Speculation: Does Matthews' injury bring down his contract?

[FissionFire]

It won’t affect it at all. If the Leafs try to lowball him some other team will just swoop in with a huge offer sheet that Toronto will match. One way or another he’s going to get every penny he wants.

 

[Allan92]

I understand the circumstances and that it is what is and the Leafs have to pay him but, the fact remains, anything more than 11 is and will be an overpayment and a detriment to the Leafs long term team building

 

[John Bruins]

Still hasn't even hit the 82 game mark and won't again this year (not his fault) but do you see this lowering his salary demands/expectations?

I say No, players get hurt its just a part of the game.

 

[Holymakinaw]

If it was a different caliper player... yes the repeated injury would. But it’s Matthews, he will get the same

Caliper? Seriously?

 

[Mickey Marner]

If the Leafs won’t give him 12x8, someone else will. No reason for him to settle for less.

No one else can give him 8 years, or, I imagine 80+ million in signing bonuses.

 

[Brock Radunske]

With those glass shoulders, if he wants any more than $5 mil/yr long-term, the Leafs should probably just walk away.

 

[yianik]

No.

 

[Kamiccolo]

With those glass shoulders, if he wants any more than $5 mil/yr long-term, the Leafs should probably just walk away.

Did Laine ever have a shoulder injury? I don't think so bud. Ship that bum out of town.

 

[Connor McConnor]

Sure you can. He’s an RFA. When’s he’s a UFA he’ll get paid, just like Tavares did.

He also sees 2 other Cs around him get 10-12.5m. He's better than Eichel and not as good as McDavid which would logically put him in the middle around 11m. Then you add the rising cap and $11-12m is clearly his asking price. Tavares was a 28 year old. If you are getting 8 years from Matthews he's going to make as much as Tavares that's for sure.

 

[Kingsfan1]

The way I see it is Leafs have 3 years to win a cup before they reach cap hell and can’t add depth to their lineup. But once players win their contracts go up either way

 

[Canucks1096]

No. Leafs have no leverage here. If Matthews wants 12+ someone is going to give him 12+ and he knows it. And the Leafs know it. Either they cough up or he leaves. And I don't think forcing Matthews to sit is going to go over as well as forcing Nylander to sit.

That being said he may not be looking for 12 or 12+ I have no idea. Maybe he'll be fine matching Tavares. But it's completely up to him.

I don't think so. He is not a ufa. Don't think teams will want to lose four 1st round picks. There is a reason why there are hardly any offer sheets

 

[A1LeafNation]

He also sees 2 other Cs around him get 10-12.5m. He's better than Eichel and not as good as McDavid which would logically put him in the middle around 11m. Then you add the rising cap and $11-12m is clearly his asking price. Tavares was a 28 year old. If you are getting 8 years from Matthews he's going to make as much as Tavares that's for sure.

The argument is that Buffalo and Edmonton had to overpay because no one wants to live in those cities.

 

[Halla]

he'll just say look how many guys i am outscoring while only playing 75% of the games.

ok so then the leafs can point to all the guys he isnt outscoring to lower his AAV? works both ways

Matthews is gonna be 8 years x 11 mil

 

[Halla]

Nope and I don’t have faith that he’ll be the type to take a discount. I’m pretty sure one of his main arguments for a fat contract is going to be his PPG.

yueah..that always ends up well. Matthew sprobably just lost his shot at 12.

8 x 11

 

[VeeMerk]

Hypothetically if the Leafs do think he has injury concerns, it will absolutely lower his value. The Leafs hold his rights for a while.
If another team (particularly that likely will finish outside the playoffs for the forseeable future) wants to offersheet Matthews for 12+ million and the Leafs think he has long-term injury concerns, they might take the 4 firsts.

Hypothetically, yes the leafs can think that his value decreased based on injury concerns. In reality, I doubt that is something Matthews or his agent will drop their price for in negotiations. I mean, I really hope they agree to a number that both works for TOR and gives Matthew a good value cause no matter the team, nobody wants to see one of their best players go.

I usually hate the idea of offer sheets cause it's a lot to give up but I think giving up 4 1st round picks for a talent like Matthews may be worth it. However, TOR can fetch A LOT for him if they elected to trade him so I don't even know what the better option is here.

Let's just hope everything works out for the best

 

[2022 Stanley Cup]

IMO he loses a little bit of leverage to ask for top dollar but I don't think that the leafs will change their original offers. You don't do that to your franchise player. Still anything under 11.5m is likely a team friendly price.

 

[Connor McConnor]

The argument is that Buffalo and Edmonton had to overpay because no one wants to live in those cities.

I love it when Leaf fans just straight up lie. McDavid took less money than he could have and it's reported Eichel did the same. So based on your logic, Matthews should take 8 x 9m since that's his true value and he loves Toronto

 

[Brunomics]

It's all about what Mathews wants. He can play ball with the leafs and get 8 x 11. But if he wants to get paid he can easily sign an offer sheet for 7 x 14 as there are teams out there willing to pay. As for the extra year I don't think it matters because his next contract will be huge also. So if he's about the money an extra 21 million over 7 isn't too shabby.

You can say "what about the first rounders" but the Leafs would be luck to get a player that is 60% of what Mathews is. He may be a RFA but he holds all the cards money wise.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Leafs should test it and not sign him before July 1.

Mostly since I can't wait to see if he signs any of the offers other teams will definitely give him.

 

[A1LeafNation]

I love it when Leaf fans just straight up lie. McDavid took less money than he could have and it's reported Eichel did the same. So based on your logic, Matthews should take 8 x 9m since that's his true value and he loves Toronto

Proof they took less other than the GMs spinning it to make them look good?

 

[wabagee]

If I was Matthews I’d be scared that my next game could be my last and want to sign as soon as possible.