The good news is that this will take up all of the headlines, and I don't have to read about how great Jake Muzzin is every time I go to Sportsnet.
- Dieselhead

"Superstar" "Blockbuster Deal!"

Where are you getting this 5 million from? CURRENTLY they have roughly 7.6M free with a guessimate of the cap going up 3M....that's around 10.6M (just enough for Marner).
- Glak18

the cap goes up to 4 to 5 mill and the leafs still have hortons 5.3 mill ltir and options yo trade nylander.

"Superstar" "Blockbuster Deal!"



- Komisaurus Rex

Instant Karma's gonna get you
Gonna look you right in the face
Better get yourself together darling
Join the human race
How in the world you gonna see
Laughing at fools like me
Who on Earth d'you think you are
A superstar?
Well, right you are

I don’t see how this is a great deal. Tavares signed for two extra years, all UFA years, for almost the same amount. Yes Matthews is a better player but as an RFA on a 5 year deal, I think 10 would have been more appropriate.
- James-TFS

Very correct.

11.6 Cap, not bad IF.....the contract was for 7 or 8 years. BUT, 5 years, only ONE of them a UFA year!!!! Ouch. For such a short term the Leafs shoulda got him at 9 or so.
Matthews gets the best of both wolds and screws Dumas. He is UFA in 5, and collects over 11 and a half a year to boot.

Will be interesting to see how Marner fares. If he does the 5 or 6 year thing at 8 or 9 million, Leafs in a world of crap in 4-5 years time....not to mention 38 or so million tied up in Nylander, Matthews, Marner and Tavarez the next 5 years.

4 players 38 million.....16 or 17 others, the crumbs left over.....

Very correct.

11.6 Cap, not bad IF.....the contract was for 7 or 8 years. BUT, 5 years, only ONE of them a UFA year!!!! Ouch. For such a short term the Leafs shoulda got him at 9 or so.
Matthews gets the best of both wolds and screws Dumas. He is UFA in 5, and collects over 11 and a half a year to boot.

Will be interesting to see how Marner fares. If he does the 5 or 6 year thing at 8 or 9 million, Leafs in a world of crap in 4-5 years time....not to mention 38 or so million tied up in Nylander, Matthews, Marner and Tavarez the next 5 years.

4 players 38 million.....16 or 17 others, the crumbs left over.....
- hawk35

I'm sold. A guy on the internet said so.

I'm sold. A guy on the internet said so.
- Deeps27

That guy on the internet pays $19.99 a year for insiderrrrr info from Ek.

I just wanted to point that out.

That guy on the internet pays $19.99 a year for insiderrrrr info from Ek.

I just wanted to point that out.
- Atomic Wedgie

So it's an even more solid statement than I thought. I'm going to print the comment and see if BMO will let me deposit it - literally take it to the bank.

Yes, which is why Leafs signed the shorter deal for the smaller cap hit..it was necessary. It will sting on Matthews next contract but this allows them to keep their team intact.
- Cooshie

Smaller cap hit? Okkkaaaayyy

There’s no way they can keep all these guys. Can’t wait till JT 🐍 is in his mid 30s and can barely get up the ice for a face-off makin 11 mill a year.

Leaf fans you all owe Ek a thank you. It's no coincidence that Matthews signed immediately after Ek wrote his blog about the onslaught of offer sheets coming. This scared Dubas so much that he got the deal done with Matthews. Ek take a bow. You ended the lockout. You saved the Preds. You broke the Duchene trade. You talk to GMs, the league office and have lunch with NHL owners. But now you've topped yourself. You got Auston Matthews signed for 5 years with the Leafs. LEAF FANS buy a hockey buzz season ticket. It's the least you can do for the man who quite possibly just won you a Stanley Cup.

Man, you can't talk hockey with Leaf fans, they get so butt-hurt.

If Matthews had signed 3 years at 12 million, they still would all be all excited and dance saying what a great signing it was. And insulting and slamming anyone who might argue differently.

There is not a player in the league who signed a deal as short as 5 years anywhere near a huge cap hit like 11.6. There is also not a single player with a Cap hit or 10 or more million who didn't sign for at least 7 or 8 years.

Saying matthews got himself a sweet deal by getting a nice high Cap hit, and being able to be a Total UFA in just 5 years is like you are slapping the Leafs in the face. It is not. It is just fact. Mathews and his agent got a great Player friendly deal from Dumas. How can you see it any other way. Where is any player who got even close to as good a deal for just 5 years? Facts please....you Leafs have a solid team and will be good for a few years yet. But, don't be Butt-hurt every time others just want to talk the facts to you. Hell. As a Hawk fan I can chat to you all day about how Bowman screwed up the Seabrook contract. Not saying Mathews deal any where near THAT bad....but it is a unique deal that very highly favors Matthews. And a deal the likes we have never seen before. Just 5 years....almost all as RFA....for 11.6 million. Good on him and his agent. They did great!

