Return for Matthews in a trade

[NVious]

Losing to Washington and Boston as rookies and sophomores I wouldn't include in the 1st round humilations.

I think based on how we've played the past 3 series, all against teams that went to or are currently going to the Cup finals, this is not a team I would be comfortable getting rid of the core players.

Our core massively outplayed Tampa Bay's two series in a row. They all couldn't score against Florida but the way Bobrovsky is playing against Carolina it doesn't look like that is really the fault of the players as much as it's an otherwordly performance by a two time Vezina trophy winner.

We had more scoring chances that Florida in that series and lost 4 out of 5 really close games. I think it's delusional to think we're getting any type of return here for 1 season of Matthews that will better our team here.

We were slightly better the first series against Tampa, they outplayed us the second series. And now all 3 of them are getting another raise?

Bottom line is the team hasn't done anything in 7 years nor do any of the core 4 elevate their performance during the playoffs, just the opposite, they all play WORSE.

Be my guest to give guys failing and not showing up for the most important part of the year a raise.

 

[ErnieLeafs]

6 first round losses
1 2nd round destruction
1 loss to a middle aged zamboni driver that played half a game

All for the cheap cheap cost of 40+ million.

THEY'LL PUT IT TOGETHER (next year) *repeat X Seven*

We deserve to suffer? Yeah unlike the past 7 years of banners;
Great regular season btfod in playoffs banner
100+ point regular season btfod in playoffs banner
60+ goal season btfod in playoffs banner

Could you imagine the pain of NOT having the honor of the above? Lmfao

I remember all the years before he was here

 

[Americanadian]

I don't think Matthews would be coming off the lot in mint condition though. That's why there's mutual benefit in sticking together. There's pressure on both sides. What other team is going to cleave $13 + million from their salary structure for Matthews without feeling risk?

Leafs need to play this out with goodwill, open communication but you can't panic.

If Matthews puts up a similar season to the one he just played next season and then asks for 13M as a UFA what do you do?

 

[PROUD PAPA]

Our only real option is to try and sign him July 1. Give him a fair deal FOR 8 years and if he won't sign it then throughout the year villainize him in the media and if he leaves we will make what happened to Tavares look like child's play. Immediately retire a 34 form our history that's not him. Sell all leftover of his jerseys and Jersey plates as kindling for literally a dollar. Just go full pety for the next twenty years, also make him aware of what's coming. He wanted to strong arm us on his first deal out of rfa...ok , our turn..

We don't want to start crapping on the players if they don't want to remain. That's just a bad business plan and the stench would linger for years. People need to understand that the players are at some point free to do whatever they like. If they don't want to be here they fulfill their contractual obligation and choose their destination. If management is uncomfortable with the possibility of that outcome their options are to allow them to walk at the ends of the deals or trade them beforehand and recoup what they can on the asset.
2 options, pick one and live with the consequences.

 

[NVious]

I remember all the years before he was here

Same.

Can't believe we would finish 9-13th and be done Aprill 15th, so sad.

Now we finish 1-5 and get to play an extra week of hockey, all the respect we've piled up in those handshake lines is insane.

*Banner for most respected team during handshake lines while being eliminated during the first round 2022-23*

 

[Stephen]

If Matthews puts up a similar season to the one he just played next season and then asks for 13M as a UFA what do you do?

$13 million is the cost of doing business. Like I said before, the delta between Matthews at $11.6 million and $13 million is Connor Timmins. You’re not blowing it up over that difference.

Tavares comes off then books organically in 2 seasons after year 1 of the new deal. The top heavy nature of the team will have a relief then.

Don’t get too obsessed with the idea we need to act fast and stupid.

 

[HandshakeLineRespect]

What is your option?

He cannot be signed until July 1st., and at that point he is under complete control.

Leafs have to pay him whether they play him or not, and he doesn't have to play anywhere other than Toronto.

Reality.

Of course the only guarantee Leafs have is the ability to trade him for whatever they can before July 1st.

If he doesnt verbally agree to an extention you trade him before his NMC kicks in. Only an idiot lets him walk for nothing.

 

[HandshakeLineRespect]

We did it routinely under Nonis and Burke. I was basically throwing a fit with every player that walked for nothing. Terrible organization that way. Dumb as nails.

Only when the leafs started letting guys walk for nothing did the term "own rental" pop up which was infuriating.

 

[Puckstuff]

This is my rank order with Matthews

1. Sign him between 11.5 - 12.5 - seems like a low chance of happening.
2. Trade him for a very good offer i.e top player coming back or very good player.
3. Sign him for 13-14 million.
4. Keep him for the last year as our rental and risk losing him for nothing.
5. Trade him for a medicore return i.e a late 1st/b prospect.

Because I don't think option 1 or 2 is realistic, it's most likely option 3 or 4.

 

[therealkoho]

He can sign a letter of intent.

I don't believe NHL by-laws permit that nor does the CBA

Nudge nudge wink wink is fine if there are no physical record of it

Not sure I would trust Matthews/agent on that, I'm sure they're fine folk and all, but money's involved and money makes people do money kind of things.

 

[Americanadian]

$13 million is the cost of doing business. Like I said before, the delta between Matthews at $11.6 million and $13 million is Connor Timmins. You’re not blowing it up over that difference.

Tavares comes off then books organically in 2 seasons after year 1 of the new deal. The top heavy nature of the team will have a relief then.

