With this whole McDavid vs Matthews contact debate going on what do you think BT would've signed them to?

His rfa negotiations have without a doubt been his best strength

What does the Mathews contract mean to Chucky ? Probably $9million over similar term ? Our top line is so cheap relative to their performance.

What does the Mathews contract mean to Chucky ? Probably $9million over similar term ? Our top line is so cheap relative to their performance.
- tincup

7.2 6year deal

With this whole McDavid vs Matthews contact debate going on what do you think BT would've signed them to?

His rfa negotiations have without a doubt been his best strength
- LittleBroDougie

Couldn't have done much better. McDavid is already on a ridiculously team friendly contract, and Matthews and his agent have made it clear from day one that Matthews' biggest priority is getting paid.

Hamonic could be in first the sharks.

Weooo

Couldn't have done much better. McDavid is already on a ridiculously team friendly contract, and Matthews and his agent have made it clear from day one that Matthews' biggest priority is getting paid.
- Hunkulese

He's such a team player... this kid has always bugged me, it's never been about being the best or winning a cup. I guess he has, at least, been pretty forthright when going about his negotiations/draft eligibility.

TSN's coverage, as always, was hiliarious. Within an hour, McKenzie had tweeted something like 15 times and there were at least 8 stories on the home page...

Love this from a mismanagement of their cap as well:
- $66M committed already for next year
- Marner looking for $10M plus (rumoured), likely to get at least $8M
- Kapanen an RFA
- No backup goalie
- No 5/6 defenceman when Hainsey walks
- Gardiner rumoured to be gone

They are going to have to either convince Marleau to waive his NMC, trade Zaitsev and deplete their D further (after Gardiner and Hainsey walk in free agency), or trade a Kapanen type player for another young guy under control.

Kadri deal looks better and better for them as time goes on though, that guy is a #2 on a lot of very good teams and is pushed into a 3C role behind two very talented centres... They are effectively a two line and one d-pairing team going into next season.

Thank god for Tre man... barring his UFA signings, his contract work has been excellent with the Flames.

Couldn't have done much better. McDavid is already on a ridiculously team friendly contract, and Matthews and his agent have made it clear from day one that Matthews' biggest priority is getting paid.
- Hunkulese

Is getting 12.5 really that team friendly? I get he's the next Crosby and maybe the best player this league has ever seen but he's making two first line players' worth of salary. Never gonna be able to win with that contract. Ditto for Matthews

He's such a team player... this kid has always bugged me, it's never been about being the best or winning a cup. I guess he has, at least, been pretty forthright when going about his negotiations/draft eligibility.

TSN's coverage, as always, was hiliarious. Within an hour, McKenzie had tweeted something like 15 times and there were at least 8 stories on the home page...

Love this from a mismanagement of their cap as well:
- $66M committed already for next year
- Marner looking for $10M plus (rumoured), likely to get at least $8M
- Kapanen an RFA
- No backup goalie
- No 5/6 defenceman when Hainsey walks
- Gardiner rumoured to be gone

They are going to have to either convince Marleau to waive his NMC, trade Zaitsev and deplete their D further (after Gardiner and Hainsey walk in free agency), or trade a Kapanen type player for another young guy under control.

Kadri deal looks better and better for them as time goes on though, that guy is a #2 on a lot of very good teams and is pushed into a 3C role behind two very talented centres... They are effectively a two line and one d-pairing team going into next season.

Thank god for Tre man... barring his UFA signings, his contract work has been excellent with the Flames.
- rmull905

TML wishes

Getting offersheeted at least 9-9.5 I bet.

Is getting 12.5 really that team friendly? I get he's the next Crosby and maybe the best player this league has ever seen but he's making two first line players' worth of salary. Never gonna be able to win with that contract. Ditto for Matthews
- LittleBroDougie

He's already the best player the league has ever seen, he's only 22, he signed a maximum length contract that wasn't close to the maximum amount of money he could have asked for.

The contract is already reasonable for the amount of cap space it takes up, and the cap is going to keep going up, and there's still seven years to go.

The Oilers definitely can, and probably will, win with that contract. Even with as bad as their roster looks right now, if Talbot was a number one goalie for more than a year, and Larsson was the number one guy they hoped they were getting, they'd be competitive. They only need a couple tweaks and some goalie luck and they're as good as anyone.

He's already the best player the league has ever seen, he's only 22, he signed a maximum length contract that wasn't close to the maximum amount of money he could have asked for.

The contract is already reasonable for the amount of cap space it takes up, and the cap is going to keep going up, and there's still seven years to go.

The Oilers definitely can, and probably will, win with that contract. Even with as bad as their roster looks right now, if Talbot was a number one goalie for more than a year, and Larsson was the number one guy they hoped they were getting, they'd be competitive. They only need a couple tweaks and some goalie luck and they're as good as anyone.
- Hunkulese

In terms of season success yes. But they are far from being a contender. They have no prospect pool, no top pairing on D (let alone 6 NHL calibre), and incredibly weak wingers. Only real strength is centre and even then Drai looks average without McD.

