exactly.
and. let's just look at the worst case scenario. what would
have to happen for Matthews to want to investigate even contemplating Free Agency?
1: We
suck bananas (like not making the playoffs 3 of the 5 years)
2: we never make it out of the 1st round in the eight years here's here.
3: he hates Babcock/Management direction
4: he hates Toronto.
1 - this could happen. i mean sports is voodoo. Andy could leave/suck, and we have no real options. but it's very unlikely, i think.
2 - we are in a top heavy division, and we simply can't beat/pass Tampa/Boston. this
could happen. but i doubt this is the case for eight consecutive years.
3 - Babcock will be gone in two years, this i am sure (I'll be very surprised if he stays for the entire length of the contract) - and for most cases. Stars trump Coaches
all the time.
4 - this kid loves being here. he handles the media like a pro, he's not really the
biggest focus any more (Tavares) but for someone who constantly wants to be better, and seems to eat it up with a spoon, this is the best stage for him. and he said he loves playing hockey where it
matters. Where is it gonna matter more than here? Well I guess, Montreal?
there is the "hometown angle." but again. we're gonna assume in 5 years that Arizona is not just gonna be good - but self-sufficent, no ownership/stadium issues and is making a huge trend. (like. in 'best case" scenario) for them - we're looking at maybe Matty's first year here (good team, and everything goes right) for arizona. but that doesn't address the financial aspects etc.
We also have to remember during Crobsy/Malkin's five years they were still dealing with financial owes in Pittsburgh themselves. but they didn't go. No First OVA left their team that drafted them of their own volition - except Tavares. Because NY didn't even have an arena to truly call their own (an how management put a lot of stressors on him etc).
Five years gives Matty an 'out' if he wants to pull the chute, but I would probably see it as 5 years as you mentioned - a
pure RFA contract so that lowers the price by like a million (probably 10.5 not 12+) then he gets his monster UFA contract a year out.
and
if he leaves. well. it's his right, he's dead to me, and we get McDavid. win win