Value of: Auston Matthews

[Nucklehead Supreme]

In the sense of taking the best that's available if you decide to move on, yes. In the sense that it'd be the same exact trade? No and it's pretty stupid to interpret that post as such.

Why would they have to do this? Mathews plays the most important position in hockey, and is a multiple 50 goal scorer, still young, they wouldn't have to take the best that's available like the Sharks did, the situations couldn't be more different.

What's really stupid is interpreting these two situations as the same thing. Toronto is a playoff team, the Sharks were a dumpster fire. Karlsson was and is over paid by a country mile, Not at all the same.

 

[BeranekAndNeck]

Why would they have to do this?

Because Matthews controls his destination and only a handful at most will a) have the cap to accommodate him b) have a market he will want to be in c) have the supporting cast even after a trade to still be a contender.

It’s going to be near impossible to find a match on all fronts, and that is even before you get into the overall return. Toronto loses any deal for Matthews on paper, but like the Joe Thornton trade of yore, it’s gotten to be a necessity for both parties. Eerie how that will have been 20 years ago as of this upcoming season when a Matthews trade is probable.

 

[Knight]

Looking forward to his villain arc when he becomes Boston Matthews

 

[Guitpik]

Hfboard has some of the wildest takes... yes, the Kings make that trade without any hesitation

That would make zero sense for the Kings. Their young son to be 1C AND their top scorer, not a chance. Kings need to build around those players not trade them away.

 

[tradestheyen]

McTavish
Zelleweger
10th overall
2026 1st
Right to Artyom Galimov

for

Auston Matthews

 

[McDonald19]

Neither LW Gauthier nor LHD Mintyukov project as elite/core players.

Elite and core are very different things.

 

[McDonald19]

McTavish
Zelleweger
10th overall
2026 1st
Right to Artyom Galimov

for

Auston Matthews

Yikes. Ducks pass.

 

[McGarnagle]

I haven't read through all six pages here so don't know if this parallel has been made yet, but Matthews is at just about the same point in his career that Joe Thornton was when he got traded, and while they're much different in playing style, there are a lot of similarities - great regular seasons, underwhelming playoff performances, captain of a disappointing team, wearing most of the blame from the fanbase.

Toronto likely also wouldn't get a fair return for him, like the Bruins with Thornton. But that trade cleared a path for Boston to gain success by bringing in winning players so in a sense it was worth it.

 

[Guitpik]

I actually think Marner has a decent chance of signing in LA.

If Matthews wanted to go to LA. The kings would absolutely move tons to get him.

Heck both might come.
We can gaurantee 2 rounds in 9 years

Regarding Matthews, I don’t see him being dealt seriously by the Leafs, especially if they let Marner walk. He’s to good. But, his price tag in trade and his salary would make it a tough sell for most teams to fulfill. And he’s too good to trade.

As a Kings fan, if Marner actually does hit the market (I’m not sold he will) the interest will drive up his market price price beyond what the Kings would most likely be willing to spend. The team is very interested in re-signing Gavrikov, Jeanot and Kuzmenko. Not to mention Kempe’s next contract.

 

[SR]

Matthews and Keller are best friends. What would it take from Utah?

 

[Johnny Concussion]

Put him in Buffalo.

 

[Guitpik]

You talk like any of this is your choice.

Who on here doesn’t? Leafs fans are dealing Matthews like it’s their choice.

 

[McDonald19]

Teams that need a 1C desperately:
Anaheim

We are good with Leo Carlsson, thanks.

 

[Heldig]

Matthews and Keller are best friends. What would it take from Utah?

I assume more than the team will want to give.

 

[Mr Positive]

The Leafs will walk from Marner, and that will be the big move.

I don't see the point of moving Matthews.

I know the Leafs are down now, but they are still a team that has more to lose than to gain with big changes

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Why would they have to do this? Mathews plays the most important position in hockey, and is a multiple 50 goal scorer, still young, they wouldn't have to take the best that's available like the Sharks did, the situations couldn't be more different.

What's really stupid is interpreting these two situations as the same thing. Toronto is a playoff team, the Sharks were a dumpster fire. Karlsson was and is over paid by a country mile, Not at all the same.

Because in that scenario, the team decided it was time to move on and started going down the trade road. Once you do that, there's no turning back. Trying to play any sort of chicken game at that point is only going to hurt your leverage. There's only so much you can do to pit potential suitors against one another in an offseason. It's been proven time and again when a premier player with full control goes on the market. Matthews will have a better trade return because of his position but you can't undo the process once it starts.

They are the same thing in the sense that they're big-ticket assets with the player having full control. You can pretend like Karlsson coming off a 100 point Norris campaign is overpaid and there will be a value difference between these two players but this sort of cap deal is not going to be easy to get done and it will reflect in the trade value. Players like Matthews never get what they're perceived to be worth. There is no scenario where Toronto trades Matthews and gets the better end of the deal. Nobody is giving Toronto the farm for Matthews.

You can pretend all you want that there are no parallels between Karlsson and Matthews on this front but you'll find out if Toronto ever pulls the trigger. He's going to be lucky if he gets two 1st round pick level assets and some secondary pieces.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Matthews is waiting for the Arizona expansion team.

Toronto will leave him unprotected in favor of guys that actually play with heart.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Why would they have to do this? Mathews plays the most important position in hockey, and is a multiple 50 goal scorer, still young, they wouldn't have to take the best that's available like the Sharks did, the situations couldn't be more different.

What's really stupid is interpreting these two situations as the same thing. Toronto is a playoff team, the Sharks were a dumpster fire. Karlsson was and is over paid by a country mile, Not at all the same.

