The Toronto Maple Leafs will have many decisions to make this upcoming off-season but none are more important than Auston Matthews’ next contract with the team. Mike DiStefano and David Morassutti give you their thoughts on the situation but first they look at the situation involving the Arizona Coyotes not getting their arena deal approved and what that means for the team’s future and how it should end the Auston Matthews to Arizona rumours. Mike and Dave listen to Matthews’ end-of-year media scrum to see if he provides any interesting thoughts about his future and his thoughts on the team. They look at what he had to say about his season and the Leafs’ struggles in the playoffs. To end the show, Mike and Dave debate on what Matthews’ next contract should look like and the honest conversation management will have to have with him.
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29 Comments
Why are we even talking about a new contract for Matthews? If they sign Matthews to an extension, they will be looking at $13 to $14 million over 5 to 8 years. That means to make the changes that are necessary to change the culture of this team they have the same cap restrictions (if not worse) than they have now.
You can't trade JT and you won't get value back if you trade Marner. On top of that you would be stupid to trade Willy.
So, what does it leave you with? TRADE MATTHEWS before July 1st. Dump Shanny. Fire Sheldon. Promote Dubas. Make Ryan O'Reilly captain.
Trade Matthews to L.A. or New York.
wow 2 sponsers 9 ad video's in 37 minute show, wonder why nobody leaves a like 110 views 3 likes also your channel aint growing this is why, other Leaf channels dont do this.
Just don't pay a ridiculous amount for him.
Gotta play hardball with JT it's just business.
If money is more important to Matthews than building a team around him that can win, he's gotta go. Sure make him one of the highest payed players in the league, give him 13 million per year, but definitely no more than that. On the other hand, trading Matthews is just a trade that your not going to win, I don't care how you look at it or who you get in return. The window is going to shut on this team and they haven't done shit besides get a lucky bounce in OT to win 1 round in 7 years.
McDavid signed that contract for 8yrs, Matthew's won't do that. He always signs short term deals so he can get max money. That's what is hurting this team.
A true captain has a team first mentality, not a me first mentality.
If he wants to be the highest paid player in the league, he has the right to do so, and he can. But if he does I just hope it's not with the leafs, which is a shocking thing to say for someone who arguably has the best shot in the league.
The leafs have already given their top guys all they could ask for and more. It's time for them to so the same for the team as a whole, if they truely love it there and want to be there as much as they say they do.
It's time to show how much you love it there, and the franchise, and your next contract will prove it.
If the next contract is another short term deal that doesn't seem like a team first philosophy, but a me first philosophy, as Leafs management, as painful as it may be, you have to move on and trade them.
I'm sure a place like Anaheim with 13.8m in cap space would love to have a star 60 goal legit top line center like Matthew's.
Matthew's 50% retained, Robertson, and the first from Boston for the second overall pick, Mason McTavish and Drysdale.
It doesn't have to be this exact trade but something like that may be exactly what's best for everyone at this point, tbh.
Matthew's would get his max money like he wants, and the leafs would get a future top line center with Adam Fantilli, a second line center in Mason McTavish, and a potential top 4 rhd in Drysdale, all on league minimum contracts for the next few years.
That would free up enough cap to resign ROR Accari Kampf and Schenn.
You'll be having this convo next year after he dries up in the playoffs again, except by then he'll have a huge contract with term so you're going to be stuck with him. 13-14 million for a guy who can't get it done? Enjoy another 8 years of spinning your wheels Toronto.
You can have all the money in the world, but it won't mean anything without a cup. I can see his camp asking for more, but not him.
Trade Matthews.
I don't care the core needs a change. Time 4 change.
Really guys? You wonder why these guys don't say more? I respect you asking all of the tough questions 'cause its how you get paid. But what do they get out of opening the kimono for you? Anytime they go outside the lines, things invariably come flying back in their face. SO in the context of normal circumstances there is nothing in it for them to do anything but stick to the script. You guys should understand that more than anyone.
But I think there were messages there. I don't ever recall him being so definitive in wanting to be back. As long as no one gets silly, we can count on that. He wants to win – probably not going to be stupid on either side of the salary question. The players are in Dubas' camp. Also good to know. How nuch do I read into there being no message on Keefe? The other thing that strikes me is he is getting more practised at handling the media and controlling the narrative. The day where he speaks for the team is nearer at hand. His message is really that "I'm happy to stay here and be the key guy in winning a championship". Real different from Gaudreau and Tkachuk.
