For a while now, there has been plenty of speculation that Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews intends to set a new benchmark for the highest AAV when he signs his next contract. In a recent appearance on Sportsnet 590 (audio link), Nick Kypreos suggested that the two sides are believed to be in agreement on a cap hit at or around $13.5MM which would come in well above Nathan MacKinnon’s $12.6MM price tag. At this point, the discussions between the two sides are focused on term. Matthews took a five-year deal off his entry-level contract instead of a max-term agreement and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him take a shorter-term pact again with an eye on landing one more significant contract down the road.
More from the Atlantic:
- While the Bruins are right now focusing on the pending arbitration hearings for Jeremy Swayman and Trent Frederic, Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald opines that Boston also needs to get a sense of what Jake DeBrusk’s next contract is going to cost. Now extension-eligible as he’s in the final year of his deal, the winger could theoretically be used in a trade for a center if they decide to try to make a move to replace Patrice Bergeron if they find themselves too far apart in discussions. The 26-year-old has a $4MM AAV for next season and stands to be in line for a raise on that next summer after recording 27 goals and 23 assists in 64 games in 2022-23.
- In an appearance on the Cam and Strick podcast (video link), Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour provided an update on his recovery from shoulder surgery. He was recently able to remove the sling but anticipates he’s still at least a month away from being able to lift weights and he doesn’t expect to be able to hit the ice until sometime in September. Recovery from labrum surgeries typically carry a four-to-six-month recovery time so while it’s possible that Montour could be back early next season, his return could also be pushed back as far as into December.
I read that when Mackinnon signed his contract, he left some money on the table. That was actually a good deal considering wha matthews will sign
So where does that put McJvid? 15+? I’m curious what kind of money 29 left on the table.. I think I’d take him over 34 with first pick 4 out of 5 times. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of Mackinnon yet.
TOR’s front office has more leaks than the Titanic.
13.5 AAV is appropriate as his raise is less than 10%.The term is 5 years again is my best guess and it doesn’t kick in till 2024-25 and the cap is going up by $7-$8 on the first of July. Next is getting Nylander for $9.5 AAV minimum 5 year term . July 1 2025 is the day Marner’s deal expires and He will almost certainly ask for $13 AAV and he over $12.25. Personally I would trade him next summer especially because a healthy year means100-115 points and the selke. I see a deal with the Stars for Roope Hintz, Esa Lindell, Thomas Harley and a first round pick. For Marner,Nic Robertson and Conner Timmins.
Marner has a full no movement clause so it’s unlikely he’s getting dealt.
A) The cap is not going up 7-8M next offseason. It’s going up 4-5M. And probably another 4M the following season.
B) Marner will not be up for a Selke any time soon. The kid is very talented offensively but soft.
C) No one is giving that much up for a top winger and 2 borderline guys. Marner has about the same trade value as RNH. Would you expect Edmonton to receive close to that much for RNH as you do for Toronto to get for Marner?
And noone ever waived their NTC before right? They could compromise by asking him to submit 10 teams he would be okay playing for Now if he took 12.3 that would be a decent number. But really he will want 13 and I would rather have a Nylander at 10 than a Marner at 13.
Also that’s what t meant in the next 2 years it Will be up 7-8 from now.
Marner doesn’t need to compromise. He holds all of the leverage. If he doesn’t want to get traded (and all indications signify he doesn’t) then he won’t get traded.
Matthews at 13.5 isn’t a bad deal when you consider it will be a similar percentage of the cap to what he’s getting now.
Is Matthews a top 3-5 guy in the league right now? That is what has to be determined. He’s certainly top 10, 3-5 is debatable. Obviously McDavid is #1. MacKinnon, Draisaitl, Kucherov, Matthews, Makar, M Tkachuk, Pastrnak, Robertson, Hughes, and Point could all be discussed in the next tier, along with a few others.
Think of it this way… If the NHL held a dispersal draft tomorrow, who would you pick first from that group or others you may consider taking?
To me, Matthews fits in around 5-6 comfortably. Now do you want to pay the 5th-6th best player in the league that percentage of the cap on your team?
No he not between the 3rs and 5th best player in the league. Nope be is Second to only McJesus.
Yes I would pay him that much. Because that’s what it’s going to cost 2 seasons from now for anyone in the top 10 list you provided. Now I’m a huge matthews critic but let’s call a spade a spade, his gpg are higher then all of those players, higher then the greatest goal scorer in the history of the nhl. He can take that track record into his negotiations with us or with anyone else. Also the fact that he plays in Canada and 13.5 million isn’t meaning he’s taking 13.5 million home, he is getting taxed more then everyone on that list you provided because he’s in Canada. So whether I like the deal, or like matthrws he is easily gonna get paid that much no doubt. Out of everyone on that list (who are all already under contract) he is also signing his deal when the cap is expected to go up 4-5 mil next season and the season after that, so the percentage of the cap he is gonna get paid will be equal to or below the percentage that McDavid, or Mackinnon is receiving right now, so it’s a fair deal for me. I honestly thought he would be looking for 14-15 so when I hear 13.5 I’m ok with that.
You are the type of person why people HATE the leafs. It’s not the team itself. It’s fans like you, that believe they (thr leafs and their players) are so much better than anyone and everyone else while winning nothing in 56+ years. Humility can be such an overwhelming trait.
Your funny, clearly you didn’t read my post or any of my other posts. I hate the way the leafs run there organization. You sound like a typical leafs hater who can except facts. Facts are you get paid for goals, facts are matthews will get a raise. 13.5 of a 90 million cap isn’t that bad I can live with that, did I say I liked it? Wanted it? Nope so don’t pretend to know what I want or think. I said I could live with it, is it what I would do? Since u seem to know what I think why don’t u tell me?
I was replying to the guy who stated Matthews is clearly the 2nd best in the game. He’s elite. But he is not the clear #2. He wasn’t even top 10 in goals last season. The NHL is a what have you done for me lately league, and lately he hasn’t been close to a 60 goal scorer as he is expected to be.
Agreed. I put him top ten, definitely not number 2. But he’s done enough to get paid. He doesn’t generate enough offense on his own, he needs a marner, like hull needed a Oates.
But paying him 13.5 is going to cripple us even more, but I except that’s what he’s “worth” due to previous deal, he will get a raise. But it’s going to take luck and a miracle for them to win because they are all soft, you can add whoever to play with them but you can’t change the core four being soft.
Bruins need to bully Canucks to trade them Miller; he’ll come cheaper than Schiefle due to his contract and Boston’s prospect pool is almost as bad as Vancouver’s.