Speculation: Why hasn't Auston Matthews signed yet?

[NSH615]

Lou's motto is literally, "If you have time, use it."
Well that and status quo, but you get the point. There's no reason to jump to conclusions over something that is almost certainly a non-issue.


Well, in 2011 the only way the Devils could fit Larsson's cap hit under the salary cap was to keep it under $1 million. Larsson wouldn't have made the team if he cost any more than he did.

Obviously not the case here, but it is always a good thing to keep the cap hit as low as you can.



So dramatic... Matthews will get whatever deal Lou gives him and he'll get over it. If he's worth the bonuses, then he'll get his money in due time. And even if Lou is being a stickler over the bonuses, it's never too early to tell a kid they have to earn it. Lou built his career by making it clear to his players that they were never more important than the team.

Isn't that what a performance bonus is? The player performed to certain levels and did in fact earn it.

 

[gamer1035]

It's cause Lou lam refuses to give rookie bonuses. We are going to regret it going into his next contract

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

He's your franchise player. Give him his damn bonuses.

 

[StuckOutHere]

Because its too hot in Toronto right now and no one wants to do anything that involves putting on pants?

 

[BoltSTH]

Seems obvious to me that he was convinced by HF posters and the media that Stammer would be a Leaf on July 1st and he would learn from him. Plus all the other superstars that were going to sign with the Leafs at below market rate, just to play there. Now reality of where he is is setting in

 

[Stand Witness]

Although, Lou refused to give Marner Schedule B bonuses (potentially $2M).

In fact, Lou has never given a single player “Schedule B†bonuses.

Schedule Bonuses were introduced after the lockout.

Since then the only players drafted Top 5 that did NOT receive the full bonus schedule are Larsson + Marner.

(both contracts negotiated by Lou)

There are 2 types of schedule B bonuses.

1) The bonuses paid by the league for awards

2) The bonuses paid by the team for individual accomplishments

He will get 1) but likely not get 2). It goes along with Lou and his philosophy of team first. Plus it helps keep potential cap overage down in future seasons too.

 

[Homesick]

Zurich is going to offer him 3 million per as a league collective(like Beckham in the MLSE)

 

[Jumptheshark]

he clearly does not want to play for toronto

this thread is just retaliation for all the stamkos and now the John Tavares thread we are getting. For two years we put up some leaf fans saying it was a slam dunk Stamkos was going to be a leaf and now with a slight delay in Matthews signing--fans smell blood

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Just curious how come he hasn't signed yet? Seems like all 1st overall sign within a week.

Well that's just blatantly false. Time to break out the copy-pasta.

 

[Mike Jones]

So dramatic... Matthews will get whatever deal Lou gives him and he'll get over it. If he's worth the bonuses, then he'll get his money in due time. And even if Lou is being a stickler over the bonuses, it's never too early to tell a kid they have to earn it. Lou built his career by making it clear to his players that they were never more important than the team.

I was simply asking a question. Lou should be careful with his 50's approach to the game. Matthews has proven he has options and the Leafs should tread carefully.

 

[Mike Jones]

Zurich is going to offer him 3 million per as a league collective(like Beckham in the MLSE)

And they should be making this offer. And Matthews should be considering it and letting the Leafs know he is considering it.

Or if I was the new London franchise in the KHL I'd be pushing that league to help me get him on the expansion roster.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Stamkos didn't sign his ELC until July 29 of 2008.

Tavares signed his July 15th 2009.

Yakupov July 23rd 2013.

Ekblad signed September 7th 2014

To go along with this list, the Leafs usually sign their first rounders to ELC's relatively late.

Luke Schenn: October 8th, 2008
Morgan Rielly: August 3rd 2012
William Nylander: August 18th 2014
Mitch Marner: July 28th, 2015

Only people who care are Leafs fans who panic over anything and gobble up the garbage the media spews, or outside fans wanting to try and stir up crap.

 

[Roof Daddy]

There are 2 types of schedule B bonuses.

1) The bonuses paid by the league for awards

2) The bonuses paid by the team for individual accomplishments

He will get 1) but likely not get 2). It goes along with Lou and his philosophy of team first. Plus it helps keep potential cap overage down in future seasons too.

Potential cap overage during the 3 years of his ELC, sure, but do you think Matthews and his agent are going to simply slough it off as "oh well, it's only a couple extra million, no biggie." They will most certainly make Lou pay for it when the second contract comes, whether it be in dollars, or term (signing the minimum amount of years to take him to free agency).

It would be different if there were a bunch of GM's that did this, but he's the only one. Why mess with your new franchise player, especially considering that even if he hits all his bonuses, his performance is probably going to be worth every penny and more.