Not getting solved with the amount of salary invested in those last 2.

He's already the best player the league has ever seen, he's only 22, he signed a maximum length contract that wasn't close to the maximum amount of money he could have asked for.

The contract is already reasonable for the amount of cap space it takes up, and the cap is going to keep going up, and there's still seven years to go.

The Oilers definitely can, and probably will, win with that contract. Even with as bad as their roster looks right now, if Talbot was a number one goalie for more than a year, and Larsson was the number one guy they hoped they were getting, they'd be competitive. They only need a couple tweaks and some goalie luck and they're as good as anyone.
- Hunkulese

Best player of all time ? Not the best the best scorer, not the best playmaker, not the best defensive forward...what part or parts of his game make you think he's the best of all time ?

He's such a team player... this kid has always bugged me, it's never been about being the best or winning a cup. I guess he has, at least, been pretty forthright when going about his negotiations/draft eligibility.

TSN's coverage, as always, was hiliarious. Within an hour, McKenzie had tweeted something like 15 times and there were at least 8 stories on the home page...

Love this from a mismanagement of their cap as well:
- $66M committed already for next year
- Marner looking for $10M plus (rumoured), likely to get at least $8M
- Kapanen an RFA
- No backup goalie
- No 5/6 defenceman when Hainsey walks
- Gardiner rumoured to be gone

They are going to have to either convince Marleau to waive his NMC, trade Zaitsev and deplete their D further (after Gardiner and Hainsey walk in free agency), or trade a Kapanen type player for another young guy under control.

Kadri deal looks better and better for them as time goes on though, that guy is a #2 on a lot of very good teams and is pushed into a 3C role behind two very talented centres... They are effectively a two line and one d-pairing team going into next season.

Thank god for Tre man... barring his UFA signings, his contract work has been excellent with the Flames.
- rmull905

What an insane fcking contract. Did the Leafs just hire too young & inexperienced GM & he obviously cant handle the contract negotiations of these highend young players.
Look at Matthews stats, his best year for points is 69! He may get into the 70's this year if he manages to stay healthy, but I have him in a hockey pool & he outright sucks! 6 stinking goals last night & he didnt get 1 point. WTF!!
He is no where close to McDavid, he shouldnt be anywhere close to his salary, especially on a 5 year deal. The Toronto hype engine on the darling 1st overall prodigy just scored him an extra $2.5mill on a short term deal. Sorry, he's a heck of a player but this really screws & shortens the Leaf window. After the Nylander fiasco I wondered a bit about Dumbass. But after this deal.....yikes

Best player of all time ? Not the best the best scorer, not the best playmaker, not the best defensive forward...what part or parts of his game make you think he's the best of all time ?
- tincup

Have you ever seen him play? No one has been ever had the skill set he has combined with his speed. And you're questioning his scoring and playmaking? The dude's been in the league for 3 years, has two Art Ross trophies, has a good chance at another this year, and probably would have been a runner up in his rookie year without the injury. All this in an era where it's much harder to distinguish yourself from everyone else because everyone is giving it 110%.

TML wishes

Getting offersheeted at least 9-9.5 I bet.
- LittleBroDougie

He'll sign at $9.5 - 10.5 Million.

Marner, Point and Aho will all get similar contracts.

Have you ever seen him play? No one has been ever had the skill set he has combined with his speed. And you're questioning his scoring and playmaking? The dude's been in the league for 3 years, has two Art Ross trophies, has a good chance at another this year, and probably would have been a runner up in his rookie year without the injury. All this in an era where it's much harder to distinguish yourself from everyone else because everyone is giving it 110%.
- Hunkulese

Yes I have seen him play. I've also seen Mario, Wayne, Lidstrom, Crosby and others play. Doesn't mean i'm questioning his game at all, just not ready to say he's better than any or all of the above. Maybe he'll get there some day but IMO, he's not there yet.

He's already the best player the league has ever seen, he's only 22, he signed a maximum length contract that wasn't close to the maximum amount of money he could have asked for.

The contract is already reasonable for the amount of cap space it takes up, and the cap is going to keep going up, and there's still seven years to go.

The Oilers definitely can, and probably will, win with that contract. Even with as bad as their roster looks right now, if Talbot was a number one goalie for more than a year, and Larsson was the number one guy they hoped they were getting, they'd be competitive. They only need a couple tweaks and some goalie luck and they're as good as anyone.
- Hunkulese

If by "a couple tweaks" you mean "aquiring an entirely different group of wingers" then you're right. Every season relies on a defenseman that's struggling through long term injuries. They have 51k in cap room to adress any deficiency in their line up. Nurse is sub-adequate and his development has plateaued. Where's dogla?

He's already the best player the league has ever seen, he's only 22, he signed a maximum length contract that wasn't close to the maximum amount of money he could have asked for.

The contract is already reasonable for the amount of cap space it takes up, and the cap is going to keep going up, and there's still seven years to go.

