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

[horner]

D we really want him for 8 years with his wonky wrists. If we have not won with him in the next 5 year we probably are not going to win with this group

I agree
He was using his one timer more than his vanted wrist shot .
His wrist isn't better and will be a problem in the future.
Short term is better for us

 

[horner]

Matthews was runner up for the Hart and Lindsay trophy two years in a row and scored 60 goals in 73 games, stretch of 51 goals in 50 games all while being a well above average defensive center. In the real world that counts for something and he's going to be getting anywhere between 13 and 14.5 million. 13 would be nice but I still think he signs for 14 million whether we like it or not.

And that won't happen again.
Chronic wrist issue
Trade him if that is what he wants.

 

[horner]

They recently reported how the team is disjointed from a bottom 6 perspective in that they don't have an identity etc. Could it be that those lower rung players look at their pay checks and think "I could have been making a bit more if not for those pricks that already make loads of money and left nothing for us." That is why they call the team a "group" ....it's not a team at all...its just the core 4 and whoever is blowing through town hoping to get a bump by playing in this market and praying Dreger makes them out to be indispensable so they can cash in somewhere else. They are already doing it with Bunting with the talk of 4 or 5M....

The only player in the core 4 that ever gets sat down one in a while for being lazy or bad plays is Nylander.
Mathews Marner JT nothing.
John Cooper treats all players the same.
Ears perk up when the top players get benched .
I think when you have the core that is soft and bottom that isn't it can cause a rift .
This is a team game one for all and all for one.
TB series everyone one of there players got involved when Point got hurt even Stamkos
Kampf gers hit by Gudas nothing that is the difference in team bonding . This won't change until we get new leaders at the top.

 

[thewave]

The only player in the core 4 that ever gets sat down one in a while for being lazy or bad plays is Nylander.
Mathews Marner JT nothing.
John Cooper treats all players the same.
Ears perk up when the top players get benched .

Can't bench our top players. History of waaaaagh and getting coaches fired. This childish behavior is naturally rewarded by 8 figure contracts.

Go Leafs Go!

 

[geo25]

Agree with everything Hayes says. This group of guys is a joke and this market is a joke. These guys' agents are in bed with media and use them as mouthpieces for ridiculous contracts that make no sense. Guys like Pasta and MacK sign 8 year deals but we're talking max money for 4-5 years for Matthews? Get the f*** outta here. And don't even get me started on what Marner will ask for if he's still around. f***ing joke

1. The core 4 forwards are the only remaining forwards since JT was signed and that 5 yrs ago.
2. As of this moment, the core 4 forwards are the only 4 forwards under contract from last season Opening Night Roster

How can it not be about those 4?

Thats why this team is so disjointed & lacks chemistry. The 3 or 4 Amigos make it all & the rest are like cannon fodder because the lack of cap to fill in the gaps properly. I'd blow it up & start anew. This approach dosent work and our history proves it (as well - no team with a similar makeup gas ever won the cup)....but in TO where the galaxy brains live, they like to re-invent the wheel & always fall flat on their face. In the meantime, small market teams embarass us nonstop....

I agree
He was using his one timer more than his vanted wrist shot .
His wrist isn't better and will be a problem in the future.
Short term is better for us

Trading him is even better...

 

[ACC1224]

It speaks to a lack of respect for a company that contracted him to be a spokesman for them and undoubtedly to represent them at aome publicity heavy bank functions.

They're paying him a lot of bread if he doesn't want it maybe they can instead give it to ROR whom btw was asked to attend, showed up early with a smile on his face did 3 radio hits, signed autographs mixed with the pros joked around with the mucky mucks and generally had a great time.

BTW they did ask him his plans as far as next season goes and he answered the normal way, more than that though I watched him swing a few and Ryan looks like a guy who has a 12 or higher handicap. He didn't seem to shy about the level of his game.

If asked 1 1/2 years ago I’m hoping he assumed he would still be playing hockey now and wouldn’t be available. As his sponsor they would be aware of this.

Wouldn’t this be preferable to Leaf fans?

