Would it really be the end of the world if Matthews isn’t on the team in two years?

[Machinae]

We've already seen Eichel and Tkachuk deals reinvigorate their teams.. Imagine dumping Marner and picking up someone who gives a f*** like Tuch

 

[Menzinger]

I think we've got more than enough to fixate on in the short term before adding this to the list of issues lol.

He's one of the few members of the team I'd still probably try to lock up, because the fact is is you'll never be able to replace a goal scorer in center on his level.

It won't be the end of the world if McDavid takes his place.

Ideally we can have both.

 

[DarkKnight]

If he doesn’t sign this summer I trade him straight away.

 

[cannucky]

It won't be the end of the world if McDavid takes his place.

Agreed but it would take an end to reality for that to happen

 

[57 Years No Cup]

I’ll preface this by saying it’s probably too early to have this conversation. However, with the abysmal start to the season and with what seems like will be the 7th straight year winning nothing of substance, I figure the question has to be asked.

Every leaf fan I’ve heard from thinks it will be the end of the world if Matthews isn’t playing here in two seasons. Matthews is a world class player. No denying that. But is it worth it for the Leafs to pay 13+ mil/yr to a guy who hasn’t proved he can elevate his game in the playoffs? Is it even possible for a team to win the cup in the modern NHL with a player taking up such a high percentage of the cap?

If the answer to these questions is no, or if the Leafs get the slightest inkling that Matthews won’t re-sign, then they have to explore moving him this off-season to at least get somewhat of a haul back for him.

Personally, I am ready to nuke the entire organization at this point. Move on from most (if not all) of the core, front office and coaching staff and start over.

Matthews will be traded before the end of the current season. He doesn't want to be here and management can't let it go past June 30th into next season.

 

[m1ker]

We need to stop surrounding him with speed/skill. This dude is 6'3. He needs 2 heavy wingers his size who bang and play a basic cycle and crash the net hockey. No he won't hit 60 goals this way but his line will dominate and win games.

 

[fahad203]

I think we've got more than enough to fixate on in the short term before adding this to the list of issues lol.

He's one of the few members of the team I'd still probably try to lock up, because the fact is is you'll never be able to replace a goal scorer in center on his level.



Ideally we can have both.

Essentially this. I think people are taking his talent for granted. For longest time people said the same about Mats Sundin. Until of course Mats left and we couldn't find a true number center until Matthews came into the picture

Unlike others Jack Eichel, Tkchuck this is not a disgruntle employee. This is a very good player. Unfortunately, the casts are not very good. I still want Matthews to finish his career here

I still dont' think he's had the linemate he needs. He needs a power forward type of player on his wings. Kind of like Josh Anderson

 

[ToneDog]

If he doesn’t sign this summer I trade him straight away.

he has a NMC July 1st. Cherry on top, thanks to the dumb GM.

 

[DarkKnight]

he has a NMC July 1st. Cherry on top, thanks to the dumb GM.

Well, luckily our off season is well before that date

 

[DueDiligence]

Well the islanders just went to back to back conference finals after losing their best player

Yeah but that guy was a slug. Matthews is all world.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

Except the day he is eligible to re-sign is also the day his NMC kicks in so we can't "just trade him " July 1 2023 he becomes untradeable , nobody is paying a premium for an unsigned player when he becomes available for free .
Also can we knock off the generational BS , he is not a generational player . Crosby , Lemieux , McJesus these guys are generational players , you need a benchmark ? how about players that have posted 700 or more points in 500 games ? Mathews will not even come close to that mark but those three guys and 4 other players before them have all done it . He is not that guy , he is a very good goal scorer but he is not that guy that can take a team on his back and make them something they are not .

Bingo to the bolded.

 

[AvroArrow]

Not the end of the world it would hurt like hell, doubt we ever land a player like him again.

 

[thewave]

Ive said this for a while, he’s off to Anaheim as a free agent.

Young core of good players. Lots of Americans on that team. Even though they are bad now, they have some pieces to contend in 2+ years. Zegras, Mactavish, Drysdale, mintyukov, Terry, Fowler, etc. Add in another likely high pick this year….
It’s in California, closer to home… they have the cap space.

He’s gone to Anaheim as a free agent. It makes too much sense

I agree with you.