Smaller cap hit? Okkkaaaayyy
- Elbows15

Well considering the talks if he were to sign for 8 years were more towards 14 million per year. Ya I'd say a smaller cap hit.

There’s no way they can keep all these guys. Can’t wait till JT 🐍 is in his mid 30s and can barely get up the ice for a face-off makin 11 mill a year.
- BringNYIhome

We get it, hes not the quickest player to lace em up. But has that ever gotten in the way of him producing? Nope.

He'll be fine. Keep up the hating though it's comical

Kevin McGran‏Verified account @kevin_mcgran

According to a tax treaty between Canada and the United States, as a U.S. resident Matthews’ massive signing bonuses ($54.5M) would be taxed at 15 per cent in Canada. His salary ($3.65M) would be taxed at 53.53 per cent.

We get it, hes not the quickest player to lace em up. But has that ever gotten in the way of him producing? Nope.

He'll be fine. Keep up the hating though it's comical
- LeafGuy89

JT has been quality for about ten years now....and will be for another 5 or so without a doubt. JT will not be a hindrance to the Leaf Cup aspirations. The Cap and the defense will determine if the Leafs can get over the hump and end their Cup draught.

Kevin McGran‏Verified account @kevin_mcgran

According to a tax treaty between Canada and the United States, as a U.S. resident Matthews’ massive signing bonuses ($54.5M) would be taxed at 15 per cent in Canada. His salary ($3.65M) would be taxed at 53.53 per cent.
- Symba007

Taxes... Always taxes

Well considering the talks if he were to sign for 8 years were more towards 14 million per year. Ya I'd say a smaller cap hit.
- LeafGuy89

He has the 2nd highest cap hit.

I don't, but it's just interesting to see people convince themselves of something that isn't true.

It's just not a good contract. If I was a Leafs fan I wouldn't be that happy.

Ovie, McDavid, Sid, Geno... these generational talents all signed for pretty much their entire careers.
- Rinosaur

Sidney Crosby
-Sep 09, 2005 -Signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins to a three-year, entry-level contract.
-Jul 10, 2007 -Re-signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins to a five-year contract extension.

Evgeni Malkin
-Sep 05, 2006 -Signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins to a three-year contract.
-Jul 02, 2008 -Signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins to a five-year contract extension.

Same deal that Matthews signed today. And when this five year contract expires he will sign an 8 year extension like Malkin did.

And this little piggy cried wee-wee-wee, all the way to the bank (and UFA status).

Leaf fans you all owe Ek a thank you. It's no coincidence that Matthews signed immediately after Ek wrote his blog about the onslaught of offer sheets coming. This scared Dubas so much that he got the deal done with Matthews. Ek take a bow. You ended the lockout. You saved the Preds. You broke the Duchene trade. You talk to GMs, the league office and have lunch with NHL owners. But now you've topped yourself. You got Auston Matthews signed for 5 years with the Leafs. LEAF FANS buy a hockey buzz season ticket. It's the least you can do for the man who quite possibly just won you a Stanley Cup.


- gergeswillems

Eklund: Auston Matthews EXTENDED 11.6per /5 years
- Eklund

11.6 mil a year before doing anything worthy of the money
and for only 5 years

5 years and gonna blow town probably back to arizona.

The first domino for him to be Traded to Arizona

There’s no way they can keep all these guys. Can’t wait till JT 🐍 is in his mid 30s and can barely get up the ice for a face-off makin 11 mill a year.
- BringNYIhome

You're welcome...

11.6 mil a year before doing anything worthy of the money
and for only 5 years

5 years and gonna blow town probably back to arizona.
- SP da GHOST

I sure hope not. I wouldn't want to see Auston Matthews in a Tanner blog.

Sidney Crosby
-Sep 09, 2005 -Signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins to a three-year, entry-level contract.
-Jul 10, 2007 -Re-signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins to a five-year contract extension.

Evgeni Malkin
-Sep 05, 2006 -Signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins to a three-year contract.
-Jul 02, 2008 -Signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins to a five-year contract extension.

Same deal that Matthews signed today. And when this five year contract expires he will sign an 8 year extension like Malkin did.
- isitin1

Do you know what the percentage of the cap those 5 year deals were? If theyre similar to what Matthews has signed those deals would be a good comparable.