For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter
Following the comments of GM Kyle Dubas earlier this week regarding optimism on a contract extension with center Auston Matthews, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Matthews representatives may be talking about a shorter term agreement instead of an eight-year max deal.
Darren Ferris (the agent for Mitch Marner) indicated his preference to negotiate a deal with the Leafs after the season (and preferably after Toronto and Matthews agree on a new deal). Indications from Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos said the Leafs leading scorer is looking for a shorter term deal in the neighborhood of $9 Million AAV.
While some may think that not getting either star forward signed to a max contract spells trouble and a failure for Toronto, it may be the compromise that keeps both young forwards in Toronto for a large chunk of their prime years and provides Dubas some flexibility to keep a strong supporting cast around them.
The demand on an eight-year deal for Matthews would likely make the 21-year-old the highest paid player in the NHL, but subtracting up to two or three unrestricted years off of a deal would lower the AAV to an amount under McDavid's $12.5 Million AAV. TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported from the All-Star Game in San Jose says that a potential six-year deal is gaining traction with both the center and the club.
Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares, Nathan MacKinnon and Taylor Hall all signed five-or-six year contracts out of entry-level, giving them less money but also the freedom to become unrestricted free agents in their mid-20’s.
From the Leafs perspective, if both forwards are signed for six years, the expiration of their contracts would coincide with the end of Tavares contract and a year after the deal for William Nylander expires.
That would give Matthews and Marner another big payday while still in their prime and may still allow Toronto to re-sign Tavares at the age of 34.
*******
This was a fun collabo. #TheLeafsConvo #LeafsForever @MikeInBuffalo https://t.co/HAmH6SkQ6Y
— Norman James (@NormanJamesTLC) January 25, 2019
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.*******