Insider reveals what the Leafs' current struggles could mean for Auston Matthews come contract negotiation time
Not eligible to sign an extension until July 1, 2023, Auston Matthews put all contract questions to bed on opening day of training camp a few weeks ago. He made it known that he would answer contract questions on that day and that day only for the season, but that hasn't stopped hockey reporters from speculating and guessing his and the Leafs' next move.
If the Leafs are doing well, reporters say he's going to re-sign. If the Leafs are not playing well, in large, they believe it will be tough to keep him around. Around and around the media will go until July 1st, when Matthews is eligible to begin negotiating his next deal. Elliotte Friedman was on "The Jeff Marek Show" this week and says that, even with the team's recent struggles, he believes Matthews will re-sign.
Friedman said, "I think he's re-signing in Toronto, I don't necessarily think it will be a long-term extension but I think he will extend, but my caveat always was, the big concern is what if this thing goes off the rails?"
Friedman makes two interesting points; One - Matthews could opt for another 4/5-year deal to allow him to cash in one more time at the age of 30. The second point is that if the Leafs absolutely flounder this season or next, is "the process" still going to be enough to convince him to sign an extension?
Regardless, we won't have any definitive answers until July 1, 2023 at the earliest anyways. So for now, let's hope Matthews catches fire and gives us some highlight reel goals and some Leafs wins to talk about instead.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 1 | 318 ANSWERS Insider reveals what the Leafs' current struggles could mean for Auston Matthews come contract negotiation time Will Matthews re-sign with the Leafs in July? | ||
| Yes | 167 | 52.5 % |
| No | 106 | 33.3 % |
| Not this summer, but likely before summer 2024 | 45 | 14.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
