Speculation: Dubas on the potential offersheets

[Leaf Fans]

You actually believe him?? He's ****ting his pants thinking about it there's a reason both haven't signed yet. Marner and Mathews are getting paid and it will definitely affect the Leafs cap situation. If someone offers 12.5 plus and it's quite possible he has to be worried. I've read 14 plus per for Mathews but that's just silly he's not worth close to that in my opinion.

I believe him over some random person on a message board without any information about the situation.

 

[crowi]

I don't think leafs will have much problem signing their dudes, but I hope the talks have already begun.

They have some tied space like Marleau with NMC in there.

 

[Torontonian]

Arizona barley spends up to the cap floor every year, needing players like the Magic Man and other players that are "hurt" to get there.. You think Arizona is going to spend 14+ million on one player?

Everyone just says "Toronto players could get offer sheeted" because its Toronto, that's what generates clicks for websites etc, but if were being real here there are A LOT of quality players entering RFA this year... Matthews/Marner/Laine/Point/Aho/Rantanen/Boeser/Tkachuk/Mcavoy/Werneski/Provorov/Trouba.

If I was another team thinking about offering sheeting someone, I would try to target the smaller teams like Carolina and Columbus that might think twice about having to pay a player 10+ mill a year or whatever.

 

[belair]

I'll translate Dubas' managerial BS.

"Yes, it's possible either one of our RFAs could sign offer sheets this summer. If they did, it would create a significant financial challenge that no team is ever prepared for. I really hope none of our players choose that road."

Ca va?

 

[seanlinden]

Most players at 21 would probably think they have their whole career ahead of them and plenty of time to chase a ring. Personally think Matthews is in a great situation in Toronto but there are or will be plenty of teams that can make a huge pitch if he gets to July 1 (or takes a shorter deal to get to FA, etc). With the team currently constructed, say Toronto doesn't get out of the first round? Then he's on a team full of superstars that can't get out of the first round and are due salary. Is he going to pull a Tavares, take a sweetheart deal only to see the team not take the steps needed in order to get even better (related, Garth Snow is an idiot). Is Marner going to do that?

It is going to be an interesting offseason but (as I've stated in other threads) Toronto is in an envious position. They have a solid team, have assets and picks they can move if need be and still sign their core players in the offseason.

At 21, most players would absolutely believe they have a long career to chase a cup.

However, when you're giving up 8 years, it is a very large chunk of your prime.

Yes, they could go for shorter deals, but those often come with less dollars on an AAV basis, and give them much less security. Agents acting in a clients best interest would rarely pursue this type of deal -- better to take the security, especially with a good team, and chase more after you have the foundation.

 

[poolparty98]

Dubas is smart, Matthews has had a sensational career so far and deserves to be paid.

However, since he's been in the league he is 39th in scoring, 18 teams have players that have more points than him. Mcdavid has almost 100 more points than him, so ya he's been great but doubtful any nhl gm would offer sheet him, especially when you look at playoff performance and injury history. Teams won't be lining up to overpay him.

I agree with Dubas, he can sleep easy, he has nothing to worry about

 

[thunder16]

GM's are a revengeful bunch that's why you don't see offer sheets given out like candy, You offer sheet mine I offer sheet yours, it throws salaries totally out of whack. I don't think there is an owner out there willing to give Mathews 14 mill a year, I could be wrong but it's not the GM's money, it's the owners and that kind of money would need the permission of the owner. Just ask Melnyk if he'd give Mathews 14 mill? LOL.

 

[Prairie Habs]

Most hockey players don't operate with that mindset. It's always team awards, Stanley cup.

Matthews is going to be a VERY rich person by the time he's done playing. He's going to be a VERY rich person the second he signs his contract as it will include a ton of guaranteed money.

He can reasonably think to himself, if I have $50m after tax, Would I rather have have $60m, or a Stanley Cup ring?

Most players in that situation would take the ring.

You think a player doesn't care about an extra $10+ dollars? Have you ever heard of that Nylander fella?

If you had to pick between 7x15M to a random team or 8x11M to lose in the first round again with the Leafs is it really so clearly the second one?

 

[crowi]

You think a player doesn't care about an extra $10+ dollars? Have you ever heard of that Nylander fella?

If you had to pick between 7x15M to a random team or 8x11M to lose in the first round again with the Leafs is it really so clearly the second one?

That's laughable. A team that spends 15M on Matthews won't go anywhere either.

 

[82Ninety42011]

I believe him over some random person on a message board without any information about the situation.

Not to sound harsh but it be common sense to worry in my opinion.

 

[The Podium]

You think a player doesn't care about an extra $10+ dollars? Have you ever heard of that Nylander fella?

If you had to pick between 7x15M to a random team or 8x11M to lose in the first round again with the Leafs is it really so clearly the second one?

Losing in the first round to a presidents trophy winner and a higher seeded team (4th best in the league), is not a disappointment or evidence of a trend. They were the underdogs in both series...

 

[Prairie Habs]

That's laughable. A team that spends 15M on Matthews won't go anywhere either.

So would you rather lose in the first round for 11M or lose in the first round for 15M?

Also, a team like Carolina has the space to sign him without moving anything. If they can find a suitable puck stopper then adding Matthews would absolutely make them a contender. Maybe I just overvalue AM's contributions to a new team though, you're right in that he hasn't proven anything in the postseason.

 

[seanlinden]

You think a player doesn't care about an extra $10+ dollars? Have you ever heard of that Nylander fella?

If you had to pick between 7x15M to a random team or 8x11M to lose in the first round again with the Leafs is it really so clearly the second one?

