Money is the same thing for players as it is businessfolk.

There is never enough.
- Dozzer

The point is that even if he is somehow unable to play beyond the 4 years of this contract, he’s still done pretty well for himself. Going for a shorter deal is the best way to maximize his career.

I think it’s also safe to say that if he insisted, Tree would have given him more on this 4 year deal and if he really wanted to cash in he would have gone to free agency. Money isn’t the only consideration.

The point is that even if he is somehow unable to play beyond the 4 years of this contract, he’s still done pretty well for himself. Going for a shorter deal is the best way to maximize his career.

I think it’s also safe to say that if he insisted, Tree would have given him more on this 4 year deal and if he really wanted to cash in he would have gone to free agency. Money isn’t the only consideration.
- Canada Cup

I’m guessing that the raise he could potentially get at the age of 29 is simply worth the risk. If the leafs sign him yet again it won’t be when he’s 30.

He'll be 31 when he plays his first game on his next contract. I'd imagine an 8 year deal paying him through age 38 is what he and his agent have in mind.
- The Law

Id hate to be the team that has to pay 15m per when hes 35 - 38/39

Id hate to be the team that has to pay 15m per when hes 35 - 38/39
- Fakepartofme

I’m wondering if “short term” starts to become a norm in the NHL for the stars.

Friedman said he wanted 3 years and Leafs wanted longer. Matthews is following the NBA model of shorter contracts. Lebron has signed 3, 4, 2, 3, 4 and 2 year deals. You’re going to get more signing repeatedly at higher cap levels. This makes even more sense coming into a period where the cap is expected to grow quickly.
- Canada Cup

Only in Toronto.

Yup. Matthews has played his hand perfectly so far.

As long as he's not getting a serious injury, it's the best way he can maximize the money he gets.
- Scabeh

So we're all in agreement. This is exactly what I said.

I’m wondering if “short term” starts to become a norm in the NHL for the stars.
- Dozzer

Meh, that was said when matthews signed his last deal.
There may be some deals that are shorter, but we'll still see the 7-8 year ones.

How 50 goes through life

How 50 goes through life
- GreatGigInTheSky

The Leafs best player will be a Leaf through his best years and left money on the table. You can see why this is upsetting.

The Leafs best player will be a Leaf through his best years and left money on the table. You can see why this is upsetting.
- Canada Cup

Sad day for Leaf haters and people pretending to be Leafs fans.

Id hate to be the team that has to pay 15m per when hes 35 - 38/39
- Fakepartofme

Why? That 15M will be what Crosbys 9M is right now

Yup. Matthews has played his hand perfectly so far.

As long as he's not getting a serious injury, it's the best way he can maximize the money he gets.
- Scabeh

Pretty false

Most on the Leafs for sure

Could have went to FA and got more

Sad day for Leaf haters and people pretending to be Leafs fans.
- GreatGigInTheSky

My favourites are the low key troll types (Habs/Bruins/ducks) who will passive aggressively chirp - the backhanded stuff like a mild compliment but then point out injury or an off year and so on - then playing innocent or confused why Leafs fans would chirp them back and tell them their trolling is soft. Those are the best ones to read. Pretending to be the smartest in the room as if nobody can figure it out.

Ex: Matthews signed an extension, pretty decent numbers. Do you guys think he will get hurt again or have another year (of 40goals and fantastic defensive game ha)and I thought he would want to sing for life with Toronto. You think he’s trying to maximize his contracts?

…that nonsense. Nerds.

I think O-Dog said it well, that by the time this contract is done Matthews will have played 12 years in Toronto which is pretty good when you consider he's from Arizona, and the pressures in Canadian markets and all that.

I think O-Dog said it well, that by the time this contract is done Matthews will have played 12 years in Toronto which is pretty good when you consider he's from Arizona, and the pressures in Canadian markets and all that.
- Zezel

he would've played waaay longer everywhere else - for ~half the cap hit😁

Pretty false

Most on the Leafs for sure

Could have went to FA and got more
- Santo_44

Two things can be true at once. Going for a shorter term deal allows him to get another kick at the can AND he signed this deal for less than he could have pulled out of the Leafs or somewhere else as a free agent.

Two things can be true at once. Going for a shorter term deal allows him to get another kick at the can AND he signed this deal for less than he could have pulled out of the Leafs or somewhere else as a free agent.
- Canada Cup

Shorter deal keeps him motivated to do well for his next contract, not that Auston needs that type of motivation to play well.
The glory of winning it all in Toronto has to be right up there as well.

I think O-Dog said it well, that by the time this contract is done Matthews will have played 12 years in Toronto which is pretty good when you consider he's from Arizona, and the pressures in Canadian markets and all that.
- Zezel

He's going to be the Leafs highest goal scorer when he leaves.

Yes this refers to either the end of this contract or any future deal with another team.

He's going to be the Leafs highest goal scorer when he leaves.

Yes this refers to either the end of this contract or any future deal with another team.
- AdamFrench

He’s going to be a god damn animal this year. Even more so than usual.

He's going to be the Leafs highest goal scorer when he leaves.

Yes this refers to either the end of this contract or any future deal with another team.
- AdamFrench

this will all depend upon how soon treedying acquires poon jenner 👊

He's going to be the Leafs highest goal scorer when he leaves.

Yes this refers to either the end of this contract or any future deal with another team.
- AdamFrench

and he should have the best ratio of goals scored vs base salary in the league!

and he should have the best ratio of goals scored vs base salary in the league!
- Symba007

Looking forward to Leon taking 7mil to save the Coilers.

Also it's absolutely embarrassing and a testament to how amazing the GTA fanbase is that the Leafs are still the biggest hockey fandom in the world and don't have a single (frank)ing player to have scored 500 goals or 1000 points with the franchise.

Looking forward to Leon taking 7mil to save the Coilers.

Also it's absolutely embarrassing and a testament to how amazing the GTA fanbase is that the Leafs are still the biggest hockey fandom in the world and don't have a single (frank)ing player to have scored 500 goals or 1000 points with the franchise.
- AdamFrench

Leafs fandom is like MAGA in the US, drinking the koolaid

-Drexel

and nobody takes a discount to stay in EDM

Looking forward to Leon taking 7mil to save the Coilers.

Also it's absolutely embarrassing and a testament to how amazing the GTA fanbase is that the Leafs are still the biggest hockey fandom in the world and don't have a single (frank)ing player to have scored 500 goals or 1000 points with the franchise.
- AdamFrench

I thought Sundin made it for sure but he's just under 1000 points with the Leafs.

Meh, that was said when matthews signed his last deal.
There may be some deals that are shorter, but we'll still see the 7-8 year ones.
- Fakepartofme

Just not in Toronto.