Matthews comments on his contract status and his future in Toronto
It's already been a hot topic all summer long and will likely continue to be discussed and dissected throughout the season, but that will be done without Auston Matthews' making any comments about it. Obviously the first question Matthews was asked during his media availability on the first day of training camp was about his contract.
In a quick response, Matthews put his foot down and has shut the door on any future contract questions during the season saying, "I want to be clear about the contract stuff. I'm going to touch on it today and that's it. I'm focused on the season and we'll deal with it then. I love playing here, I consider it home now."
Matthews doesn't become a free agent for another 22 months and can't sign an extension until July 1 of next year anyways, so there is no point in continuously asking him the same question about it when there can't be any solution until July. He doesn't want it to be a distraction to him or the team and he has earned the respect of the media to not ask him anymore questions about it.
After Matthews said he considered Toronto home now, he was asked about why he considers it home, to which he replied, "The city has embraced me and my family. I've just grown comfortable in my own skin here, It's such a special place to play. It's a big honour to go out every night and wear the Maple Leaf on my chest."
It sure sounds like a guy that wants to leave right? Matthews is royalty in Toronto and the Leafs will do everything in their power to keep him in the blue and white for a very long time, but until he is eligible to sign an extension, he shouldn't have to answer the same questions over and over again about it. All he wants to do is focus on hockey and he should be able to do that.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 21 | 900 ANSWERS Matthews comments on his contract status and his future in Toronto Will Matthews sign an extension on July 1st 2023? | ||
| Yes | 526 | 58.4 % |
| No, he'll leave as a UFA in 2024 | 146 | 16.2 % |
| He'll sign, but not on July 1st | 228 | 25.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
