Matthews left some money on the table in order, settling for a $13.25M AAV, while some reports had him firmly positioned to be able to ask for as much as $15M per season on his new deal. More recent reports from some of the league's top insiders even suggested that Matthews' AAV was likely going to be closer to the $14M mark, so $13.25M should certainly be viewed as a win for the Leafs.
On Thursday, the Leafs organization decided to drop a nice little video compilation filled with some of Matthews' best highlights in honour of his new deal. You can check it out below:
Matthews is coming into the 2023-24 season 100% healthy and will not have to endure a late start or any rehab due to the offseason surgery that he had endured last summer with his wrist. I like his chances of returning to form and chasing that elusive 60-goal plateau once again, as well as eclipsing 100 points for the 2nd time in his career. More than anything else, though, I'm just happy to know that Matthews genuinely does love being in Toronto and embraces what it is to be a Maple Leaf.
POLL | ||
AOUT 25 | 464 ANSWERS Leafs organization honours Matthews with video salute following his new 4-year extension with the team Will Auston Matthews score 60 goals or more in any of the next 5 seasons? | ||
Yes | 354 | 76.3 % |
No | 110 | 23.7 % |
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