Rumor: Matthews and Leafs discussing contract (mod post #605)

[Kamiccolo]

Matthews: Contract talks with Maple Leafs are underway

Contract talks between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews are underway, the star forward told Sportsnet's Luke Fox.
Matthews still has one year remaining on his entry-level contract, which will pay him $925,000 in 2018-19. He will then be a restricted free agent after next season and has been eligible for a contract extension since July 1, 2018.
It's unclear how much Matthews will be paid, but an eight-year deal with a cap hit somewhere between Jack Eichel's $10 million and Connor McDavid's $12.5 million seems realistic.

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[Kcoyote3]

Matthews will take a 6x6 deal because best team, best city, best life.

 

[34]

It is a done deal! Matthews is locking into Toronto for the next decade!

 

[Kamiccolo]

Matthews will take a 6x6 deal because best team, best city, best life.

That would be incredible.

 

[jimslob]

Matthews will take a 6x6 deal because best team, best city, best life.

Which Team? Which City?

 

[Kamiccolo]

Which Team? Which City?

He seems to like it if he is extended.. And Tavares liked it enough to come here. Can't be that bad man.

 

[Paris in Flames]

Curious that he would open dialogue now. Thought it only make sense for him and Marner to wait.

Though....I guess Marner has a lot more to gain by a big season while Matthews will probably get a similar contract now to what he would get if he put up 100 points next year.

 

[ffh]

He seems to like it if he is extended.. And Tavares liked it enough to come here. Can't be that bad man.

bozak a jvr left so how good can it be.

 

[A1LeafNation]

8years x 10m

 

[bossram]

I feel like he'll settle at 11 million. Be co-faces-of-the-franchise with Tavares, at an equal AAV.

 

[Baksfamous112]

8years x 10m

Most likely 11x8

 

[jetsforever]

probably 10-11M

 

[93LEAFS]

bozak a jvr left so how good can it be.

Well, neither were extended serious contract offers.

 

[A1LeafNation]

bozak a jvr left so how good can it be.

They were sheltered their last year and not negotiated with for extensions..

 

[Saitama]

Good luck Leafs fans! Hopefully it's a nice long contract on the lower end of that range!

 

[A1LeafNation]

Most likely 11x8

Rfa deal vs ufa deal.

Remember this staff negotiated the Rielly and Kadri and Andersen rfa deals too.

 

[93LEAFS]

As for the contract, I expect 11X8, but the Leafs may be willing to do things to get it down which other NHL teams can't or won't do.

For example, if the Leafs gave the exact same term and total money Eichel got, but paid mostly up front, with almost none of his money in yearly salary but in signing bonus, for anyone who has competent money management and investors would be much better off. A dollar today is worth more than a dollar in 5 years. Its why while JT and Doughty's deal are almost identical for the first 7 years in total money paid, that JT's contract is probably significantly more valuable to anyone who has competent money management.

For example, if the NHL is on strike or in a lockout in 2021 Eichel only gets 3/4th of his salary, Leafs would probably fully guarantee that year with a pittance of a yearly salary of 600k (pittance in NHL terms). Eichel gets 10m this year, and pretty much 10m every season. The Leafs could probably pay Matthews 45 million in the first 3 years.

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

He seems to like it if he is extended.. And Tavares liked it enough to come here. Can't be that bad man.

Tavares is from the Toronto area, Of course it made sense for him to come home. Just like Trouba coming home to Detroit in 2020.

 

[DistantThunderRep]

He doesn't seem like the type to try to gouge Toronto. If he wants Toronto to win, he might take a bridge. Would help the franchise get some more pieces to win. The problem that may arise, is that his contract will give a rough idea to Marner and Nylander what they are worth to the team. The higher Matthews signs, the higher Marner and Nylander come in. So hopefully he does the team a solid and doesn't take a "Hometown discount" like McDavid did and pretty much aim for max contract.

 

[JadedLeaf]

Anything under 11 is perfectly fine by me.

 

[Yatzhee]

8 x 12 isn't unreasonable.
Tavares and Mathews are going to eat up 25% or more of their cap. Elite talents to be sure, but hockey is a team sport, and that team includes more than just offense.

 

[BAM]

But i thought he was going to go to Arizona???

 

[Yatzhee]

He doesn't seem like the type to try to gouge Toronto. If he wants Toronto to win, he might take a bridge. Would help the franchise get some more pieces to win. The problem that may arise, is that his contract will give a rough idea to Marner and Nylander what they are worth to the team. The higher Matthews signs, the higher Marner and Nylander come in. So hopefully he does the team a solid and doesn't take a "Hometown discount" like McDavid did and pretty much aim for max contract.

This is fantasy. The NHLPA isn't going to let elite talent drive down contract prices.
Bridge deal? Get serious.

 

[lifelonghockeyfan]

He doesn't seem like the type to try to gouge Toronto. If he wants Toronto to win, he might take a bridge. Would help the franchise get some more pieces to win. The problem that may arise, is that his contract will give a rough idea to Marner and Nylander what they are worth to the team. The higher Matthews signs, the higher Marner and Nylander come in. So hopefully he does the team a solid and doesn't take a "Hometown discount" like McDavid did and pretty much aim for max contract.

Bridging doesn't help the overall costs in future years. I can't see Matthews who is about to his life changing contract "will take one for the team". Why should he?

 

[A1LeafNation]

FYI ballparks:

Nylander 7x7 expiring 2025
Marner 7x7 expiring 2026
Matthews 8x10 expiring 2027