It would be nice if, in the next CBA, the league had a franchise player tag, with no limit on that salary and it is not counted against the cap. At least then, the Leafs may be able to use *their* advantage in a bidding war.

McDavid will be 29 years old when his current contract expires, he may be the best player in hockey at that point, but I would think there is a chance there may be better options by the 26-27 season.
- winsix

Matthews clearly doesn’t like Babcock and it’s pretty obvious that he doesn’t like the media very much. The kid is not Canadian and oh, grew up in the DESERT. Where he spends his entire summer. He is a South Western boy. And the Leafs just cast his bestie, Marleau, to the curb. Me thinks he might hold on to that! If the Leafs don’t win a cup by 2024 and are are still in line to win a bunch more, say goodbye!

Or, glass half full and laugh at the people making such remarks of AM leaving..
- bixll

Or... don't be an ass and laugh at people who have opinions different from yours.

new Augello blog

Make him captain, adore him, face of the franchise, tons of sponsorship/endorsement deals, etc. It worked with Kawhi Leonard... oh wait.
- quinneroma

It did work.
Go look at the video of the raps winning the nba championship
If Matthews and jt bring a cup to Toronto, that’s all I care about. AFTer that they can fack off to wherever

It would be nice if, in the next CBA, the league had a franchise player tag, with no limit on that salary and it is not counted against the cap. At least then, the Leafs may be able to use *their* advantage in a bidding war.
- Aetherial

yeah, 3 teams account for over 60% of the league revenue, I am sure the other 29 teams will agree with that.

Matthews clearly doesn’t like Babcock and it’s pretty obvious that he doesn’t like the media very much. The kid is not Canadian and oh, grew up in the DESERT. Where he spends his entire summer. He is a South Western boy. And the Leafs just cast his bestie, Marleau, to the curb. Me thinks he might hold on to that! If the Leafs don’t win a cup by 2024 and are are still in line to win a bunch more, say goodbye!
- JKSoule

Well thats a wrap folks! No need for anymore converstaion, JKSoule just solved this Matthews case! Good work kiddo!

Response to Fakie...

But we need 5 full years of worry, anger, disappointment, despair, foreboding gloom, 67isms, no playoff round wins, and of course, no cup, in order to feel any sense of normality.

Or... don't be an ass and laugh at people who have opinions different from yours.
- Aetherial

But it is fine for you to force your view down every ones throat for months and months and months.. OK..

- AdamFrench

That kid is an animal

Response to Fakie...

But we need 5 full years of worry, anger, disappointment, despair, foreboding gloom, 67isms, no playoff round wins, and of course, no cup, in order to feel any sense of normality.
- Woderwick

I would like to hear Ripped Fuels opinion on this matter before I make any judgments.

Yes Matthews...not marner.
Yes Burke knows for sure, much more than anyone on here that that is a concern for a lot players.
But it’s 5 years away.
Things can change.
- Fakepartofme

Absolutely. He may end up loving it here. Maybe the Leafs can offer guaranteed endorsements, maybe the CBA will be different in a way that helps them (unfortunately I doubt that). Nobody can say for sure what will happen

I am not losing any sleep over it now. Some people here seem to take it as a personal affront when someone has an opinion/prediction they don't like.

Who the hell cares? The one thing I can guarantee is that nothing truly important in any of our loves changes in any way if the Leafs win then next 10 cups or never win another cup again.

It did work.
Go look at the video of the raps winning the nba championship
If Matthews and jt bring a cup to Toronto, that’s all I care about. AFTer that they fack off to wherever
- Fakepartofme

So true.

Absolutely. He may end up loving it here. Maybe the Leafs can offer guaranteed endorsements, maybe the CBA will be different in a way that helps them (unfortunately I doubt that). Nobody can say for sure what will happen

I am not losing any sleep over it now. Some people here seem to take it as a personal affront when someone has an opinion/prediction they don't like.

Who the hell cares? The one thing I can guarantee is that nothing truly important in any of our loves changes in any way if the Leafs win then next 10 cups or never win another cup again.
- Aetherial

Ummm speak for yourself. My friend who is a Habs fan has to tattoo the leafs logo on his a$$ if leafs win the cup first....

That kid is an animal
- RickJames77

It's a shame that he's destined to be a bust because of the Frontenac curse. Oh well.

Ummm speak for yourself. My friend who is a Habs fan has to tattoo the leafs logo on his a$$ if leafs win the cup first....
- Burkefection

When was the bet made?

Response to Fakie...

But we need 5 full years of worry, anger, disappointment, despair, foreboding gloom, 67isms, no playoff round wins, and of course, no cup, in order to feel any sense of normality.
- Woderwick

As you wish kind sir

I would like to hear Ripped Fuels opinion on this matter before I make any judgments.
- AdamFrench

Awesten mathuse was just in teh fan 590. send he always willed to be a leaves

Absolutely. He may end up loving it here. Maybe the Leafs can offer guaranteed endorsements, maybe the CBA will be different in a way that helps them (unfortunately I doubt that). Nobody can say for sure what will happen

I am not losing any sleep over it now. Some people here seem to take it as a personal affront when someone has an opinion/prediction they don't like.

Who the hell cares? The one thing I can guarantee is that nothing truly important in any of our loves changes in any way if the Leafs win then next 10 cups or never win another cup again.
- Aetherial

The 5 year deal I think seems jarring because it follows in the wake of the Eichel and McDavid and Draisaitl 8 year deals. But I think he was willing to go 8 years, but the expectation on cost over term was too high to sign everyone, so they went down to $11.6m. As much as it feels like an overpayment for Matthews, I think the original thought was something upwards of $13x8.

The other thing to consider is that prior to these longer term deals, a lot of star players coming out of ELC were signing 5 year deals - Kane, Toews, Crosby, Malkin, Stamkos . . . it keeps their options open, but in all of those cases, the player remained with the team.

Absolutely. He may end up loving it here. Maybe the Leafs can offer guaranteed endorsements, maybe the CBA will be different in a way that helps them (unfortunately I doubt that). Nobody can say for sure what will happen

I am not losing any sleep over it now. Some people here seem to take it as a personal affront when someone has an opinion/prediction they don't like.

Who the hell cares? The one thing I can guarantee is that nothing truly important in any of our loves changes in any way if the Leafs win then next 10 cups or never win another cup again.
- Aetherial

Yeah who knows. Maybe he loves playing in the spotlight and having his summers away at home living a quieter life. No one really knows.

Plus $11.6 million is like $15.5 million canadian. It’s like he’s making an extra 4 million just living in Canada!

But it is fine for you to force your view down every ones throat for months and months and months.. OK..
- bixll

Pretty sure that's what a comments section if for.

When was the bet made?
- Scabeh

At the start of the 2013/2014 season.

Pretty sure that's what a comments section if for.
- Stormeysuperego

Only for blue koolaid positivity.

And making fun of rippedfuel

I would like to hear Ripped Fuels opinion on this matter before I make any judgments.
- AdamFrench

You have a great point. The Ripper is all knowing. His ability to comprehend and retain every "Well Documented" article or sentence ever written involving the Leafs, is definitely worth paying attention to. He should have his own blog.