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Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews met with the media via Zoom on Friday after signing his four-year, $53 million contract extension earlier this week, expressing his appreciation of the process that resulted in a new deal before training camp that makes him the NHL’s highest-paid player next season and his desire to stay in Toronto where he has been since being selected first overall in 2016.
“It was definitely a priority (to get the deal done). It was something I didn’t want to rush into right away with the process of Brad coming in, getting to know him, and the moves we made in the offseason.… Matthews said. “I love playing here in the city of Toronto for these great fans and for the Maple Leafs. I take a lot of pride in that. I have really enjoyed my time here.
Getting (the contract) done is very exciting. I can kind of just put it behind me now and continue to focus on myself and the next couple of weeks leading up to training camp.…
The deal locks up Matthews until the age of 30, and where he currently is in terms of career goals and points, another five seasons in Toronto may allow him to eclipse Mats Sundin’s franchise records.
When asked about the contract situation of William Nylander, Matthews acknowledged that he was in a different mindset in getting an extension done before the season and did not know what the future holds for his longtime teammate and sometime linemate.
“Everybody is in a different position and situation. I love Willy. I have enjoyed playing with him, being his teammate, and being his friend. His position is his own situation. All of us want him here.… Matthews said. “I hope everything works out. I am sure it will. He is his own man and will make his own decisions. I hope he is a Maple Leaf for a really long time.…
GM Brad Treliving also spoke, saying that Matthews could have demanded more on a new deal and that he was glad the process with agent Judd Moldaver went smoothly, but he did not elaborate on how things are going in the negotiations with Nylander’s agent Lewis Gross.
“We have one done, and now we will continue to work at William’s.… Treliving said. “(He)is a terrific player. He is a star. We want to keep the good players. We have time. William has a year left on his contract. We will continue to work away at it.…
Treliving also indicated that he still remains open to adding depth to his roster, which does not rule out adding players on professional tryouts before training camp.