Do you think the Leafs would even make the playoffs without Matthews, TO's drafting record has been tepid at best and players such as Matthews enable TO to be an interesting place to sign for UFAs.
His shadow is quite all encompassing along with Marner's and JT's.
Being able to perform in the playoffs is important but not so much if the team can't even make the playoffs.
If the goal is just make the playoffs and then whatever... then sure pay the core 4 whatever they want.
If the goal is to build a team that has the potential to make noise in the playoffs and go deep; and win a cup in one of those runs then you can't bendover to them.
I compared other teams' core and their team AAV to what Leafs are spending (will potentially spend); Leafs are one of the worst teams in terms of "bang for the buck"
So here is what the comparison looks like Assuming Leafs have to go through ECF I will focus on Atlantic Division and handpick Metro teams who I think may end up in ECF again next season ATLANTIC LEAFS: Matthews (11.6), Tavares, (11), Marner (11), Nylander (7), Rielly (7.5) Total: 48 million...
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The question is what do you expect as a fan? If you just want to make the playoffs then you have nothing to complain; if you want to see team succeed in playoffs, go deep and get a cup or two out of the runs then you shouldn;'t be happy.
There is 7 years worth of evidence of what this core does in the playoffs. I am not sure what more evidence would people even want.
And to answer your question; yes Leafs can make playoffs without Matthews. There are 8 teams that make the playoffs (3 from each division and 2 wildcard spots). Leafs can clearly make the playoffs sans Matthews if that is the only goal. (Leafs will have 11 AAV they can spend wisely instead of paying it to one guy).