Nylander was in a unique situation, being the 5th most valuable forward on the team. He had to get his dollars, because there was a substantial chance he'd be traded anyways. Having a familial reputation was likely an influence as well.

With Matthews, it will not be a good team offering up $15m, and that $15m will help ensure they won't be a good team for the majority of his deal.

Think about that for a second -- McDavid is the best player in the league, making $12.5m. Matthews isn't, and for the same time period as McDavid, a team is going to give up $15m and 4 1st rounders for Matthews.

 

[Prairie Habs]

Losing in the first round to a presidents trophy winner and a higher seeded team (4th best in the league), is not a disappointment or evidence of a trend. They were the underdogs in both series...

And as long as Tampa remains in our division you'll always have that great excuse for playoff failures. You should expect to play good teams in the playoffs, that's kind of the point.

 

[Nizdizzle]

You think a player doesn't care about an extra $10+ dollars? Have you ever heard of that Nylander fella?

If you had to pick between 7x15M to a random team or 8x11M to lose in the first round again with the Leafs is it really so clearly the second one?

Ooh watch it, your ignorance is showing.

 

[crowi]

So would you rather lose in the first round for 11M or lose in the first round for 15M?

Also, a team like Carolina has the space to sign him without moving anything. If they can find a suitable puck stopper then adding Matthews would absolutely make them a contender. Maybe I just overvalue AM's contributions to a new team though, you're right in that he hasn't proven anything in the postseason.

You definitely do overvalue his contributions. It's a team game after all (news?).

Carolina's new owner also won't pay that kind of money, that's an unrealistic comment. Not to mention they have Aho and others to sign themselves.

PS. I didn't even understand your first comment there as it made no sense to me.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Zero time? He might want to spend some time on it and sign them. No?

 

[Morbo]

Every time I hear Dubas he sounds so defensive. Insecure of his own abilities maybe?

He can be if you want him to be. Just wish hard enough.

 

[Smartguy]

GMs have made worse decisions than making Auston Matthews the highest paid player in the league.

Would Dubas trade Matthews for four first rounders right now?

I find it hilarious I’m reading this in a leafs thread, granted majority of them were the ones “laughing” at the oilers for signing Mcdavid for 12.5 and Drai for 8.5.

Unless your letting the elite walk for as you pointed out, a lot less value, your virtually signing them for what they want. I will also be shocked if they take much of a discount, maybe a mil like Mcdavid did

 

[The Podium]

And as long as Tampa remains in our division you'll always have that great excuse for playoff failures. You should expect to play good teams in the playoffs, that's kind of the point.

Yes, playing good teams in the playoffs is the point. But a young team with no expectations losing to the presidents trophy winner is in no way a disappointment, and a #7 seed in the league losing to the #4 seed in game 7 is not a failure. Neither are suggestive of a trend, or an inability to get out of the 1st round.

Washington, SJS, etc. losing regularly to worse teams in the past is a trend.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

Biznasty might be a fun ambassador to the team. He isn't Drake...doesn't have the cheddar to slide under the table to sign players.

 

[thunder16]

You think a player doesn't care about an extra $10+ dollars? Have you ever heard of that Nylander fella?

If you had to pick between 7x15M to a random team or 8x11M to lose in the first round again with the Leafs is it really so clearly the second one?

Yep it was Micheal that did the negotiating, it was all over the sports stations or did you miss it?

 

[Prairie Habs]

Yep it was Micheal that did the negotiating, it was all over the sports stations or did you miss it?

So you're assuming that AM will negotiate his own contract and leave money on the table? My bet would be that he has an agent do it (and the agent will also want lots of money, just like Willy's dad).

 

[thunder16]

So you're assuming that AM will negotiate his own contract and leave money on the table? My bet would be that he has an agent do it (and the agent will also want lots of money, just like Willy's dad).

Willy had no say in it! Daddy was in total control. I'm sure Mathews parent may give advice but doubt they will control the negotiations. We will wait and find out wont we!

 

[Djp]

Yes he did. However, before signing the extension, he won the Hart trophy. He could have had his choice of destination and dollars. He elected to stay at a reasonable contract which reflected his value within the league.

McDavid has competent representation. Guaranteed that before they gave him the ok to sign the deal that gave up the next 8 years (and likely most productive of his career), they discussed with him the option of waiting a year, and pursuing a more desirable place to play, with a bigger contract.

Ultimately, to do an offer sheet, Matthews would have to be somebody who is prepared to go to a team that is going to make him the highest paid player in the league, and give up first round picks in 4 out of 5 years for the privilege of doing so.

Not only is it a horrendously bad idea for that team, but it puts Matthews in the position of being the sole reason why his team cannot get success -- they're overpaying him, and they've cut out their best chances at cheaper supporting casts.

McDavid looked at that same prospect -- and while there probably wasnt an offer sheet out there which Edmonton wasnt going to match, he chose to sign a deal that was going to make him the highest paid player in the league (as he deserved to be winning the Hart in his 2nd year), but also at a term that would hopefully allow the oilers to surround him with cup-winning talent.

Matthews has the luxury of being in Toronto, where they've already got many of the elements they probably need to win a cup, so it's less of a hope.

In today's cap world, offer sheets only make sense for guys who are in marginalized situations where they are being undervalued by their existing team. Nylander could have been an example, but Dubas caved and gave him top dollar.

The proper way to offer sheet AM is to give him 4 yrs making him a UFA in 2023.

You sign Jaoanen for 4yr $4M per contract costing just a 2nd.