Confirmed with Link: Leafs sign F Auston Matthews to extension (4 years, $13.25M AAV)

[leafs in five]

You do not build a team via free agency and mortgage the future at the TDL. Dumbass proved this in his 5 wasted years here. Draft and develop some players already and then you might actually make a serious run. Oh yeah, BTW you do not find these guys in the late rounds no matter how smart your GM thinks he is.

Dubas tried to build a team through free agency?

 

[thewave]

THe dollars are fine, but the term concerns me.

If they were a contending team it would be terrific but I can’t see that D winning 2 or 3 rounds.
The good thing is they will have money to spend but who will they spend it on? When you need a 1, 3,4 it’s not real easy to find in one year. By the time that’s fixed, there will be other holes, such as 2C.

Maybe I’m wrong but that D was a disaster in the playoffs.

Our D could not get it done. On top do we have the tender that can get it done.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I like the way you think. McDavid always seems like he's keeping that door open just in case.

They could easily build around Matthews, McDavid, and one of Marner/Nylander.

True, but I'm already anticipating Matthews wanting the moon and the stars on his next contract when he's past his prime and I want no part of that. That's why I'd prefer to sign McDavid, trade Matthews who will fetch a huge return and depending on how Marner plays in the playoffs then, I'd be fine with trading him as well. McDavid and Nylander plus the massive return we'd get for M&M should be pretty darn good!

Of course one problem is that Nylander might not be here any more, after seeing what Matthews signed for I could see him testing the UFA market next summer. But there's always the chance that Marner finds the right shrink who helps him get over whatever it is that's causing him to fade away when the pressure rachets up and then we keep him. All massive speculation of course but I can't help it, the prospect of McDavid coming here is hard not to think about, especially when I think about how badly our current core has let us down repeatedly over the years it seems like that's the only way for us to reach the promised land.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Yeah, I think the Matthews deal sets the bar here, and it should be, *hopefully*, an easier negotiation.

He's not going to get Matthews money. Matthews' got a $1.5 million raise. So working within those parameters, I'd expect him to get no more than $12 to $12.5 million tops.

Hometown kid. Favourite team growing up. Recently married. Subject to some trade rumours that likely didn't sit well with him and may want to quell to show his commitment to the team and city.

8 years at $100 million (the higher amount bridged with the cap rising), and everyone comes away happy.

Yeah sadly not happening. It will be a circus like last time with some talking heads, and apologists around here will say he's worth as much as AM

 

[Gary Nylund]

I’ve talked to my 2 cats and we’re all in agreement our team are a bunch of p***yes….

Any time I try talking to my cats, they steer the conversation away from the Leafs to their own agenda.

 

[Nineteen67]

Bro have you seen what Yzerman is doing, they're absolutely going to sit idly by. TB and Boston are going into a decline, it's a natural part of sports, Buffalo and Ottawa will likely take their spots within 2 years time.

TB is getting older, Kuch won't be elite into his late 30's, Hedman is slowing down, Stamkos has slowed down a lot like in JT territory, Vasi has been average the last 2 years.

Boston will need a miracle, they lost Bergeron there's no replacing a guy like him. Krejci retired as well and we took Bertuzzi from them.

The team I'm most worried about is Buffalo, Dahlin looks like the player he was projected to be, Thompson is a monster, then they have Cozens and Power as well. They will be a verrrry good team, probably starting this season. Ottawa is on the rise as well. I think Buffalo takes Bostons spot this year, and the following year Ottawa leaps Tampa.

Yes, Ottawa and Buffalo looked poised to take over the division because they’re built around some very good defencemen.
I doubt Boston or Tampa stay down for long.

Our D could not get it done. On top do we have the tender that can get it done.

Another uncertainty.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Yes, Ottawa and Buffalo looked poised to take over the division because they’re built around some very good defencemen.

and yet both those teams have been bad defensively while we've been good, very curious

 

[myleafs]

I'll guess we'll wait and see. Got a 5 year window now.

Problem for me is now everyone is talking about getting Nylander signed at a fair price then Marner and then keeping Tavares at 5-6 mill when his deal is up. Re-signing all of them into their 30's doesnt get me very excited as I envision the exact same as we have seen. Why wouldnt it be? I think what we see is what we get with our top guys.

Im good with building around Matthews even if I dont think he is as good as some around here but to keep the whole gang together for several more years doesnt inspire me one little bit. I just dont believe that this core group together has what it takes and so far they havent. I hope Im wrong.

 

[Gallagbi]

Regardless of the relentless spin we're seeing in this thread, the simple truth is Matthews is taking these short term contracts to squeeze every single solitary last penny out of the the Maple Leafs. The honest truth is that every other super star player could also do this. Pasta could have signed for way more than 11 mil on a 4 year contract. MacK could have signed way WAY more than he did on a 4 year contract. But they didn't. They understand it's a capped league and what fighting for every penny would do to the teams competitiveness. For the precedent it would set when other star teammates need a new contract. And that's because almost every other star player in the league gave at the very least a semblance of compromise between what they wanted and what the team wanted and would benefit from.

Of course, the usual suspects will cling to a few remote exceptions to this rule and then try to act like what Matthews is doing is normal.

But it's not normal. This level of selfishness is not normal. Matthews is now a very... VERY... rare exception in the nhl as a player not willing to give ANY consideration to what's best for the team. Like, none. It's JUST him.

I honestly don't know how it can be called anything other than pure vile greed.

Havent heard a single person say this is the norm, can you highlight those that did?