Having the conversation about backing away from Matthews is fine to say, but realistically, thats not happening. Leafs fans should not be without optimism … they still have lots to work with if they make the right moves.
Mathews was never going home,,, but LA , Chicago, New York , very real possibilities,,, read into what he didn’t say he wants to sign an extension but once the season starts he wants to concentrate on playing(meaning sign me or I’ll walk seasons end) if he does sign in TO he won’t sign for more than 5 years again,, which will mess the structure of salary in Toronto,,, not sure that’s a good thing when you’re building a championship team
The only time these players show any HEART is when their CONTRACTS are up and their Agents are negotiating! This is when the Leafs go ALL OUT! (Morgan Reilly Excluded)
Who would you rather….. Austin Mathews Or Matthew Tkachuk?
I would say the answer is debatable or either player.
Matthew Tkachuk Just signed an 8 year 9.5 million per season contract in 22.
Yet we are going to pay almost 4-5 million dollars more for Austin? This is fucking crazy!
The leaf fans who are ok with Matthews being traded or leafs not electing to sign him at his price are absurd. Where are you going to ever get a player like him? A different approach to playoffs starts with firing keefe, and whoever else contributed to the anemic PP. then figure your team out by trade deadline, add 2-3 at most to fill holes. The tavares deal i think was the biggest mistep. They aren’t that far away from a long run in playoffs.
Pay Mathews what he wants ! What other teams would pay big to get him ? Look at the coaching staff, goalies and defense ! Accept Mathews is in the drivers seat……….he is not going home for a while….get it done………forget the desert………move on.
You cannot trade a high level 1st line centre you will definitely not win anything without one be careful what you wish for 1st line centre's are very difficult to aquire
The core needs more money to show up in big games
Dubas full of shit. Now he says everything is on the table. Well, Dubas you a too late. Dubas created this mess so he should be fired
You can tell these 2 have never played the game. It’s not like Matthews intentionally didn’t want to score… he had something like 28 shots on net in the series, with a few that hit the post. He had good chances that would go in 9 out of 10 times. Just so happens none when in for him during that 5 game span. It’s sucks for sure. But it’s not like he played like trash. I personally think the Leafs system sucks, and Keefe got badly out coached. They can’t break out, forecheck, and make entry on the PP… it’s 5 drop passes going backwards then turnover.
"He's a helluva (insert here: regular season) hockey player"
Thank you Mike and Dave for covering the Leafs this season. Not the end we wanted but it is what it is. Please come to Sweden in November so I can buy you both a coffee (the beer is too expensive)
David Morassutti is full of shit. If ANY town had a team that had the losing record the coyotes had, NO one would support it. ANY city, ANY country.
David Morassutti is an offensive, ignorant buffoon.
I saw Rosy Fight Colton Orr when he was a Bruin. Remember they were team mates. He got a beatdown. Man, I loved his intensity. Always stood up for himself and his team mates. Frankly. Not a man stood up, when a teenager, Mathew Knies got hauled down and his faced rubbed in the ice. No one came to his defense. He never came back. This team needs to be shaken up at the core from owner, management and the core. That was pathetic. Not a healthy or striving culture. This Is embarrassing. Shake up the whole team ideology. Too soft for playoff hockey.
Dubas, We don't need your emotions. Don't let the door hit you on your way out. This is a man's game in the playoffs. Kill or be killed in the playoffs. I love Mathew Tkachuk. He punched his buddy Mitch Marner twice after the game. They were team mates on top line when they played together with the London Knights in the OHL. They won the cup together. Marner's response, what are you doing to me, referee! Of course the game was over at that time. Referees could do nothing. Mathew Tkachuk, I am helping you my friend, grow some balls, this is way to easy, love you partner and thank you.
One thing is for certain, if Matthew's stays and gets 13m or more per season, there's no way Marner takes less than 11m a year.
Then your right back where you started, in cap hell.
You've been through that same old song and dance before, so you know that's true.
Real winners EARN their money, they don’t get it handed to them!
Wisconsin should get a team
Matthews leaves LEAFS NATION can KISS their ASS Good Bye for the next Decade even SNIFFING the Playoffs