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

[JKG33]

Is it starting to look like this guy got rich, embraced celebrity life and is now mailing it in?

I've been saying that right along. He cares more about being a celebrity and hanging out with Bieber and Co. than he does about winning cups. Those pesky games in April and May just cut into party time.

Him signing with those two dickheads at Prime has gotta be one of the most on brand things ever. And I mean that in the worst possible way.

 

[Evilhomer]

Really? Can I ask why?

Every year Dubas traded the future to shore up the bottom 6 and blueline depth because he didn't have the cap space in the summer and look where it got us. Another first round exit.

If Treliving follows the same philosophy and waits to the deadline to pick up some UFAs, expect another very short post-season.

Now I do give Brad some leeway for this year as he just joined the team last Summer and had limited time and resources to address long-standing issues, but I hope he recognizes quickly that the band-aid approach every February doesn't work and does as you hint at - fix them "long" before the playoffs but with longer-term additions.

I think he will acquire one quality defensemen before the end of the calendar year, and then another guy at or before the trade deadline. I also think Clutterbuck is a near-guaranteed acquisition for the Leafs. He is a UFA to be and the exact kind of player Treliving likes.

 

[Rob Brown]

I've been saying that right along. He cares more about being a celebrity and hanging out with Bieber and Co. than he does about winning cups. Those pesky games in April and May just cut into party time.

Him signing with those two dickheads at Prime has gotta be one of the most on brand things ever. And I mean that in the worst possible way.

Except winning a Cup in Toronto would make him far more famous than signing with a brand like Prime ever would, because without being a hockey player in Toronto he isn't hanging out with people like Bieber anyway.

It's silly to me when people here imply that they know what is going on in in the brain of someone they've never met. It's possible for a player to want to win the Cup while also wanting to make money on the side.

 

[JKG33]

Except winning a Cup in Toronto would make him far more famous than signing with a brand like Prime ever would, because without being a hockey player in Toronto he isn't hanging out with people like Bieber anyway.

It's silly to me when people here imply that they know what is going on in in the brain of someone they've never met. It's possible for a player to want to win the Cup while also wanting to make money on the side.

Actions say way more than words. If he cared at all about winning a cup he wouldn't be milking the team for every last possible cent.

 

[m1ker]

Wouldn’t be the first time Keefe changes everything else but Matthews-Marner and then when he finally puts Matthews-Nylander we go on a win streak

 

[notbias]

I've been saying that right along. He cares more about being a celebrity and hanging out with Bieber and Co. than he does about winning cups. Those pesky games in April and May just cut into party time.

Him signing with those two dickheads at Prime has gotta be one of the most on brand things ever. And I mean that in the worst possible way.

That's why he signed in LA as a UFA like lots predicted, he wants to hang with celebs.

 

[JKG33]

That's why he signed in LA as a UFA like lots predicted, he wants to hang with celebs.

LA made it clear with who they signed, they had no interest.

Notice how he signed in Toronto after LA committed all their cap to Dubois and Kopitar?

And I wanted no part of him... in LA or Toronto

 

[RunItBackAgain]

Well it’s confirmed, his shot is gone. It really hurts watching because you know he wants to rip them still but he just can’t. Feels bad

 

[TonsofPuppies]

Well it’s confirmed, his shot is gone. It really hurts watching because you know he wants to rip them still but he just can’t. Feels bad

It's what I've been saying since early last year. He doesn't have a shot anymore. Remember when he used to curl and drag and practically rip pucks through the net on a regular basis? I don't remember him having a single goal like that the entire year last year and he certainly doesn't have any like that this year either.

The Leafs are going to be very happy that they only signed him for 4 years. Hopefully by that time, Shanny, Keefe and the rest of this rotten core are gone and this nightmare can end. I can't stand any of them. Nylander, Rielly and JT are the only players who give a shit on this team.

 

[francis246]

LA made it clear with who they signed, they had no interest.

Notice how he signed in Toronto after LA committed all their cap to Dubois and Kopitar?

And I wanted no part of him... in LA or Toronto

Pretty sure he signed the week after Mitch Marner’s wedding. Don’t think it had anything to do with Dubois or kopitar.

 

[Machinae]

You guys have way too high of an opinion of Toronto to be bashing Matthews about only wanting to hang with celebrities and cash in. The chance to go to California and take home more cash and probably get paid even more on the open market was right there. This is nonsense. I'm shocked he chose stinky cold overpriced Toronto over LA, Vegas, Dallas, etc.

All of those places are competitive, close to home, closer to the celebrity life, out of the insane Toronto spotlight. Appreciate that he chose to stay here.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

You guys have way too high of an opinion of Toronto to be bashing Matthews about only wanting to hang with celebrities and cash in. The chance to go to California and take home more cash and probably get paid even more on the open market was right there. This is nonsense. I'm shocked he chose stinky cold overpriced Toronto over LA, Vegas, Dallas, etc.

All of those places are competitive, close to home, closer to the celebrity life, out of the insane Toronto spotlight. Appreciate that he chose to stay here.

well he's soon going to be making 13.25m and clearly his wrist still isn't 100%.

when you make that much and play how he has. its going to come with negativity.

he has never really been the player we need him to be and has so far since 2016 took over only 1 game in the playoffs and it was last year against TB

Mitch isnt much better. the both of them are just money hungry will not leave a dollar on the table.

Nylander deserves a raise but he wont take a discount either. he's basically as good as gone

 

[RunItBackAgain]

It's what I've been saying since early last year. He doesn't have a shot anymore. Remember when he used to curl and drag and practically rip pucks through the net on a regular basis? I don't remember him having a single goal like that the entire year last year and he certainly doesn't have any like that this year either.