 

[Nineteen67]

and yet both those teams have been bad defensively while we've been good, very curious

Have been….. that’s the key. They have potential, the Leafs D…eek.

 

[myleafs]

Bro have you seen what Yzerman is doing, they're absolutely going to sit idly by. TB and Boston are going into a decline, it's a natural part of sports, Buffalo and Ottawa will likely take their spots within 2 years time.

TB is getting older, Kuch won't be elite into his late 30's, Hedman is slowing down, Stamkos has slowed down a lot like in JT territory, Vasi has been average the last 2 years.

Boston will need a miracle, they lost Bergeron there's no replacing a guy like him. Krejci retired as well and we took Bertuzzi from them.

The team I'm most worried about is Buffalo, Dahlin looks like the player he was projected to be, Thompson is a monster, then they have Cozens and Power as well. They will be a verrrry good team, probably starting this season. Ottawa is on the rise as well. I think Buffalo takes Bostons spot this year, and the following year Ottawa leaps Tampa.

I learned long ago to never ever bet against or take lightly the Bruins or the Lightening. Kucherov is only 30 btw not late 30's. And I agree re the Sabres, fun team and I think going to be very good very soon.

 

[Racer88]

Well it’s starting to look like they are running the same thing over again this season. Same coach, same core that can’t get it done in the playoffs. It’s going to be a long season and a short playoffs once again

 

[AvroArrow]

I learned long ago to never ever bet against or take lightly the Bruins or the Lightening. Kucherov is only 30 btw not late 30's. And I agree re the Sabres, fun team and I think going to be very good very soon.

wtf LOL Why did I think Kuch was like 34? Guys been dominating for so long.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

It's been less common recently than earlier in the cap era, but we're also in a pretty unique situation where the cap is artificially suppressed below the normal 50% of revenues and about to skyrocket. I would have preferred 8 years too, but I'm not going to bemoan additional years of one of the best players this franchise has ever seen.

Okay true, so it's pretty unprecedented in recent time as I expected.

 

[Fogelhund]

Bolded is one of the stupidest things Ive read on here.

It's kind of funny how it's persistently the most negative posters who out themselves, and object to being called out, even when it's not by name. Thanks.

 

[leafs in five]

Have been….. that’s the key. They have potential, the Leafs D…eek.

5th in GA last year

 

[Ziggdiezan]

View attachment 738462

Jeez I thought they banned that level of signing bonuses but I guess that is the next CBA

 

[myleafs]

It's kind of funny how it's persistently the most negative posters who out themselves, and object to being called out, even when it's not by name. Thanks

good one randy

 

[FromChaos22]

He's worth it obvs but, "everything I can to make us win" would equal bigger discount, even 12.5

 

[leafs in five]

Regardless of the relentless spin we're seeing in this thread, the simple truth is Matthews is taking these short term contracts to squeeze every single solitary last penny out of the the Maple Leafs. The honest truth is that every other super star player could also do this. Pasta could have signed for way more than 11 mil on a 4 year contract. MacK could have signed way WAY more than he did on a 4 year contract. But they didn't. They understand it's a capped league and what fighting for every penny would do to the teams competitiveness. For the precedent it would set when other star teammates need a new contract. And that's because almost every other star player in the league gave at the very least a semblance of compromise between what they wanted and what the team wanted and would benefit from.

Of course, the usual suspects will cling to a few remote exceptions to this rule and then try to act like what Matthews is doing is normal.

But it's not normal. This level of selfishness is not normal. Matthews is now a very... VERY... rare exception in the nhl as a player not willing to give ANY consideration to what's best for the team. Like, none. It's JUST him.

I honestly don't know how it can be called anything other than pure vile greed.

it helps to put totally made up shit in italics

 

[Peasy]

I don't think Tampa will decline that much. 30 year old Kuch, Point, Serg/Hedman, Vasi is still a very strong core. If Ottawa had better goalies id be higher on them. For Buffalo, if Levi can at least become a middle of the pack goalie then look out. They have elite D men, elite forwards, and a ridiculous prospect pool.

Leafs need Matthews to keep up.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

I'll tell you why fans of other teams are salty about this signing:

They lost Gaudreau and Tkachuk in CGY. WPG might be losing some of their top talent.

Toronto re-signed their top talent.

True, though if the bar we are setting is being better than CGY and WPG that isn't good lol

 

[leafs in five]

if there were ever, any (however miniscule), semblance of doubt whether this scoundrel

 

[Throw More Waffles]

Havent heard a single person say this is the norm, can you highlight those that did?

But there's plenty here trying to defend Matthews for doing it.

Is there any possible explanation for this other than Matthews being greedier than the typical star player?

I don't think there is.

And once we accept this objective fact that Matthews is greedier than the typical star player, where do you go from there? "Yeah, I acknowledge that they're greedy and selfish. And that greed and selfishness makes the team significantly less competitive. But I still love these guys. Go leafs go." I don't understand that mentality.

 

[Squiffy]

Jeez I thought they banned that level of signing bonuses but I guess that is the next CBA

Man, I just crunched the numbers on the upfront cash, there are some clauses in the MoU that dictate how heavy a contract can be front-loaded and the difference in total salary year to year.. boy this thing is designed to the penny to put as much as possible in AM's hands as fast as possible. The fourth year total salary is exactly 60% of the first year, the max difference allowed, and that dive in salary between years 2 and 3 just barely slips under the 25% difference allowed in adjacent years.

And why not, Leaf's can afford it and AAV is all that matters for cap management, no difference to us. Well done.

It's probably common on these contracts? I might poke around tonight on the structure of some other big ones since the MoU.