Out of all the non issues that get brought up here this one would rank pretty high.

I guess that depends if you think he is close to being the best player in the league

He’s the best player up for renewal

 

[ACC1224]

So what. That’s all part and parcel with making the big bucks and being a star. He shouldn’t hide in the sand

Where is he hiding?

 

[Trapper]

And that won't happen again.
Chronic wrist issue
Trade him if that is what he wants.

I’d be very surprised if Matthews returns to the 60 goal mark. In addition to the chronic wrist issues you mentioned, he also did it in a Covid, all Canadian Division year.
I would expect him to return to the 40+ goal range.
12.7 x 5 is more than fair.

 

[Legion34]

We know what he says but they've been projecting a large increase for years. There were times when teams didn’t know the next season cap around this time of the year.

Matthews should be fair and extend his current deal three years to see how it goes. Or give a list.

But unless he is lying. There is no choice
It has to go up. It’s the CBA

I’d be very surprised if Matthews returns to the 60 goal mark. In addition to the chronic wrist issues you mentioned, he also did it in a Covid, all Canadian Division year.
I would expect him to return to the 40+ goal range.
12.7 x 5 is more than fair.

No he didn’t?
He scored his 55th in dallas

 

[ToneDog]

But unless he is lying. There is no choice
It has to go up. It’s the CBA



No he didn’t?
He scored his 55th in dallas

He was on a 64 goal pace the year they won the Canadian division. It was last year he scored 60, with the hat trick for 60 against Detroit.

 

[Legion34]

He was on a 64 goal pace the year they won the Canadian division. It was last year he scored 60, with the hat trick for 60 against Detroit.

Yes but he scored 60 in a normal year. He was on a 67 goal pace

 

[justashadowof]

Try offering $12.65M aav for 8 years and see whether it flies. It would (temporarily) make him the highest paid player in hockey. Hate that he makes more than the likes of McDavid and MacKinnon? Well, it is Canada (you pay a premium) and in 3 years McDavid is going to be making way more than $12.5M aav.

I think the term is the key. That will make the back end of the deal good to very good because the cap will start rising significantly again.

 

[rojac]

Bettman said they were close to 6 billion this year So it would be 93.75 next year if the players paid it off.

They don’t have a choice. I don’t see why the players don’t agree to pay the 50 million out of their war chest

Make the cap go up and pay it back.

Pay 50 million you owe to get a 320 million return seems pretty straight forward

First of all, Bettman was talking revenues not HRR (hockey-related revenues). There are things that count as revenues but not HRR.

Second, as of the 2020 changes to the CBA, the cap is now based on HRR from two years before rather than the previous year. So, this year‘s HRR determines the cap for 2024-25.

 

[Legion34]

First of all, Bettman was talking revenues not HRR (hockey-related revenues). There are things that count as revenues but not HRR.

Second, as of the 2020 changes to the CBA, the cap is now based on HRR from two years before rather than the previous year. So, this year‘s HRR determines the cap for 2024-25.

Hmmm ok.

I listened to the DFO rundown, and seravalli was the one who said this.

So maybe he is mistaken? Or I misunderstood his interpretation. But he was very clear that based on what bettman said the cap would be 93 million in 2024

Those are his words almost verbatim. Feel free to listen

 

[ShaneFalco]

The only player in the core 4 that ever gets sat down one in a while for being lazy or bad plays is Nylander.
Mathews Marner JT nothing.
John Cooper treats all players the same.
Ears perk up when the top players get benched .
I think when you have the core that is soft and bottom that isn't it can cause a rift .
This is a team game one for all and all for one.
TB series everyone one of there players got involved when Point got hurt even Stamkos
Kampf gers hit by Gudas nothing that is the difference in team bonding . This won't change until we get new leaders at the top.

Exactly. They don't play as a team. But i also wonder if Keefe neutered them. When Foligno was here he wanted to fight someone and Keefe told him not to.

 

[therealkoho]

If asked 1 1/2 years ago I’m hoping he assumed he would still be playing hockey now and wouldn’t be available. As his sponsor they would be aware of this.

