Respectfully, you're missing my point here.
Yes, he is LAST guy leafs let walk.
Him getting paid, finding cap for him is not the prob
And no matter how top heavy Leafs are or aren't, that is not the ? b'c AM would be top player on that roster either way.
The ?, which Leafs do NOT control, is what does AM want?
The premise is it is possible for AZ to offer hometown boy upside TOR can't match. Like I said, Matthews could be a candidate to be player-owner, then owner when he hangs up the skates. Plus he could better capitalize on every opportunity in AZ.
If AM passes on AZ, then Leafs have slight edge to keep him, tho Austin may still want to test the market or try something new.
But I see him pushing to have as much control as he wants.
"The premise is it is possible for AZ to offer hometown boy upside TOR can't match. Like I said, Matthews could be a candidate to be player-owner, then owner when he hangs up the skates."
I am still curious where there is any evidence or even anything slightly suggesting AM would want to take a financial and possibly career punch to the gut, just to play for his hometown team. Like is any of this based on something Matthews said or implied? Is this what Coyote fans and pundits believe?
"Plus he could better capitalize on every opportunity in AZ."
Why? What makes this true? Why can't he capitalize on every opportunity anywhere he is or anywhere he goes? In fact, relative to other locations, the opportunity in Arizona is minimal and limited. Whereas the opportunities in NY, Chicago or even Toronto are pretty much endless. Far beyond what Arizona can offer. In marketing, in commercials, his likeness and most especially local business and local businessmen. Whatever of any of this is in Arizona, it's tenfold in NYC or Chicago. And Toronto is a big city, but it's an especially big hockey city. And Leafs fandom isn't restricted to Toronto, it's probably worldwide, as far as hockey goes. So playing in one of these markets not only exposes him to all the opportunity and connections in those markets, but would do similarly, to an extent, internationally.
So, without that assumption at least, I really don't understand why it would be a likelihood of that happening and him wanting to sign with the Yotes. Or even a significant chance at all. If I had to put money on it right now, I would say the Coyotes aren't even in the top 5 of the most likely places for Matthews to end up. Not saying it's impossible, just highly improbable. But we can't really know his heart so there's a chance.
You are right though, what does AM want? Has he let that be known at all? Has he shown any discontent or disconnect with the Leafs? Mentioned anything about not liking something about Toronto? Just curious what would make someone think AM doesn't absolutely love playing in Toronto, for such a high profile organization.
But whether he chooses to test the market in free agency or not is a different matter. That could definitely happen. But if that did, I think teams like the Rangers, Chicago, Detroit, Vegas, Montreal, Lightning, Boston, Kings or Panthers, and a bunch of other teams are more likely and probably in regard to AM, more interesting than say the Coyotes or right now, the Wild or Calgary.