Do you think the Leafs can win with Matthews as their highest paid/best player?

The proof says otherwise.

If they want to keep just making the post season, sure keep him

 

[landy]

Pick anything you want sans Mackinnon, Landy, Makar, Toews.

Necas, Lehkonen, Colton, rights to Drouin and Nelson.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Pick anything you want sans Mackinnon, Landy, Makar, Toews.

Necas, Lehkonen, Colton, rights to Drouin and Nelson.

Rights to Drouin have value??

 

[SR]

I assume more than the team will want to give.

That’s where it’s hard to gauge. Schmaltz doesn’t have much value. Our first this year… simishev is likely not being moved, But I don’t think has the value that GMBA thinks he has.

Cooley isn’t going anywhere.

Yeah we’re probably out haha

 

[Heldig]

That’s where it’s hard to gauge. Schmaltz doesn’t have much value. Our first this year… simishev is likely not being moved, But I don’t think has the value that GMBA thinks he has.

Cooley isn’t going anywhere.

Yeah we’re probably out haha

4 OA + Crouse + Hayton +??

Probably have to add the 2026 1st and that is still likely not what TML will want.

 

[lanceuppercut75]

Way too many moving parts

I disagree.

in it's basic form, it is :
Matthews + Rielly
for
Thompson + Power + Quinn + futures

SMALL ADDS COMING FROM TORONTO
Buffalo can take failing RHD prospect Niemelä and see if they can turn him into anything. IF they want. Buffalo can also take 1 year of Reaves, who is an okay press box guy that can play 4th line RW. Good for fighting, grit and locker room. IF they want him.

FUTURES COMING FROM BUFFALO
(1) Toronto also wants one of Buffalo's best center prospects.
(2) Toronto also wants Buffalo's best goalie prospect BUT they'll give Hildeby to Buffalo, so it's more of a goalie prospect downgrade for Buffalo instead of just losing a prospect.
(3) Toronto also wants a draft pick in the top 100 picks for 2025 or 2026, as they're running low on picks.

OTHER ROSTER PIECES
Toronto is sending too much cap in this deal for Buffalo to be able to accept it. We need to find a way to send more cap to Toronto where both teams are satisfied with the players moving out and coming into their rosters.
(1) Robertson for Zucker = Toronto gets to upgrade on Robertson and the cap hit is much higher. Only a 2 year commitment in case Zucker isn't a great fit. Alternatively, Robertson for Krebs, which helps Buffalo stay more competitive, but doesn't help their cap as much.
(2) Lafferty is a 1 year contract bottom 6 guy that Toronto can use on their 4th line or press box, but more importantly, he costs more than double the league minimum. More cap going to Toronto to offset how much more Matthews Rielly cost than Thompson Power

 

[SirPaste]

And have him continue to eat away at the culture by throwing his teammates under the bus for his chronic playoff failures?

This is a toxic relationship for both sides now and only a trade can fix it. The Leafs will lose that trade in the short-term, yes, but it’s worth it if Toronto ever wants to win more than respect in the handshake line.

If the Blues were to offer Schenn, Buchnevich and Bolduc for Matthews and Kampf as an example, Berube would finally have some reliable horses to run with come playoff time. No, they aren’t going to get him 70 goals in the regular season, but it would be a much more balanced roster with cap space to fill holes as needed.

Knies-Nylander-Buchnevich
Schenn-Tavares-Robertson
McMann-Domi-Bolduc
Laughton-Holmberg-Jarnkrok
Lorentz, Reaves

Rielly-Tanev
OEL-Carlo
McCabe-Benoit
Myers

Stolarz
Woll


+Between 6 and 8 million in cap depending on what JT and the RFAs extend for. They can either spend that this summer for a more reliable winger than Robertson or see if he can produce in the top six and fill that hole at the deadline if need be.

Where do I sign?

 

[lanceuppercut75]

And have him continue to eat away at the culture by throwing his teammates under the bus for his chronic playoff failures?

This is a toxic relationship for both sides now and only a trade can fix it. The Leafs will lose that trade in the short-term, yes, but it’s worth it if Toronto ever wants to win more than respect in the handshake line.

If the Blues were to offer Schenn, Buchnevich and Bolduc for Matthews and Kampf as an example, Berube would finally have some reliable horses to run with come playoff time. No, they aren’t going to get him 70 goals in the regular season, but it would be a much more balanced roster with cap space to fill holes as needed.

Knies-Nylander-Buchnevich
Schenn-Tavares-Robertson
McMann-Domi-Bolduc
Laughton-Holmberg-Jarnkrok
Lorentz, Reaves

Rielly-Tanev
OEL-Carlo
McCabe-Benoit
Myers

Stolarz
Woll


+Between 6 and 8 million in cap depending on what JT and the RFAs extend for. They can either spend that this summer for a more reliable winger than Robertson or see if he can produce in the top six and fill that hole at the deadline if need be.

Leafs wouldn't be asking for Bolduc, they would (1) be using their Marner cap money to keep Marner or replace him with Ehlers, and (2) be asking for a better piece like Dvorsky, and (3) be asking for a pick too, even if it's a 3rd rounder next year or something

Buchnevich Schenn (Marner/Ehlers)
Knies Tavares Nylander
McMann Domi (Robertson/Pacioretty)
Holmberg Laughton Jarnkrok
Kampf
callups = Cowan, Dvorsky

I have to say, that group of centers is weak. No, Nylander is not a center. Not sure this is the right path for Toronto...