It applies to both. McDavid is the standard at 12.5 million for being a legit MVP.

Getting 900K less than that for 40 goals, on a 5 year deal, is kind of ridiculous.

11.6 AAV was the right number for an 8 year deal.
- JohnFergusonJr

Yup.

Hasn't earned that price tag yet.
- JohnFergusonJr

If he’s healthy he’s an automatic 50 goal player. How many of those do you see? How many 40 goal rookies? How many third year star centres are already excellent on faceoffs and in his own end?
Do you want him to coach and manage between shifts? He’s also the best even strength player in the league.
But he hasn’t done anything yet. Christ

I don’t know why Toronto sports teams keep hiring young executives without any experience at the helm? I mean this is not a small market to get your feet wet?

AA gave fans 2 playoffs but pretty much killed off the Jays franchise for a foreseeable future with his all-in rash bets.

Now Dubas acts as if he is agents for these players with his millennial sensibility. let’s sell the farm for these top 4... who cares if there is no money left for defense or anything else.

Raptors on the other hand, has someone with brain and sound judgment. Enviable.
- gamerdoc

He did sign Vlad Jr. though.

If he’s healthy he’s an automatic 50 goal player. How many of those do you see? How many 40 goal rookies? How many third year star centres are already excellent on faceoffs and in his own end?
Do you want him to coach and manage between shifts? He’s also the best even strength player in the league.
But he hasn’t done anything yet. Christ
- shack67

But he's not healthy. But he hasn't scored 50. But he hasn't won any major awards or even a playoff series.

Yeah, he's done some stuff but nothing that warrants 13-14 million per year like somebody said before.

11.6 was a fair number for 8 years. For 5 years, it hinders the Leafs cap situation and also lets him walk for nothing in 5 years.

I don’t know why Toronto sports teams keep hiring young executives without any experience at the helm? I mean this is not a small market to get your feet wet?

AA gave fans 2 playoffs but pretty much killed off the Jays franchise for a foreseeable future with his all-in rash bets.

Now Dubas acts as if he is agents for these players with his millennial sensibility. let’s sell the farm for these top 4... who cares if there is no money left for defense or anything else.

Raptors on the other hand, has someone with brain and sound judgment. Enviable.
- gamerdoc

Ask Shanahan and Lou Lamoriello.

If he’s healthy he’s an automatic 50 goal player. How many of those do you see? How many 40 goal rookies? How many third year star centres are already excellent on faceoffs and in his own end?
Do you want him to coach and manage between shifts? He’s also the best even strength player in the league.
But he hasn’t done anything yet. Christ
- shack67

AM is a great player. However, is he a top 5 player in NHL right now? Because he’s being paid like he is. The answer has to be no if you are honest; he is not even the second best player at his age, never mind McDavid. I would argue McKinnon is way ahead of AM.

11.6 is a good number at 7-8 years. He sure as heck did not give a home town discount. Sure, 11.6 might be fair market value but he was not signing an UFA contract. Dubas relegated any leverage he had, and the kid got the max dollar at shortest interval, after which nothing will stop him from going anywhere he wants to go.

Dudes, my nephew has a perfect bracket. What the (frank)?

Did he fill out every combination? What’s the math there? 8! (Factorial)?

But he's not healthy. But he hasn't scored 50. But he hasn't won any major awards or even a playoff series.

Yeah, he's done some stuff but nothing that warrants 13-14 million per year like somebody said before.

11.6 was a fair number for 8 years. For 5 years, it hinders the Leafs cap situation and also lets him walk for nothing in 5 years.
- JohnFergusonJr

Why didn't he get 8 years then?

Because he wanted more than 11.6 AAV and that AAV is already too high.
- JohnFergusonJr

Could be loyal to his like JT is. I mean,certainly the league would be thrilled to see the first real southern born and raised star playing in the south. Just a guess, but I think he's gonzo to Phoenix, maybe LA when his deal ends.

Could be loyal to his like JT is. I mean,certainly the league would be thrilled to see the first real southern born and raised star playing in the south. Just a guess, but I think he's gonzo to Phoenix, maybe LA when his deal ends.
- aminnes

And Toronto will wonder what could have been after he leaves. Some will still defend Dubas and Matthews.

