No - I'm not.

I can't speak for everyone else. But I never said Matthews would definitely stay.

I think he will, I hope he will, but neither of those is a statement of certainty by any means.

Just cautious optimism.
- Leafs43

I think he will too. He did ask for an 8 year deal.

And you guys saying otherwise (he will stay) are posting it as a certainty as well.

How’s that not just as bad?
- Dozzer

Nobody's saying that.

Look, this is all shades of Tavares (and Thornton 10 years ago).

Nothing that any NHLer says means a damn thing about where they will next sign.

Nothing about where they spend their off-season is any indication of where they will next sign.

We have no idea. I suspect that at this point Matthews has no idea.

But you're throwing your hands in the air, implying we are all naive to think there's a possibility that Matthews will want to stay.

You are welcome to your opinion that he will leave (it's what I also believe). But it's nothing more than an opinion. It's not fact.

The argument was never that Matthews will finish his career in Toronto. You stated he is leaving in 3 years cause A) he wants to go back down south and B) all Americans leave once they become UFA's.
- Fakepartofme

Star Americans but otherwise yes that’s how I feel

Sundin spent his summers in Sweden, so there’s that.
- shack67

Everyone sane spend their summers in Scandinavia

Does every US-based Canadian NHLer who hangs out in Muskoka all summer hate their US-based team and city?
- Atomic Wedgie

Canadians are far less proud than Americans so no.

Matthews family is where he spends his off seasons… if he truly loved it here why doesn’t he hang out at all during the off season?
- Dozzer

How do you know he doesnt?
the past two summers being covid summers, so obviously he wasnt going to be here.

No worries mate - I kept the score.

As of now: 872 - 117. AA won again
- 21peter

Wow, that’s a lot closer than I thought it would be.

Awww, I know you don’t like when people don’t agree with you

Have a lovely evening then
- Dozzer

So posting a gif laughing at someone’s reasonable trade suggestion is ok? As long as you don’t call them a name?

We're not posting it as a certainty.
I've said as of others have said, that he very well leave. But nothing as of today shows that he will definitely be leaving.

As of today, he likes playing in Toronto.
That could change or it may not.
- Fakepartofme

And I firmly believe he will leave right away.

2nd video game cover in 3 years, the coyotes beginning their rebuild, expansion of the league only occurs in the US, so I’m guessing even Bettman has a role in ensuring the star American player returns to where they want to sell hockey more strongly.

Everyone sane spend their summers in Scandinavia
- 21peter

That’s a given.

Wow, that’s a lot closer than I thought it would be.
- shack67

I made it close so Dozzer didn't delete it

Nobody's saying that.

Look, this is all shades of Tavares (and Thornton 10 years ago).

Nothing that any NHL says means a damn thing about where they will next sign.

Nothing about where they spend their off-season is any indication of where they will next sign.

We have no idea. I suspect that at this point Matthews has no idea.

But you're throwing your hands in the air, implying we are all naive to think there's a possibility that Matthews will want to stay.

You are welcome to your opinion that he will leave (it's what I also believe). But it's nothing more than an opinion. It's not fact.
- Atomic Wedgie

Exactly.

Either way, the leafs will be signing McDavid around that time, so stay or go.... it doesnt matter.

Nobody's saying that.

Look, this is all shades of Tavares (and Thornton 10 years ago).

Nothing that any NHL says means a damn thing about where they will next sign.

Nothing about where they spend their off-season is any indication of where they will next sign.

We have no idea. I suspect that at this point Matthews has no idea.

But you're throwing your hands in the air, implying we are all naive to think there's a possibility that Matthews will want to stay.

You are welcome to your opinion that he will leave (it's what I also believe). But it's nothing more than an opinion. It's not fact.
- Atomic Wedgie

I firmly agree with this, but it’s far closer to fact than incorrect in my mind as well

So posting a gif laughing at someone’s reasonable trade suggestion is ok? As long as you don’t call them a name?
- jribout

It wasn’t a reasonable suggestion due to it not being completely posted so yes.

And I firmly believe he will leave right away.

2nd video game cover in 3 years, the coyotes beginning their rebuild, expansion of the league only occurs in the US, so I’m guessing even Bettman has a role in ensuring the star American player returns to where they want to sell hockey more strongly.
- Dozzer

Yeah, now you're just creeping into conspiracy theory territory...

And I firmly believe he will leave right away.

2nd video game cover in 3 years, the coyotes beginning their rebuild, expansion of the league only occurs in the US, so I’m guessing even Bettman has a role in ensuring the star American player returns to where they want to sell hockey more strongly.
- Dozzer

I think how the Leafs do the next couple years will be part of the decision. If it's more of the same, he'll be out of here for sure.

I'm not particularly optimistic, at least about this year.

I made it close so Dozzer didn't delete it
- 21peter

Smart

I firmly agree with this, but it’s far closer to fact than incorrect in my mind as well
- Dozzer

Bolded, underlined and italicized for emphasis.

And I firmly believe he will leave right away.

2nd video game cover in 3 years, the coyotes beginning their rebuild, expansion of the league only occurs in the US, so I’m guessing even Bettman has a role in ensuring the star American player returns to where they want to sell hockey more strongly.
- Dozzer

..and he may...and Islander fans will take over our blogs for a few weeks afterwards.

Also, the coyotes "beginning" their rebuild? They're whole existence in Arizona has pretty much been a rebuild....just different phases of it. The team is a mess, if he wants to disappear in the hockey world, then sure go to Arizona

Yeah, now you're just creeping into conspiracy theory territory...
- Atomic Wedgie

Oh I know, but some things are happening (like the video game cover) that seems off…. Something is going on that involves the best American player in the league

And then you forgive joel and say it was started by AA because joel flat out lied and said he included picks in his first comment which he did not.

Sorry, I can tell who you like as another poster far more
- Dozzer

He literally said “ and picks and prospects which don't affect the cap make up the rest.”

He didn’t specify what picks and prospects???? Is lying???

And I firmly believe he will leave right away.

2nd video game cover in 3 years, the coyotes beginning their rebuild, expansion of the league only occurs in the US, so I’m guessing even Bettman has a role in ensuring the star American player returns to where they want to sell hockey more strongly.
- Dozzer

I am not convinced Arizona has an NHL team in 3 years. If Matthews were to move, it will be for a team that has positive cash flow IMO. The Coyotes could always offer him ownership in a team that loses money every (frank)en year, that will surely excite him.

I think how the Leafs do the next couple years will be part of the decision. If it's more of the same, he'll be out of here for sure.

I'm not particularly optimistic, at least about this year.
- fifty__missions

They won’t trade the captain, they won’t trade Nylander, they won’t be able to trade Marner without holding some of his salary, so if the leafs don’t win a round this season I’m not going to be surprised if Matthews gets moved

He literally said “ and picks and prospects which don't affect the cap make up the rest.”

He didn’t specify what picks and prospects???? Is lying???
- jribout

Without saying what picks and prospects it’s not a complete post.