Insider reveals that the Auston Matthews extension might be a lot shorter than Leafs Nation may be comfortable with
It's no secret that the Leafs having some big decisions ahead this summer. They will need to make decisions on President Brendan Shanahan, GM Kyle Dubas, head coach Sheldon Keefe and beyond that, there are a number of decisions that need to take place to determine the fates of the players.
One player who very likely won't be going anywhere is superstar center, Auston Matthews. Yes, he had a bit of a down year and yes, he disappeared in Round 2 against Florida, but Matthews is a 2-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner and the reigning Hart Trophy winner and Ted Lindsay Award winner. You don't trade an MVP after one down year, during which he dealt with multiple injuries.
There has been a lot of discussion over what Matthews' next contract might look like in Toronto. Most believe that Matthews will sign the richest contract in NHL history, and could be eyeing a deal worth as much as $15M per season over 8 years. However, while the AAV might be up there, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman does not believe that Matthews will sign for the maximum term of 8 years. He believes, instead, that Matthews will opt for another 5-year deal.
It's really anyone's guess as to whether or not Friedman has some actual inside information on this one, but he has remained steadfast for several days that the Matthews camp could be looking at another 5-year deal to leave the door open for one more massive contract as he enters his 30's.
If Matthews signs another 5-year deal in Toronto, when that deal expires, he will be preparing to enter his 31-year-old season on his next deal. If he chooses to wait and sign a massive 8-year contract at that point, it will carry him all the way to his 39-year-old season, which could very likely be the remainder of his career. If he wishes to retire a Leaf, that's certainly one way to ensure that it gets done.
If Matthews does elect to sign another 5-year deal in Toronto, followed by an 8-year deal to remain with the Leafs, he'll undoubtedly smash a variety of Leafs scoring records and could even wind up with the most games played as a Leaf in NHL history. For an original six team and such a storied franchise, Matthews having his name on just about every team record might be something that appeals to him. Obviously, there's a lot of time between now and then, so things can certainly change, but if Matthews does indeed sign a new 5-year deal on July 1st or shortly thereafter, Friedman will have been one of the only ones to have seen it coming.
| POLL | ||
MAI 17 | 561 ANSWERS Insider reveals that the Auston Matthews extension might be a lot shorter than Leafs Nation may be comfortable with Will Auston Matthews end up signing a medium-term deal rather than a long-term deal on July 1st? | ||
| Yes, he'll want to cash in at least one more time | 337 | 60.1 % |
| No, he'll ink for 8 years. Let's not be silly. | 134 | 23.9 % |
| Honestly, I really have no idea | 90 | 16 % |
| List of polls | ||
