Confirmed Signing with Link: [TOR] Matthews extended (5 years, $11.63M AAV)

[SC2GM]

Eh. If you're going to be one of the best players in the league, then you should be paid as such. And, honestly, if you expect the cap to keep going up, all of these deals end up looking like a bargain before the ink even dries.

I'd rather have a superstar getting paid what he is worth than overpaying a bunch of guys by 6 million, who shouldn't even be in the league anymore (the norm for most teams). It will be interesting to see how Toronto makes it work, though.

 

[Matt24]

Like I said, I would have rather had Matthews for 8 years at $14 million over 5 years at $11.6 million if I was a Leafs fan. The extra $2 million a year is worth getting those 3 guaranteed years.

Except the Leafs are already tight with the cap. This is clearly the Leafs/Dubas opting for a 5-6 year window with the core they have as opposed to 8-9 and having to make concessions.

 

[justafan22]

interesting:

 

[Funk21]

He’s also sucked for two years besides this year. No goalie is worth that...Franchise centres sure.

Regardless of how you view Price's contract this is a S$#* Sandwich and the fact that this is all signing bonus is awful too. I'm sorry but if they put the C on this kid I will no longer be a Leaf fan.

This deal is about him getting paid as much as possible, he is walked into Free Agency in the prime of his career, he left absolutely nothing on the table. Dubas should be fired for this alone. Larkin at 6.1 and Matthews at 11.634, I'll take Larkin so I can actually build a team around him.

 

[Canadienna]

Stamkos got 11.66% of the cap for his 5 year RFA deal.

Matthews will receive 14.63% for his 5 year RFA deal.

So roughly 3% of the cap difference between them. It's an overpayment, but not as bad as I originally thought. If he outperforms Stammer it will be worth it.

 

[AvsFan29]

How?

Some teams can afford to offer buy- out proof contracts that are structured with large signing bonuses.

 

[Tripod]

If it was an 8 year deal it wouldn’t be bad.

That's what it really comes down to. That cap hit for 8 years, and everyone would say it's right in line.

 

[Thrasymachus]

Will he be a UFA after the 5 years?

 

[SherVaughn30]

Don't get me wrong as Matthews is a good player, but $11 million per year for a player who hasn't even passed the 70 points in a season mark, played a full 82 games his first season but has missed 34(20+14) of the last 134(82+52) games the Leafs have played. I just don't see the $11 million per year value yet. Maybe closer to $7-8 million for what he's shown so far.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Yeah, that $2 million difference would really limit the Leafs ability to keep their core

I really don't get the spin angle from Canadian media that this was a good decision to go this route. It doesn't even have to do with being a Leaf fan or a Leaf hater or anything like that, I just really don't get why the media seems to think that this was better than the alternative.

 

[SI90]

When does Horton and Marleau come off the books that’s should help I would think.

I also, I have a feel they trade Nylander

 

[nturn06]

I agree. Even McDavid who is worth every penny of his contract but RFA is RFA. The teams should have the leverage but the players have taken full control.

Half of McD contract is UFA years, that is actually a pretty good leverage by the player... But in AM case, I really cannot understand what Dumbas was thinking...

 

[Love]

Ugh not the greatest contract. 5 years is too short. But Matthews is an absolute stud, all these “he hasn’t hit 70 points” comments are stupid and the people making the comments know it too.

Just scares me a bit for when EP re-signs. Hopefully it’s somebing more reasonable.

 

[justafan22]

Except the Leafs are already tight with the cap. This is clearly the Leafs/Dubas opting for a 5-6 year window with the core they have as opposed to 8-9 and having to make concessions.

They'd have to trade Kadri tomorrow for nothing if that was the contract.

 

[Advanced stats]

And then imagine how much of an increase he is looking at 6 years from now? Tavares got DOUBLE what he was paid coming off his ELC on his UFA contract. And that was with ONE playoff series win over the course of those 6 years.

Well the cap will be over 100m by then, so we'll cross that bridge when we get there

 

[Frank the Tank]

in actuality, why wouldn't Buffalo regret it? Eichel yaps about being a stud and whines that he has nobody to play with

The GM gave him a team this team and they still manage to creep out of the playoffs

mind you Islanders are sitting on top despite their issues, and the Devils had a good run last season too

what the hell is Buffalo's excuse? Eichel never cracked the 30 goal barrier either

so other than the greatest stud in the NHL McDavid

i don't see any team being overjoyed having to dish out $10m+ over 8years

Price
Kopitar
Doughty
Kane
Toews
Eichel
are all way too lengthy

i think 5yrs is perfect for Matthews

Buying RFA and UFA seasons are significantly different concepts and your list of players reflects that you do not understand that. All you did is wave your hands around quickly, failing to support your original claim. Once again, the Oilers and Sabres do not regret signing their young stars to 8 season extensions, buying numerous UFA seasons in the process.

 

[GSP2018]

Ooops

 

[McShogun99]

After this off season people will finally stop complaing about the Draisaitl contract. 8.5 cap hit isn’t looking as bad now for a 70+ point player.

 

[TopG]

Yes, a board full of die-hard, mostly intelligent hockey fans thought that three RFAs were going to, "Walk".

OK.

what

 

[GAGLine]

Unloaded Martin
Signed Tavares
Signed Nylander
Signed Matthews
Acquired Muzzin

Horrible you say? Everyone (non-Leafs fans) have told us "no way he signs all 3 kids!!"...well, he's going to...while adding Tavares and Muzzin along the way.

I wouldn't count your chickens just yet.

$71,905,699 committed to 14 players. The cap may go up to 83 mil, and Horton on LTIR will allow you to go over the cap by up to 5.3 mil, but Marner and Kapanen will take up most of that. You still need 3 more forwards, 2 dmen and a backup goalie.

Maybe Dubas can find a taker for Marleau, but he'll have to agree to waive his contract. The saving grace there is that Marleau is on a 35+ contract but only gets paid 1.25 in base salary. I could see Toronto paying his signing bonus on July 1st, then trading him to Arizona or Ottawa, who buys him out during the 2nd buyout window (but keeps the full cap hit because it's a 35+ contract), and then he re-signs with Toronto.

 

[POVERTY]

BOSS GETS BENT OVER BY THREE YOUNG STUDS

Pretty sure I've seen that one. Marner's agent must be licking his chops right now ready to take advantage of Dubas. At this price tag you have to do better than 5 years.

 

[Aoko]

When GM’s were asked who they would start a franchise with they voted Matthews second to McDavid but yes keep that 70 point crap up.

Leafs fans are so fragile, you should be happy about this signing. Keep the sodium levels to a minimum.

 

[WingsMJN2965]

If you want to boast about how short-sighted you are, be my guest.

Nothing short-sighted about it at all. Nylander got paid a million more than players equal to or better than him, and he did it while holding out.

 

[Rob Brown]

interesting:

Fine, we forgive you, Auston.

 

[bukwas]

To be honest if it were a 6 year term i'd have thought great deal for both sides.
As is, slight edge to Matthews.

 

[Bruins1993]

bad move t.o.

 

[JT Kreider]

Is Murray more valuable to the Pens than Crosby or Malkin? Simple yes/no question.

It is an awful comparison anyway. Crosby and Malkin are on a different tier than Matthews. As is Andersen to Murray.

 

[McSuper]

Bad money for the term. I’m disappointed as a Leafs fan.

Takes him right to UFA.

I would not be too upset . The Leaf have a good team and will probably win a cup in the next 3 years . If they have a cup or 2 by the time his contract ends he will probably resign and in the mean time they low cap hit can be used to sign Marner