I don't want to face up to it but when we lost to Montreal, it should have signaled changes to management and coaching. It was too obvious they weren't getting it done.

 

[AvroArrow]

Mcdavid ain't coming here

He's on a team where his teammates actually give a f*** about winning

lol have you seen an Oilers game ? He IS the entire team. That's probably the one franchise that's been managed worse than ours, they took the leafs scraps and have a blue line with 5 Justin Holls + Nurse

 

[rocketman588]

lol have you seen an Oilers game ? He IS the entire team. That's probably the one franchise that's been managed worse than ours, they took the leafs scraps and have a blue line with 5 Justin Holls + Nurse

Sure the D is bad but their forward group always digs in and grinds.

No matter the score. If we had the desire up front they did we'd be rolling.

Also he is quite obviously not the team. They have 2 other elite scorers and their complimentry pieces fit better within their team then ours do

 

[kevsh]

Matthews had a very good series against Tampa, to me playing like he was determined to win. Sure he was shut down in game 7 but so were the Bolts top guys, the difference being Tampa had a deeper lineup that could step up. To me, he's not the problem in Toronto and he's the franchise right now.

So unless he makes it clear (or has already) that he wants to walk at the end of his deal, the Leafs should 100% make every effort to extend him next Summer and look to cut cap elsewhere.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

If he walks for nothing

Yes

The nmc f***s us up the ass so hard

We're really in the unfortunate position of basically having to decide this trade deadline because our GM got destroyed on term then decided to give AM all the leverage going into the final year of the contract

Dubas' biggest mistake IMO.

 

[ToneDog]

lol have you seen an Oilers game ? He IS the entire team. That's probably the one franchise that's been managed worse than ours, they took the leafs scraps and have a blue line with 5 Justin Holls + Nurse

So 12.5m McD is the entire team while 11.634m Matty can't carry a team with two $11m players ?? Seems everybody in the league is overpaid except 97.

 

[AvroArrow]

So 12.5m McD is the entire team while 11.634m Matty can't carry a team with two $11m players ?? Seems everybody in the league is overpaid except 97.

I would make the argument McDavid is underpaid, for how much he produces he should be making 14.5-15 IMO, obviously it makes it that much harder to construct a competitive roster but he really is that far ahead of the competition.

 

[thewave]

If he doesn’t sign this summer I trade him straight away.

You actually have to have that commitment prior to his clause kicking in or the return will be pathetic. Basically if the team is failing you let him go this season at the end of it.

 

[TheDoldrums]

I mean, it would be the end of this era. Some people would probably welcome that I guess.

If Matthews doesn't want to stay the best course of action would be a full rebuild. The rest of the team is not good enough to retool around and realistically contend. I don't want any half-assed Calgary thing where we try to make do with whatever replacement we find. Tear it down again, hopefully the next core gets it done this time. Try to go after McDavid in free agency, otherwise just try and build a young, fast team that could develop into something.

 

[Tak7]

The Leafs won't have a talent like Matthews for the rest of my life.

If he doesn't sign, then yes, it'll be the end of the road.

 

[Legion34]

Ive said this for a while, he’s off to Anaheim as a free agent.

Young core of good players. Lots of Americans on that team. Even though they are bad now, they have some pieces to contend in 2+ years. Zegras, Mactavish, Drysdale, mintyukov, Terry, Fowler, etc. Add in another likely high pick this year….
It’s in California, closer to home… they have the cap space.

He’s gone to Anaheim as a free agent. It makes too much sense

Except he is giving up an extra year. ……. And going to a non playoff team.


And they don’t do full SB.

 

[Jojalu]

Bingo to the bolded.

The NMC doesn't prevent him from being traded. It does give him the power to say where he wants to go.

Every year players get traded that are going to become UFA'S.

Unless Matthews is a complete ass where he refuses to sign and refuses to waive his no trade to handcuff the Leafs he will be dealt.

 

[Legion34]

Mcdavid ain't coming here

He's on a team where his teammates actually give a f*** about winning

Ummmmm you do realize the same teammates have crashed and burned and missed the playoffs and got swept right?

They were getting yelled at and it was a disaster last year….. they weren’t even a shoe in for playoffs until like March playing in the weakest division competition gm against half the knights and kings

This is just silly