Yes, he took a risk signing Eichel to that contract but I think it’s one you’d have to be willing to take. For whatever reason Toronto wasn’t willing (or able) to get to 8 years before the season.
I won’t pin that completely on them as Matthews could have said since July 1st of last year that 8yrs is going to cost $xm and that hasn’t shifted.
Matthews is probably the better player (he’s at least accomplished more, albeit on a much better team), than Eichel. But when you look at it,
Eichel 8yrs/$10m per
Matthews 5yrs / $11.6m per
Eichel 231pt/257gm .90per
Matthews 178pt/182gm .98per
This is not some sort of high level analysis, but is it outlandish to believe that Eichel on a higher scoring team over the last 3.5yrs puts up a tenth of a point more per game?
I will concede, though, that I envy Toronto’s situation. They have three young players that any team would love to have locked up (or will be locked up) for at least half a decade + Tavares. Ultimately, they had to balance term vs salary but I can’t help to think that if I were a leafs fan I see this contract and go “welp, this sucks”, but then immediately go into “we are contending for a Cup every year for the next five years.”
They kicked the Can down the road and I can’t really blame them.
I agree with you on signing him early. I just don’t think you sign him early unless you know you are getting a great deal.
I would disagree on their stats. First, I don’t think the right measure, to call them even should be based on their career to date. I look at their rates before signing.
Eichel before his deal had .79 ppg, relatively poor first season, sub ppg second season.
Matthews was .91 ppg with similar injury misses. Won a major award, and his shooting percentage and eye test show him to be an elite scorer.
With hindsight, in year three, Matthews smokes Eichel. But with team differences it could be argued they would be closer.
Big picture I’m with you on the leafs. Envy.
I see posters poo pooing their fed depth for next year, and all I can think is what are they talking about???
Their top 9 is the best or 2nd in the league. Their 4th line is ok. It’s not filled with vet bums for next year.
And that’s with them riding out the last year of Marleau’s deal. If they keep him, he is still solid and can help balance out a young line. And if they can move him, they have tons of cap space all of sudden, without hurting their offense much.
It’s not like they can’t move Nylander for defense and cap space or fwd depth if they needed.
New evil empire with Muzzin in there to help ease their defensive woes.