The Oilers definitely can, and probably will, win with that contract. Even with as bad as their roster looks right now, if Talbot was a number one goalie for more than a year, and Larsson was the number one guy they hoped they were getting, they'd be competitive. They only need a couple tweaks and some goalie luck and they're as good as anyone.
- Hunkulese

A couple tweaks?

That entire roster is a disaster. They're one of the most top heavy teams the league has ever seen.

He's already the best player the league has ever seen, he's only 22, he signed a maximum length contract that wasn't close to the maximum amount of money he could have asked for.

The contract is already reasonable for the amount of cap space it takes up, and the cap is going to keep going up, and there's still seven years to go.


The Oilers definitely can, and probably will, win with that contract. Even with as bad as their roster looks right now, if Talbot was a number one goalie for more than a year, and Larsson was the number one guy they hoped they were getting, they'd be competitive. They only need a couple tweaks and some goalie luck and they're as good as anyone.
- Hunkulese

Oilers have ALOT of work to do before you can say they will be winning anything.

A couple tweaks?

That entire roster is a disaster. They're one of the most top heavy teams the league has ever seen.
- BINGO!

I agree, Oilers do not have a very well built roster & it will take a good few years & a very prudent GM to make the changes while trying to make the team a bit more competitive. But in his defence regarding McDavid, the kid is a heck of a player & worth the 12.5 mill compared to the 11.0 mill paid to Tavares & the 10+ Mill paid to Toews, Kopitar etc.
I think what caused the debate here is how in God's green Earth did Matthews get $11.5 mill based on his numbers over the last 2 & half years. Thats no discount at all.I would have thought he would have gotten that on a 7 or 8 year deal. 5 year deal should have been in Draisaddle $$$ territory. IMO

He'll sign at $9.5 - 10.5 Million.

Marner, Point and Aho will all get similar contracts.
- BINGO!

Agreed. Toronto is in for it rough. If they keep Matthews Marner JT then they're gonna remain standstill on the back line which needs at least one top pairing defence. I like muezzin and Reilly but they're not strong enough to carry that team defensively.

Yes I have seen him play. I've also seen Mario, Wayne, Lidstrom, Crosby and others play. Doesn't mean i'm questioning his game at all, just not ready to say he's better than any or all of the above. Maybe he'll get there some day but IMO, he's not there yet.
- tincup

From a pure on-ice skill, I might be ready to say that today. Every generation of player is better in terms of skill than the generation before it, I don't know that that much can be debated. Gretzky said years ago that Crosby was better than he was back in the day, and I think it would be hard to argue that McDavid is not his equal if not better.

He's already the best player the league has ever seen, he's only 22, he signed a maximum length contract that wasn't close to the maximum amount of money he could have asked for.

The contract is already reasonable for the amount of cap space it takes up, and the cap is going to keep going up, and there's still seven years to go.

The Oilers definitely can, and probably will, win with that contract. Even with as bad as their roster looks right now, if Talbot was a number one goalie for more than a year, and Larsson was the number one guy they hoped they were getting, they'd be competitive. They only need a couple tweaks and some goalie luck and they're as good as anyone.
- Hunkulese

What? It's a little early to call McDavid the greatest of all time. He's amazing, don't get me wrong, and definitely the best player in the League right now, but the best the League has ever seen? Get out of here. He hasn't done anything to get that claim yet.

And the Oilers are nowhere near as close to being competitive as you think they are. They have a cap situation similar to a team that's won a few Stanley Cups, only without the Stanley Cups. They have almost $35 million wrapped up in 5 players, two of which are Lucic and Russell, and good luck telling me either is worth their contract, and one of which is an incredibly unproven goaltender in Koskinen.

The fact that you think the Oilers are "close" shows just how bad you actually are at evaluating a roster. The Oilers are screwed right now and I have no idea how they fix it. They need yet another rebuild and are going to waste a few more years of McDavid's contract doing it.

Have you ever seen him play? No one has been ever had the skill set he has combined with his speed. And you're questioning his scoring and playmaking? The dude's been in the league for 3 years, has two Art Ross trophies, has a good chance at another this year, and probably would have been a runner up in his rookie year without the injury. All this in an era where it's much harder to distinguish yourself from everyone else because everyone is giving it 110%.
- Hunkulese

lol wat? best player the league has ever seen? you are ridiculous sometimes

as good as anyone? get (frank)ed

Koskinen is the Oilers goalie for the next while, GL

Back to the Matthews contract. This really puts BT in a jam IMO. Tkachuk has to be thinking at least $9 per. How much more is he willing to pay Tkachuk than JH and Gio ? I wonder if a 2 year deal in the $7 range is an option.

Agreed. Toronto is in for it rough. If they keep Matthews Marner JT then they're gonna remain standstill on the back line which needs at least one top pairing defence. I like muezzin and Reilly but they're not strong enough to carry that team defensively.
- LittleBroDougie

They're kind of iffy on the back end as it is and they lose Gardiner next year. If Marner gets $10 million that's $46 million locked up between Nylander, Tavares, Matthews, Marner and Marleau.

Over half your cap on 5 guys? That's rough.