Wouldn’t this be preferable to Leaf fans?

Out of all the non issues that get brought up here this one would rank pretty high.


He’s the best player up for renewal

It goes to character

 

[Mess]

Try offering $12.65M aav for 8 years and see whether it flies. It would (temporarily) make him the highest paid player in hockey. Hate that he makes more than the likes of McDavid and MacKinnon? Well, it is Canada (you pay a premium) and in 3 years McDavid is going to be making way more than $12.5M aav.

I think the term is the key. That will make the back end of the deal good to very good because the cap will start rising significantly again.

I was about to post something very similar here myself.

Good Cup competitive teams like Boston and Tampa in the Atlantic don't let themselves get pushed around by their own players. In the case of Pastrnak and Stamkos earlier both organizations said take our offers that are fair and reasonable for us to remain Cup competitive or there is the door and see you later. Both Stammer (8 X $8.5 mil) and Pasta (8 X $11.5 mil) returned to the fold to stay with the teams they loved and proving actions speak louder than words. Team first and player second is the correct priority choice here.

McDavid is on his 8 years @ $12.5 mil deal (and he is the best player on the planet)
MacKinnon coming off a Cup win and 111 point season (of which neither has Matthews achieved) just signed for 8 years @ $12.6 mil

Treliving to Auston .. Both of those comparables are #1OA picks and franchise #1C and that is the market rate established

Toronto's offer 8 years @ $12.634 mil (highest paid player in the NHL) and it comes with a Take it or Leave it final offer.

You want to stay in Toronto Auston there is our 8 year commitment to you, and with a promise we will continue to build around you to remain Cup competitive, but we can only do that at market rates and not at break the bank Get-Rich-Quick scheme scenarios. To be given the opportunity of proudly wearing an original 6 team Maple Leaf crest on your chest comes at a price to you, not the organization.

If he chooses fame and fortune and walks away from that offer then its on him not the Leafs and then the organization does what is best for them afterwards.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

I’d be very surprised if Matthews returns to the 60 goal mark. In addition to the chronic wrist issues you mentioned, he also did it in a Covid, all Canadian Division year.
I would expect him to return to the 40+ goal range.
12.7 x 5 is more than fair.

If he does in fact have a chronic wrist issue, he and his agent should be taking that 8 year deal and running for the hills. I'd be hilarious if it backfired hard and we can walk away from damaged goods after a 3 year deal.

 

[nuck]

I’d be very surprised if Matthews returns to the 60 goal mark. In addition to the chronic wrist issues you mentioned, he also did it in a Covid, all Canadian Division year.
I would expect him to return to the 40+ goal range.
12.7 x 5 is more than fair.

I think he will get in the 50s again many times (or at least pace for it) unless the wrist is really not good and thats a real worst case scenario. Some are guessing possible chronicity just based on it hanging around but that may just be due to not giving an inflammatory issue the extended rest it needs. I suspect they would be negotiating based on a return to normal health. 12.7 might be fair but his last deal was for MVP level production after he had just delivered 5p over a ppg. Tree might not be quite the rube that KD was that first year but Matthews has all the leverage because Moldaver knows the club will do anything to avoid trading him. If Shanny loses that trade in just year 1 he is done regardless of what happens after that..

It will be interesting to know if the 3 and 4 year deals leaked out by the "insiders" are where this goes or whether they were just being fed garbage.

 

[Legion34]

I was about to post something very similar here myself.

Good Cup competitive teams like Boston and Tampa in the Atlantic don't let themselves get pushed around by their own players. In the case of Pastrnak and Stamkos earlier both organizations said take our offers that are fair and reasonable for us to remain Cup competitive or there is the door and see you later. Both Stammer (8 X $8.5 mil) and Pasta (8 X $11.5 mil) returned to the fold to stay with the teams they loved and proving actions speak louder than words. Team first and player second is the correct priority choice here.

