NHL Insider reveals that Auston Matthews going the route of John Tavares and Johnny Gaudreau is one of 4 realistic options
Auston Matthews leaving or staying in Toronto is a topic of conversation that has already been beaten into the dirt, yet one that is still interesting to discuss for those inside and outside of Leafs Nation. NHL insiders have had their way with reigning-MVP and whether or not he'll re-sign to stay in Toronto when his contract comes to an end at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.
Nick Kypreos decided to dip his toes back into the water and discussed how this post-season will not only impact the future of the franchise but will also have an impact on whether or not Matthews decides to extend long-term. Matthews is allowed to discuss an extension with the club as of July 1st of this year and as Kypreos points out, Matthews was able to avoid questions all season long from the media about that very topic with a simple response:
"I've loved my time here. I really love playing in the city of Toronto, I consider it home now," Matthews said in September.
"The city has embraced the players, embraced myself, my family. I have grown comfortable in my own skin here. It's not easy to do that at times. It's such a special place to play."
Matthews signed a 5-year deal in the winter of 2019 that was worth $58.195 million in it's entirety, with a $11.634 AAV. It was always a little odd that his contract would run directly into his first year of UFA eligibility, but nevertheless, he has played up to his lofty cap hit and that's not something many people can say with an $11.634M cap hit.
After scoring 60 goals and 106 points in 73 games last year, Matthews added 40 goals and 85 points in the same amount of games this year for a Maple Leafs team that is 4th best in the entire league. He has 188 goals and 337 points in 268 games during the length of his current contract and 299 goals and 542 points in just 480 games in his entire career with the Maple Leafs.
As simple as it sounds, Kypreos points out that a first round victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning would go a long way for both player and team. However, on the flip side of that same coin, a loss would be his 7th consecutive first round defeat that would most likely end Kyle Dubas' tenure as general manager, which could have a trickle-down effect for Matthews, according to the insider.
He points out that Matthews has 4 "real options" but not getting a contract done before the season begins is not an option for MLSE:
1) Sign a short-term contract.2) Sign a long-term deal.3) Stall and wait it out.4) Pull a Matthew Tkachuk and ask the Leafs to trade him this summer.
He mentions how the last 2 massive unrestricted free agents to go down the path of waiting things out instead of hammering down a deal before the season started were Johnny Gaudreau and John Tavares, both of whom departed for greener pastures.
His situation can't be likened to William Nylander from 2018 because he was a restricted free agent with very little leverage and while he could pull a Matthew Tkachuk and ask for a trade a year in advance, it's probably not an option the Maple Leafs want to admit to themselves but it would net them a large return that would certainly exceed what Calgary got for Tkachuk (Huberdeau, Weegar and multiple additional pieces) if they know the superstar does not want to return beyond next season.
It's all speculation until something gets hammered down but it's the biggest name on the biggest team in the biggest market in Canada and a playoff series victory would provide a huge boost for a variety of reasons. Not just to squash their drought, not just for Kyle Dubas' future, but also because of what it could mean for the Leafs as they look to extend Matthews this summer.
| POLL | ||
13 AVRIL | 628 ANSWERS NHL Insider reveals that Auston Matthews going the route of John Tavares and Johnny Gaudreau is one of 4 realistic options Which is the most likely outcome of the Matthews contract situation? | ||
| He re-signs long-term | 334 | 53.2 % |
| He re-signs short-term | 160 | 25.5 % |
| He's traded | 69 | 11 % |
| He waits and walks | 65 | 10.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