The Leafs are going to be very happy that they only signed him for 4 years. Hopefully by that time, Shanny, Keefe and the rest of this rotten core are gone and this nightmare can end. I can't stand any of them. Nylander, Rielly and JT are the only players who give a shit on this team.

I saw him attempt one earlier this season and it clocked at like 81mph and looked like one of Marners shots. I honestly feel bad for him cause he hasn’t even attempted one since and it’s hard to lose something like that

 

[francis246]

You guys have way too high of an opinion of Toronto to be bashing Matthews about only wanting to hang with celebrities and cash in. The chance to go to California and take home more cash and probably get paid even more on the open market was right there. This is nonsense. I'm shocked he chose stinky cold overpriced Toronto over LA, Vegas, Dallas, etc.

All of those places are competitive, close to home, closer to the celebrity life, out of the insane Toronto spotlight. Appreciate that he chose to stay here.

you don’t think LA is over priced? And there’s one thing Toronto has over all those places. People care about hockey here more than they do in those 3 markets. I think that’s why he likes it here. I don’t think he minds the spotlight at all.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

 

[notbias]

Why since game 3? Seems weird and specific... oh I know why, never mind.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Why since game 3? Seems weird and specific... oh I know why, never mind.

Since Matthews’ hot start back to back hattricks is my guess. Not a lot of production out of him since.

 

[Mess]

Don't worry for Matty as the endorsement $$ keeps rolling in..

Auston Matthews signs huge endorsement deal with YouTube star​

YouTube influencer, WWE Wrestler and celebrity boxer Logan Paul was in Toronto last week at an event and hinted that his energy drink, Prime Hydration, had signed a Leaf to endorse the drink.

"I can't say who it is yet but be on the lookout because we got another big signing," said Paul at the event.

Today, it was officially revealed that Prime had signed Auston Matthews to an endorsement deal through an Instagram post. The company was founded by Paul and fellow YouTuber KSI and Matthews is the first NHL player to sign with the company, who is also the Official Sports Drink of the UFC.

The money continues to pour in for Matthews as he is also sponsored by Bet99 and RBC, among others, and let's not forget his massive 4-year extension he signed in August that will see him earn an additional $53M.

Matthews got off to a very hot start this season, scoring hat tricks in back-to-back games, but has scored just once in his last seven games.

 

[Stephen]

I always say, you can tell Matthews is playing well by his chameleon like play style. When he channels a Leon Draisaitl straight line, go to the net and dial up the physical engagement he's successful, opens up scoring chances and looks like ($13) million bucks.

When he plays Mitch Marner finesse hockey and defers to Mitch on shot attempts, gets to fancy and frilly, his effectiveness goes down.

Also I'm not so sure he has a wrist issue so much as a conditioning issue. You can see him flying out there with great puck handling but doesn't seem capable of those bursts on a regular basis. He doesn't seem to have the engine to sustain that.

 

[Gallagbi]

Since Matthews’ hot start back to back hattricks is my guess. Not a lot of production out of him since.

He never scores in the games he's held scoreless.

 

[Stephen]

You guys have way too high of an opinion of Toronto to be bashing Matthews about only wanting to hang with celebrities and cash in. The chance to go to California and take home more cash and probably get paid even more on the open market was right there. This is nonsense. I'm shocked he chose stinky cold overpriced Toronto over LA, Vegas, Dallas, etc.

All of those places are competitive, close to home, closer to the celebrity life, out of the insane Toronto spotlight. Appreciate that he chose to stay here.

Hockey players in California are generally not really celebrities. Being an LA King does not appear to be that high profile of a gig in the world of entertainment.

 

[authentic]

Since Matthews’ hot start back to back hattricks is my guess. Not a lot of production out of him since.

He got floored from behind in game 3. Have to wonder if he got hurt again

 

[hamzarocks]

He got floored from behind in game 3. Have to wonder if he got hurt again

Will this be a constant excuse whenever he underperforms?

He was hurt last year despite playing 74 games

He was hurt in R2 vs the Panthers despite playing every game

He was hurt vs Boston back in 2018

Etc etc

He needs to take 4-5 games off if hes hurt and rehab to come back and dominate

 

[Stephen]

Will this be a constant excuse whenever he underperforms?

He was hurt last year despite playing 74 games

He was hurt in R2 vs the Panthers despite playing every game

He was hurt vs Boston back in 2018

Etc etc

He needs to take 4-5 games off if hes hurt and rehab to come back and dominate

Matthews was getting plenty of looks in the Chicago game, almost scored one off the first rush vs Tampa but hit a post, was dominating that OT period and was generally flying out there to start the season. This is off the top of my head.

I think what tends to happen is once he loses that goal scoring scent for a couple of games the energy level starts to dip and he falls into that Mitch Marner mirroring. Defer to Marner for a shot, over handle the puck, the straight line power game turns into a more fussy east west, finesse style. That's when he's at his worst.

I also don't know if he's got the conditioning to play that fully engaged 200 feet game either. Feels like he goes into an energy saver mode. The PK is doing him no favours and isn't productive.

 

[authentic]

Will this be a constant excuse whenever he underperforms?

He was hurt last year despite playing 74 games

He was hurt in R2 vs the Panthers despite playing every game

He was hurt vs Boston back in 2018

Etc etc

He needs to take 4-5 games off if hes hurt and rehab to come back and dominate

It’s not an excuse but it just seems like it may not be a coincidence that he has 1 goal since then, but he has still had his chances.