NHL Insider believes there's only one way Leafs and Matthews won't get a deal done
It's been a hot topic since Leaf training camp opened two days ago and it will continue to be one until July 1 next summer when Auston Matthews is eligible to sign an extension. Matthews addressed his contract status on the first day of camp during opening media availability and put the media on notice that he won't be talking about it anymore this season.
That won't stop the Toronto media from discussing and dissecting what the future holds for both Matthews and the Leafs over the next 10 months or more. So much so that Elliotte Friedman discussed it on his 32 Thoughts podcast.
"I think this. Unless the Maple Leafs really go off the rails this year, like really go off the rails I think he's staying. I think the question is how long? The number is gonna be the number. If he walks in there and says i want $12.634M. They're gonna give him $12.634M. Like it's gonna be a massive number & they know it's gonna be a massive number. To me the question is term," said Friedman.
It's no secret the Leafs will hand Matthews a blank cheque, and he will undoubtedly become the league's highest paid player by a long shot over Nathan MacKinnon. Like Friedman said, the money is no issue as the Leafs will have ample cap space by the time his extension would kick in, it's about how long Matthews wants to sign.
Does he want another 5-year deal so he can sign a third maximum salary deal at the age of 31? Or does he want an 8-year deal to remain a Leaf until, ironically he's 34? Or is it somewhere in between? All those questions will be answered in 10 months or so come July 1.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 24 | 189 ANSWERS NHL Insider believes there's only one way Leafs and Matthews won't get a deal done Will Auston Matthews win his third consecutive Rocket Richard Trophy this season? | ||
| Yes | 156 | 82.5 % |
| No | 33 | 17.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
