If AZ made a 16m offer sheet for Matthews should the Leafs match it? Please read OP first.

[LeafsNation75]

Oh, so there were no rumblings from your fanbase of how they want to "come home" then and that was the single argument? The point still stands that its the same exact argument used by you guys and yet, apparently it is not allowed to be used with Auston Matthews. Weird. There were tons of threads about Stamkos and how he was going to sign in Toronto. Yet we cannot discuss the possibility of Auston going to Arizona......

If you notice a lot of the comments by your fanbase at the end says things like "End of Story" or "Not happening, Period" seems like they want to shut the conversation down because it touches a nerve or something.

With the exception of a few Leafs fans who wanted them to sign Stamkos the majority of people also said why would he want to leave Tampa since they had just come off a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2015 and an Eastern Conference Final appearance in 2016. Toronto was just coming off finishing last place overall in 2016 and despite having already drafted Matthews and Marner, they had yet to make their NHL debuts and no one thought that the next season they would have made the playoffs.

There was also not tons of threads about Stamkos coming home, it was more speculation from the media like when Stamkos liked that tweet from Bob McKenzie speculating on the chances of him singing with the Leafs that got people talking.

Plus you are also ignoring that Stamkos was very close to becoming a UFA in 2016. Matthews could become an RFA and the Leafs haters on HF seem to think he will want to leave Toronto after this season since they are convinced he will sign an offer sheet. If Matthews signs before July 1, 2019 he can never become an RFA and won't get an offer sheet.

 

[Crazy Cizikas]

Just quit while your behind. Money (which Arizona doesn’t have) is only part of the equation in pro sports. Winning and competitiveness is a huge part of it as well. The best players play to win. They will make tons of money either way.

Matthews endorsement money is massive too in Toronto. Don’t think Porsche would be calling him if he played in Arizona where no one knows what a hockey puck looks like.

You make it seem like the the Maple Leafs have a history of winning.