I would package Matthews and Nylander for McDavid this summer. I would throw in prospects if I have to.

AM is a great player. However, is he a top 5 player in NHL right now? Because he’s being paid like he is. The answer has to be no if you are honest; he is not even the second best player at his age, never mind McDavid. I would argue McKinnon is way ahead of AM.

11.6 is a good number at 7-8 years. He sure as heck did not give a home town discount. Sure, 11.6 might be fair market value but he was not signing an UFA contract. Dubas relegated any leverage he had, and the kid got the max dollar at shortest interval, after which nothing will stop him from going anywhere he wants to go.
- gamerdoc

Check the stats for MacKinnon his first 3 years. You seem to think they’re the same age. They’re not.

And Toronto will wonder what could have been.

I would package Matthews and Nylander for McDavid this summer. I would throw in prospects if I have to.
- gamerdoc

Unless McDavid demands a trade to Toronto, and only Toronto, and refuses to play until they do...Edmonton probably laughs at that. And they couldn't fit it under their cap either.

Check the stats for MacKinnon his first 3 years. You seem to think they’re the same age. They’re not.
- shack67

Isn’t he 23?

The point is, just in time he hits his stride to justify his salary, he will take off.

Ask Shanahan and Lou Lamoriello.
- Zezel

Wasn't Lamiorello experienced and we got Zaitsev and Marleau

Unless McDavid demands a trade to Toronto, and only Toronto, and refuses to play until they do...Edmonton probably laughs at that. And they couldn't fit it under their cap either.
- JohnFergusonJr

One can dream... I mean some on this board would rather have AM than McDavid. .

Isn't ready???...At what age did Crosby, Toews, McDavid become Captains?? Why is Matthews pampered so much???

Won't name him Captain....doesn't play 1st PP unit.....ice time several minutes a game behind other league star forwards.....

No, there is something bigger here....something Babs or Leaf management think is flawed in Matthews. I am not sure what it is, but no other STAR player on other teams are treated, or babied, like Matthews is......crazy!
- hawk35

I think he's got bum shoulders. I was at the Brooks/Spruce Grove AJHL final and Peckford reminded me a lot of Matthews. He has bum shoulders. He got hit a few times but rarely delivered any, it is well known his shoulders are bad. Very skilled good player though. Just a thought.

Again you are talking fair market value. Keep signing your restricted FA to fair market values and see where your team goes in a salary cap league. There certainly won’t be any money left to address other needs.
- gamerdoc

Yup. They basically gave them UFA level deals when they were coming out of entry level with no options but to sit.

I think he's got bum shoulders. I was at the Brooks/Spruce Grove AJHL final and Peckford reminded me a lot of Matthews. He has bum shoulders. He got hit a few times but rarely delivered any, it is well known his shoulders are bad. Very skilled good player though. Just a thought.
- aminnes

What a Leafy thing to happen.

Finally get a 1st overall pick that yields a great player...

...but he's from Arizona, has bum shoulders and wants to leave ASAP.

Isn’t he 23?

The point is, just in time he hits his stride to justify his salary, he will take off.
- gamerdoc

MacKinnon just finished his sixth year in the league. And how the (frank) do you guys know what happens in five years?
Leaf fans are the most negative people in the history of sport. But you’re not psychic.

Wasn't Lamiorello experienced and we got Zaitsev and Marleau
- Geez

Whatever Lou was doing, seems to work with Islanders with no name casts other than Berzal maybe? Even Berzal isn’t supposed to be as good as Marner never mind AM.

One can dream... I mean some on this board would rather have AM than McDavid. .
- gamerdoc

July 1st, 2026.

That applies much more to the Nylander 7 million than the Mathews 11.5
- hawk35

Yes. However one year after McD he is not at 11.6. He just isn't. In fact His deal makes Dry Sattles look damn good right now.

I gotta quit this place. It’s afflicted with the Uggy and Skoalie desease.

"Classic ragging of the puck."

- Jim Hughson

I gotta quit this place. It’s afflicted with the Uggy and Skoalie desease.
- shack67