Barring Injury, How Long Does Matthews Stay a Leaf?

[Goose]

Barring injury (knock on wood), how long do you see Auston staying in Toronto? I don't have much a sense of his commitment to the franchise from the clips I've seen of him. Don't know if I see him spending his entire career in the Blue and White (though it would be awesome to have another Sundin-type tenure).

Just curious how people see his career with the Leafs playing out.

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[WTFMAN99]

Assume he's here for his career until you have a reason to doubt it. Guys didn't want to leave here. Americans Kessel and JVR wanted or want to sign long term contracts here. Toronto has historically not had a hard time keeping guys once they are here.

 

[MR4]

Tbh I'd probably expect him to play in Arizona for a season or two in the twilight of his career, well if there's still an ARI team when it comes

 

[Darcy Tucker]

He will play here till his early/mid 30s then probably try to put some years in for Arizona.

 

[DarkKnight]

He will play into his 50’s as a Leaf. Book it.

 

[Morbo]

Leaf for life.

I have to think now that we finally have a player this good drop into our laps we'll be smart enough to keep him.

 

[A4T1L6]

He will be a Shark next year

 

[Rob Brown]

I think it's clear he wants to win here. He has tons of support with Babcock, Shanny etc., he's the face of the franchise and is complemented nicely by Nylander, Marner, Rielly etc. I think he sees the opportunity and I doubt he has any desire to leave any time soon.

 

[Nineteen67]

I’m expecting he’ll only sign one more contract in Toronto then it’s off to California or Tampa.

 

[93LEAFS]

Leaf for atleast very long-term. How many players have left a club in their prime since the salary cap was implemented?

Off the ice, I can't think of anywhere he can make more money, outside of maybe NYR if leads them to a cup. He already has a sizeable deal with Scotia, and I don't think it will be long before he has a Bell or Rogers one (probably the same one McDavid got as they can justify it for market appeal), McDonald's/Tim Hortons, and a Canadian Tire/Sport Check.

If he develops into a top 5 player in the league, he will get a couple big deals. That's before factoring in, that Leafs legends makes 100 to 200 thousand a year (Clark and Sittler) doing golf appearences for charity, paid speaking events, golf tournament appearences, etc if he wants to settle within driving distance of the city.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Aw I wish I’d read all the options. Would’ve gone with the he last one.

 

[Voodoo Child]

He either sticks for life or pulls a Sundin in like 15 years...not like we can't surround him with talent or pay him.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Leaf for atleast very long-term. How many players have left a club in their prime since the salary cap was implemented?

Off the ice, I can't think of anywhere he can make more money, outside of maybe NYR if leads them to a cup. He already has a sizeable deal with Scotia, and I don't think it will be long before he has a Bell or Rogers one (probably the same one McDavid got as they can justify it for market appeal), McDonald's/Tim Hortons, and a Canadian Tire/Sport Check.

If he develops into a top 5 player in the league, he will get a couple big deals. That's before factoring in, that Leafs legends makes 100 to 200 thousand a year (Clark and Sittler) doing golf appearences for charity, paid speaking events, golf tournament appearences, etc if he wants to settle within driving distance of the city.

Could easily see him sticking around Toronto a bit post-career. He's put in some serious time at sick kids hospital.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I’m expecting he’ll only sign one more contract in Toronto then it’s off to California or Tampa.

Umm... you're wrong. He will stay a Leaf for life. Leafs can pay him, this is a great city and he is a God here, why would he leave?

 

[PromisedLand]

Who is this Auston Matthews the OP is talking about?

 

[Stephen]

He could basically be the NHL's Kobe Bryant, one of the biggest stars in the biggest market, having a ton of success.

Why leave the biggest stage for something worse.

 

[Leafblooded]

Who is this Auston Matthews the OP is talking about?

Alzheimer's is a bitch

 

[lebdafor norris]

Who is this Auston Matthews the OP is talking about?

He is the goal scoring winger the leafs traded 2 top 10 picks + a 2nd round pick for.

 

[LeafsNation75]

I'm going with he's a Maple Leaf for the rest of his career.

 

[Nithoniniel]

Well franchise players generally stay with their team through most of their career, so that's a good bet. What happens at the end of his career is a bit up in the air though.

 

[Nineteen67]

Umm... you're wrong. He will stay a Leaf for life. Leafs can pay him, this is a great city and he is a God here, why would he leave?

Have you ever been to Tampa? Or even Nashville for that matter?

 

[HamiltonNHL]

He moves back home to warm Arizona to be with his Dad when he’s done hockey in Toronto

 

[Thissiteisgarbage]

Until 2020 when he signs onto the new XFL for one MILLION dollars.

 

[Spirit of 67]

A Leaf for all eternity.

 

[Buds17]

The team obviously still has unfinished business at this (early) point. He's a franchise level talent, so I'd expect him to remain consistently upper tier throughout his career. As long as he'd want to be a Leaf, I'd hope we'd want the same.