Lets talk about Auston Matthews.

[ashs]

Just turned on the Fan590 to hear George Rusic state "No way AM signs for less than $12M". I don't want to call him an idiot but I find that hard to believe.

Maybe in his fa years.

 

[FlareKnight]

Still kind of amazing to remember that Matthews is a Leaf. Really glad we got lucky in that lotto and got this guy.

We'll see what his contract ends up looking like. But awesome that he's already this good and still on his entry level deal. Can't wait to see how good he gets down the road when he's really in his prime.

 

[ToneDog]

12 million?
what? rubles? pesos?
because it's not gonna be dollars.

LOL Good point. He is closer to being in the ballpark if he is talking CDN$

 

[IPS]

LOL Good point. He is closer to being in the ballpark if he is talking CDN$

You're crazy if you think he can't demand that money.

 

[ToneDog]

You're crazy if you think he can't demand that money.

Sure he can demand $12M USD but we are not talking about what he will ask for and what he will end up with. If he gets $12Mx8, prepare for the cap to be a big factor on who stays and who goes.

 

[IPS]

Sure he can demand $12M but we are not talking about what he will ask for and what he will end up with. If he gets $12Mx8, prepare for the cap to be a big factor on who stays and who goes.

If he gets $12M we're unfortunately going to have to part with some of the pieces further down the lineup. I'm guessing Kadri and Brown.

 

[ToneDog]

If he gets $12M we're unfortunately going to have to part with some of the pieces further down the lineup. I'm guessing Kadri and Brown.

I'd like to keep Kadri but I could live with that. Find a Kadri lite to play #3C with reduced minutes and increase JT and AM's minutes.

 

[Advanced stats]

You're crazy if you think he can't demand that money.

Demand and final price are much different.
In some weird way his agent could maybe twist and come in at 12.5.
Just like the leafs could come in at 9 million.
Than they meet in the middle

 

[diceman934]

If he gets $12M we're unfortunately going to have to part with some of the pieces further down the lineup. I'm guessing Kadri and Brown.

It would be Nylander as both Brown and Kadri are players who compete hard. Wonder how Mathews would like to play with Brown vs Nylander. As that would be communicated to him.

He is not getting 12m at all.

 

[The CyNick]

His contact will be very interesting. He's been held back from increasing his point total by ice time and injuries. His 5 on 5 game is almost second to none in the league. The real gap is his PP time and production compared to other elite stars.

I think Eichel is the absolute floor, but I see him netting out in the 10.5-12 range. If he wins a Hart Trophy this year, no reason he can't get McDavid money.

 

[7even]

It would be Nylander as both Brown and Kadri are players who compete hard. Wonder how Mathews would like to play with Brown vs Nylander. As that would be communicated to him.

He is not getting 12m at all.

False dilemma, just dump Zaitsev.

 

[IPS]

False dilemma, just dump Zaitsev.

Yeah but would you be ok with being that thin on RHD?

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Yeah but would you be ok with being that thin on RHD?

Zaitsev isn't good enough to play top 4 and is way overpaid to be on the bottom pairing. Unless he takes a big step forward this year, he has to go

 

[Stephen]

Zaitsev isn't good enough to play top 4 and is way overpaid to be on the bottom pairing. Unless he takes a big step forward this year, he has to go

Agreed.

 

[MyBudJT]

Zaitsev isn't good enough to play top 4 and is way overpaid to be on the bottom pairing. Unless he takes a big step forward this year, he has to go

You must have high expectations on what a Top 4 dman is... Zaitsev is a #4 now who can become a #3!

 

[diceman934]

False dilemma, just dump Zaitsev.

Possibly if Lilly progresses.

 

[kb]

Zaitsev isn't good enough to play top 4 and is way overpaid to be on the bottom pairing. Unless he takes a big step forward this year, he has to go

What about the broken foot he suffered in December that affected him all season long? No pass given for that?

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

What about the broken foot he suffered in December that affected him all season long? No pass given for that?

I can't really say for sure how much he was affected by that, as well as illness + his new child. What I do know is that he was completely unable to handle top 4 minutes last year. Maybe he shows that he can turn things around for next year, but if not then he should be shipped out

 

[kb]

I can't really say for sure how much he was affected by that, as well as illness + his new child. What I do know is that he was completely unable to handle top 4 minutes last year. Maybe he shows that he can turn things around for next year, but if not then he should be shipped out

It was a rough season all round for him, and you rightly pointed that out. The Leafs D is so much better if he even just returns to his rookie form. Now is not the time to be trading away RD. He gets a season to prove himself.

 

[rent free]

You must have high expectations on what a Top 4 dman is... Zaitsev is a #4 now who can become a #3!

He's a #5 with a little chance of becoming a #4. It's unlikely he gets dealt and if the leafs can trade him without getting any significant salary back, they should do it without any hesitation.

 

[7even]

Yeah but would you be ok with being that thin on RHD?

If the alternative is losing Nylander? Uh, yeah.

 

[MyBudJT]

He's a #5 with a little chance of becoming a #4. It's unlikely he gets dealt and if the leafs can trade him without getting any significant salary back, they should do it without any hesitation.

Okay, I’ll let the troll tell me about the player I watched every game last season... I’m not even sure you’re a Leafs fan...

A #5 would have even been worse than Zaitsev last season if put in the same situation. I don’t think people realize the tough minutes Zaitsev played last year, and pretty much adapting to a role he historically never had before...

 

[ToneDog]

Yeah but would you be ok with being that thin on RHD?

They can also move or let Gards walk. Many candidates that can be sacrificed if it comes to it.

 

[rent free]

Okay, I’ll let the troll tell me about the player I watched every game last season... I’m not even sure you’re a Leafs fan...

A #5 would have even been worse than Zaitsev last season if put in the same situation. I don’t think people realize the tough minutes Zaitsev played last year, and pretty much adapting to a role he historically never had before...

zaitsev's toiqoc was 4th among leaf defenders at even strength last season. it wasn't as hard as you think it was. he was terrible almost all season playing in that role. just because he's never played in a role before doesn't mean he is given the benefit of the doubt by being called a #4. if you post terrible results playing as a 2nd pair defender, then your not really a 2nd pair defender.

 

[Confucius]

zaitsev's toiqoc was 4th among leaf defenders at even strength last season. it wasn't as hard as you think it was. he was terrible almost all season playing in that role. just because he's never played in a role before doesn't mean he is given the benefit of the doubt by being called a #4. if you post terrible results playing as a 2nd pair defender, then your not really a 2nd pair defender.

didn't Zaitsev play more minutes per game than anyone else before his injury?