Of those 5 teams, which one would you sign with if you're Matthews?

[Hockey Know it all]

It's just my opinion. Michigan is a decent state, but Detroit isn't a city on the top of many peoples' lists.

Keep your opinion to yourself, it’s not a good look.

 

[I am not exposed]

not voting because he is 100% resigning with the Leafs.

Shouldn't that actually make you vote?!?!

The word I think you were looking for is re-signing...

 

[SpezDispenser]

None of those.

 

[wetcoast]

5 very unattractive options. I voted Arizona just cause at least he’d be home.

Seriously LA or Detroit look pretty good for when he comes up as a FA in 24.

 

[Voight]

What if there are 2 more first round exits?

In Yzermans first 10 years the Wings didn't accomplish much in the post season (made it out of the first round twice) but he never pushed to leave. Avs didn't break out until Sakics 8th year; he stayed put.

Players want to win, sure, but they also know it can take time.

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

I'd go with Anaheim or Seattle.

 

[BeatenLikeRentedMule]

If he's wired the way I think he is. Toronto. You make more money and it means more to win here than anywhere else.

Winning a Cup in Toronto would make you a literal hockey legend. A Toronto Cup would be the equivalent of the Cubs World Series ring.

If he just wants to chase money, it'd also be Toronto. Matthews makes an additional $4 million on endorsement deals.

If he wants to go home, Arizona obviously.

If he wants to live in a city that is great for the wealthy but be anonymous while doing so LA or NYC.

Those other cities in the poll make zero sense.

What would it mean to him since he's American? Endorsements in a small nation mean nothing and he's taxed on it.

 

[snag]

In Yzermans first 10 years the Wings didn't accomplish much in the post season (made it out of the first round twice) but he never pushed to leave. Avs didn't break out until Sakics 8th year; he stayed put.

Players want to win, sure, but they also know it can take time.

I know....my comment was a bit of commentary on people spouting off about McDavid.

 

[biturbo19]

Again-

I lived in metro Detroit my whole life. It is not a shit hole. That narrative is old and needs to die.

Even if it was all a shithole, don't most of the Wings players just end up living in like Ann Arbor and stuff anyway? Which is widely regarded as a pretty nice place to be?


Anyway. I'd go with the Red Wings out of these teams. They've got a lot of up and coming talent and feel like they're on a good track with a pretty promising plan for the future. Familiar place after his time with the USNTDP. Historic franchise. Decent place to live, in a real "hockey market" but not as nuts as Toronto. A franchise that's shown it can be committed to spending what it takes to be a contender.

But he may want to move somewhere sunny and warm. Who knows. Maybe trying to revitalize hockey in the desert is something important to him. Maybe he wants to be a role model for kids coming up playing hockey in Arizona. Be part of something there. But until that franchise is less of a rolling dumpster fire, and actually gets their arena on a garbage dump built or whatever...it's hard to view as a real serious consideration.

 

[Voight]

Even if it was all a shithole, don't most of the Wings players just end up living in like Ann Arbor and stuff anyway? Which is widely regarded as a pretty nice place to be?


Anyway. I'd go with the Red Wings out of these teams. They've got a lot of up and coming talent and feel like they're on a good track with a pretty promising plan for the future. Familiar place after his time with the USNTDP. Historic franchise. Decent place to live, in a real "hockey market" but not as nuts as Toronto. A franchise that's shown it can be committed to spending what it takes to be a contender.

But he may want to move somewhere sunny and warm. Who knows. Maybe trying to revitalize hockey in the desert is something important to him. Maybe he wants to be a role model for kids coming up playing hockey in Arizona. Be part of something there. But until that franchise is less of a rolling dumpster fire, and actually gets their arena on a garbage dump built or whatever...it's hard to view as a real serious consideration.

Believe Bloomfield Hills is where a lot of Detroit pro sports players reside.

 

[CanadienShark]

Detroit would be the best situation, but very unlikely he'd sign there.

XXXX - Matthews - Raymond
XXXX - Larkin - XXXXX

Edvinsson - Seider

Cossa

That's one hell of a core to build around.

 

[SoupNazi]

Since acquiring a shit-ton of picks, and by the time Matthews' signs with them should be ready to compete.

That would require them first to start hitting on those picks, and that's not a given.

 

[CanadienShark]

What would it mean to him since he's American? Endorsements in a small nation mean nothing and he's taxed on it.

Toronto would be in the top 5 largest cities in the USA. You think that's small?

And being a legend in the city has nothing to do with nationality. Two swings with two misses there.

 

[MessierII]

Whoever drafts bedard

 

[North Cole]

I think he resigns, but to humour the thread - LA. It's close enough to his home, they are somewhat competitive, and it's a destination city.

 

[BeatenLikeRentedMule]

Toronto would be in the top 5 largest cities in the USA. You think that's small?

And being a legend in the city has nothing to do with nationality. Two swings with two misses there.

Leaf legacy means nothing to him, just saying. And taxes are crazy there too.

 

[CartographerNo611]

Arizona because Arizona is an awesome state to live at. Seattle and California are expensive. Detroit has Eminem and not much else.

 

[CanadienShark]

Leaf legacy means nothing to him, just saying. And taxes are crazy there too.

You're still missing the point.

 

[Puckstop40]

Growing up in Orange County, I’m biased and would choose there. If you have the money it’s pretty hard to beat the lifestyle. Anaheim has a young team that will be up and coming too.

 

[Hasbro]

I'd say Arizona, but it would be contingent on the franchise stabilizing by then.

Seattle's out because he clearly wants to maintain his tan.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

Matthews loves the fun lifestyle that comes with being a superstar. He will only ever get that in a big city where things are happening constantly.

That's why I laugh at the idea of him going to Arizona. It's never happening.

If he doesn't re-sign, I would imagine LA, New York, or Vegas would be near the top of his list. His personality is one of the reasons Toronto is likely his favorite fit. He's an absolute rockstar in the city and playing in one of the biggest hockey markets on the planet.

 

[dukeofjive]

LA or Vegas if he does not resign in toronto.

 

[Adele Dazeem]

That would require them first to start hitting on those picks, and that's not a given.

Of course my friend, but come on they can't be that incompetent with that many picks, that high

LA or Vegas if he does not resign in toronto.

Vegas is a solid choice, but they have Eichel. If they shed Karlsson and Pacioretty it might be possible.

 

[Byron Bitz]

Which attractive places would you have listed or added?

LA, DET, ANA and SEA will have some high end prospects to grow with, also SEA has tax benefits.
He'd be a GOD in Arizona and have a brand new castle to play in.

Arizona might not even have a team anymore by the time Matthews hits free agency. Why would he want to go play in that trash arena for a team that’s poorly managed and could get sold at any moment. Matthews can’t speak French so I doubt he would want to play in Quebec City.

 

[McVespa99]

Out of these choices he would choose LA. He thinks he is a pretty boy and would fancy himself as a star there.