View attachment 716722

McDavid is on his 8 years @ $12.5 mil deal (and he is the best player on the planet)
MacKinnon coming off a Cup win and 111 point season (of which neither has Matthews achieved) just signed for 8 years @ $12.6 mil

Treliving to Auston .. Both of those comparables are #1OA picks and franchise #1C and that is the market rate established

Toronto's offer 8 years @ $12.634 mil (highest paid player in the NHL) and it comes with a Take it or Leave it final offer.

You want to stay in Toronto Auston there is our 8 year commitment to you, and with a promise we will continue to build around you to remain Cup competitive, but we can only do that at market rates and not at break the bank Get-Rich-Quick scheme scenarios. To be given the opportunity of proudly wearing an original 6 team Maple Leaf crest on your chest comes at a price to you, not the organization.

If he chooses fame and fortune and walks away from that offer then it’s on him not the Leafs and then the organization does what is best for them afterwards.

Mackinnon signed for 15.2% of the cap after an 88 Pt season
You can’t use the year AFTER signing as the benchmark for the signing that’s silly

 

[Mess]

Mackinnon signed for 15.2% of the cap after an 88 Pt season
You can’t use the year AFTER signing as the benchmark for the signing that’s silly

Well that's convenient timing then as Auston is coming off an 85 point season heading into contract negotiations where he finished 22nd in NHL scoring. Lines up rather nicely with MacKinnon's 88 point contract year wouldn't you say?

15.2% of the cap it is for Matthews as well then on an 8 year deal. This contract comparable stuff is easy as these deals nearly write themselves !!!

Only problem MacKinnon walked into the GMs office with the Stanley Cup, Matthews is walking into the GMs office going goalless in 5 games in a near playoff round sweep. That is what is referred to as leverage and in this case the Leafs and GM Treliving is holding the best hand in comparable talk. .

 

[Legion34]

Well that's convenient timing then as Auston is coming off an 85 point season heading into contract negotiations where he finished 22nd in NHL scoring. Lines up rather nicely with MacKinnon's 88 point contract year wouldn't you say?

15.2% of the cap it is for Matthew's as well then on an 8 year deal. This contract comparable stuff is easy as these deals nearly write themselves !!!

View attachment 716729

Yes. It would for that platformyear.

Then when you go back to hart trophies and rockets and Pearsons it changes

 

[Racer88]

If asked 1 1/2 years ago I’m hoping he assumed he would still be playing hockey now and wouldn’t be available. As his sponsor they would be aware of this.

Wouldn’t this be preferable to Leaf fans?

Out of all the non issues that get brought up here this one would rank pretty high.


He’s the best player up for renewal

That I agree with 100%

 

[Trapper]

Well that's convenient timing then as Auston is coming off an 85 point season heading into contract negotiations where he finished 22nd in NHL scoring. Lines up rather nicely with MacKinnon's 88 point contract year wouldn't you say?

15.2% of the cap it is for Matthew's as well then on an 8 year deal. This contract comparable stuff is easy as these deals nearly write themselves !!!

View attachment 716729

So far Matthews has made 60 million.
13 x 5 = 65
14 x 5 = 70

So 70 + 60 = 130 million.
Only 1 contract left after that to make the difference to achieve 200 million NHL earnings.

If that’s the reported goal.
Crosby is currently the highest earner at 149 million.

 

[Racer88]

Where is he hiding?

He is hiding from the public attention that comes with being a celebrity/athelete If that is the reason he is not there
That said I do not believe they should hound or harass him either.
He could however come up meet the media and tell them that he will not be answering any questions about hockey as this is a golf event.
I also wonder if the real reason he doesn’t want to play in the pro/am tournament is maybe he just really sucks at golf.
What ever the reason it sure has poor optics

So far Matthews has made 60 million.
13 x 5 = 65
14 x 5 = 70

So 70 + 60 = 130 million.
Only 1 contract left after that to make the difference to achieve 200 million NHL earnings.

If that’s the reported goal.
Crosby is currently the highest earner at 149 million.

He sure ain’t gonna make that in Arizona. Lol