5 years, 11.95% in 8 years. 11.95% of the current cap is equivalent to almost exactly $10M aav (Jack Eichel money).

But a more optimistic financial future would be the salary cap trending up at the rate before hitting this 5 year plateau. In its first 13 seasons, the cap grew at an average rate of around 5.8% per season. If the cap managed to grow at a rate like that $14aav contract would be 12.65% of the cap in 5 years, 10.68% of the cap in 8 years (roughly equivalent to $8.9M aav in 2023).