Don’t get too obsessed with the idea we need to act fast and stupid.

I'd argue that keeping Matthews at 13M is acting stupid. I don't see the relevance of comparing the delta to Connor Timmins. I think his current contract is an overpayment, I don't think overpaying him again is more palatable when you compare the delta to a 6D. At the end of the day the Leafs are competing against every other NHL team and paying more for lesser players is a competitive disadvantage.

 

[therealkoho]

A team-friendly contract is not when you outperform your contract, it is when you sign for less than you are worth.

If it is what you think, there are hundreds of team-friendly contracts in the league.

100s might be over-stating it, just a wee bit

 

[Americanadian]

I remember all the years before he was here

It's incredible that 15 other teams make the playoffs each year without Matthews.

 

[therealkoho]

you don’t start negotiations that way. It’s not how it works. First you presume that you can work out an extension and proceed along those lines for 2 or 3 weeks. If you reach an impasse then you threaten to trade him to a team he doesn’t like as a point of leverage.

The Matthews agent apparently mentioned delivering a take it or leave it offer to the Leafs Management, I'm not sure if there was a timeline to go along with it.

 

[-DeMo-]

I don't believe any team would trade for Matthews only for him to leave next summer, so any deal generally will envolve an extension, heck I think the better return would be this method anyways. so to me the July 1st deadline of his NMC is pretty much irrelevant. he wont reject a trade to a team he's willing to sign long term with.

 

[authentic]

Imagine if Marner, Matthews, and Tavares get traded. Throw in Murray, and we could get 5 high calibre NHL players and a bunch of prospects and first round picks.

The possibilities are endless.

I jjst hope we go towards a Boston model of skilled tough to play against teams who work hard and hate to lose.

We have the assets to build any team we want and can get quality in return.

To be honest I agree with this, except keep Matthews no matter what. I stand by that and I'm confident his play going forward will prove me right.

 

[ULF_55]

Sort of agree with you here Ulf.

There is risk for Auston Matthews in not locking in a contract as well. Lingering wrist issues. Does he need surgery this offseason? Will his regular season numbers rebound? What is the chatter around the league about his playoff abilities? So there is a mutual benefit in locking in a contract that is palatable too both sides. Matthews didn't have a playoff breakthrough and he's not piling on the production.

That's my slant with regards to the post.

Matthews not signing a contract is a risk for Matthews.

If he puts up the same numbers this year, he's not a $15mm player by anyone's imagination. He didn't even hit 90 points. He flamed out in the playoffs. He's flamed out in the playoffs before.
Right now last season is not a trend ... it can be ignored. Another season like it doesn't get ignored.

 

[scout20]

to NYR
Matthews

ToLeafs
Fox
Lafreniere
Chytil

 

[ULF_55]

That's a really big risk. A lot of people don't see him as being a guy that wants to stick around. Why else take the 5 year deal to get going. I don't know how this team could even manage Matthews walking, do you remember Kawhi? That was basketball, this would be 3 fold.

Not good. Job ending for Shanahan as well.

Leafs only have 1 option where they have control.
Trade him before July 1st.

 

[ULF_55]

If he doesnt verbally agree to an extention you trade him before his NMC kicks in. Only an idiot lets him walk for nothing.

"If it isn't in writing tear it up and throw it away."

I'd trust him to keep his word, but if he doesn't you play him and he walks.

Does his word mean anything or is it for sale?
I don't know him, nor do I know his agent.

Leafs would be acting on faith, and I can live with that.

 

[daveleaf]

I believe you have to trade him and I believe with the right deal this franchise flourishes. You need four pieces coming back, maybe five. I would want a number one d-man, The best young centre they have, best young left winger and a couple first round pics.

"If it isn't in writing tear it up and throw it away."

I'd trust him to keep his word, but if he doesn't you play him and he walks.

Does his word mean anything or is it for sale?
I don't know him, nor do I know his agent.

Leafs would be acting on faith, and I can live with that.

I would trust no one. Everyone at the end says its a business. Offer something to stay, if he refuses move him and move on. Last thing you need is another muskoka five situation.

 

[ULF_55]

I believe you have to trade him and I believe with the right deal this franchise flourishes. You need four pieces coming back, maybe five. I would want a number one d-man, The best young centre they have, best young left winger and a couple first round pics.


I would trust no one. Everyone at the end says its a business. Offer something to stay, if he refuses move him and move on. Last thing you need is another muskoka five situation.

He cannot accept any offer until he becomes NMC'd.

What is Matthews value in a 1 year rental?

Does Matthews get an arena built in Arizona?
Everywhere else he's a 1 year rental, until July 1st.

 

[justashadowof]

1 year of Auston Matthews alone is still worth a lot.

 

[daveleaf]

He cannot accept any offer until he becomes NMC'd.

What is Matthews value in a 1 year rental?

Does Matthews get an arena built in Arizona?
Everywhere else he's a 1 year rental, until July 1st.

It's a better gamble to a franchise than finishing dead last and hoping the ball bounces your way. That team would have a whole year to convince him. Someone mentioned LA. I would send him west.

And may I add. What a horrible deal to negotiate by Dumb***. Give the guy a NTC the day you can negotiate with him. I'm glad he is gone, he is useless.

 

[Avilaj07]

I keep looking at the Kings when it comes to a Matthews trade.

To Toronto-
Byfield
Clarke
Kempe

To Kings-
Matthews