 

[TLEH]

It's just a silly thing to do. Leafs have the cap space, will have the cap space, it's a ridiculous issue to create, even if its most likely a non issue, why even give the opportunity to create one. If a guy scores in the top 10 on an ELC for your team then he earned the extra money. Just give him the ****ing bonuses

 

[Mike Jones]

It's cause Lou lam refuses to give rookie bonuses. We are going to regret it going into his next contract

Exactly. Call it the PK factor. The Leafs can win now and wind up losing the war in the long run.

It's best here to cut the losses right at the front end.

 

[Makar Goes Fast]

if he re enters the draft, does he go 1st overall again?

first player to be drafted first overall twice.

history will be made.

leafs get the 31st pick as compensation obviously

 

[Stand Witness]

Potential cap overage during the 3 years of his ELC, sure, but do you think Matthews and his agent are going to simply slough it off as "oh well, it's only a couple extra million, no biggie." They will most certainly make Lou pay for it when the second contract comes, whether it be in dollars, or term (signing the minimum amount of years to take him to free agency).

It would be different if there were a bunch of GM's that did this, but he's the only one. Why mess with your new franchise player, especially considering that even if he hits all his bonuses, his performance is probably going to be worth every penny and more.

I am sure the Leafs would love it if Matthews made the Leafs pay for it with his 2nd contract. It means he performed excellent in his first 3 years and will deserve the massive contract he is in line for.

The best thing that could happen for the Leafs is this motivates Matthews and he becomes a beast. His 2nd contract is already likely in line to be 6M+ with the way that bridge contracts are being cut out.

 

[hockey8686]

Stamkos didn't sign his ELC until July 29 of 2008.

Tavares signed his July 15th 2009.

Yakupov July 23rd 2013.

Ekblad signed September 7th 2014

To go along with this list, the Leafs usually sign their first rounders to ELC's relatively late.

Luke Schenn: October 8th, 2008
Morgan Rielly: August 3rd 2012
William Nylander: August 18th 2014
Mitch Marner: July 28th, 2015

Only people who care are Leafs fans who panic over anything and gobble up the garbage the media spews, or outside fans wanting to try and stir up crap.

This answers my post was just bored at work and curious thank you kind sir

 

[iloveloov*]

I hope Lou knows what he's doing here..

This is starting to remind me of Ryan Johansen in Columbus.

 

[Stand Witness]

I hope Lou knows what he's doing here..

This is starting to remind me of Ryan Johansen in Columbus.

He's been in the league since the late 80s.

He knows what he is doing.

 

[buttman*]

Just curious how come he hasn't signed yet? Seems like all 1st overall sign within a week.

When do most 1st overall picks sign?

 

[SometimesY]

Toronto will likely give Matthews all the bonus money, but maybe they want to make sure they have the rest of their roster in place first. Otherwise, seems like an easy contract: Franchise player selling oodles of merchandise and engaging the fanbase = $$$$

 

[Roof Daddy]

I am sure the Leafs would love it if Matthews made the Leafs pay for it with his 2nd contract. It means he performed excellent in his first 3 years and will deserve the massive contract he is in line for.

The best thing that could happen for the Leafs is this motivates Matthews and he becomes a beast. His 2nd contract is already likely in line to be 6M+ with the way that bridge contracts are being cut out.

I have no doubt Matthews becomes the player everyone projects and is worth 6+ million on his second deal. What I'm saying is, what if this move by Lou infuriates Matthews and his agent (which I'm sure it will), and a fair market deal (let's say 7 per) now becomes 8+.

It's just not worth the potential ill will - especially when every other 1st overall gets it.

Lou is a legendary GM, but this is dumb.

 

[Makar Goes Fast]

He's been in the league since the late 80s.

He knows what he is doing.

same could be said for mactavish.


length means nothing if you dont adapt to situations constantly.

plus matthews is very likely to play out his rfa years in toronto only to sign back in his home town in arizona the first chance he gets.

 

[Slot]

Wasn't this thread shut down earlier this week? EDIT: sorry that was on the Leafs board.

Realities:

Leafs currently have $3.5M left under the cap this year (remember no LTIR cushion in the summer so Horton counts against the cap)
Jared Cowen buyout has not happened as planned, perhaps in the second buyout window depending on how the case against him goes (got surgery without telling the club and therefore is considered injured and cannot be bought out at 1/3 rate).
Jimmy Vesey is still out there and unlike Matthews is not under leafs control and can't be signed on opening night (He'll sign somewhere on the 15th of next month)

Matthews will get signed, he will get his money and all of this will be forgotten.