Spoken like Stalin himself. Hating on guys for getting paid what their worth. take it easy.
- lonnyBohonos

I reassure you, anything left of Andrew Scheer makes me puke.

I have no problem with players getting paid for their performance. So Taveres, no issue.

Matthews and co haven't accomplished anything; they all want to get paid based on a promise of performance (and it's not even incentive driven; it's all guaranteed. Tell me one industry outside of pro sports that's like this). They talk about wishing to keep the team intact. Yet their action tells otherwise. It's that hypocrisy that drives me crazy.

They are all in for max dollars. Matthews, Nylander, Marner... They all play a lip service to the fan, the team, and the city and turn around and go for maximum amount of money.

I mean no one should be surprised by it. They are all "professional" athletes, meaning they play sports to make money.

Players who take less to keep the team intact, those players may exist somewhere else or in different sports, but none of the 3 "young stars" in Toronto are it.

Playing for the favourite team in your childhood... Lol, it's nice to romanticize a player but I can reassure you, all Marner sees is $$$ and nothing else matters.

So nauseating how greedy these guys are. The worst thing is, Kyle Dubas are quite willing to dance to the tune.
- gamerdoc

Did you really think they care about their home town team ???? toronto is in deep dodo with this contract ,, money won't get you a cup,, and BTW you need good grinders on your 3rd and 4th lines along with a good D if you want to win a cup ,, so far I don't see a cup team at all

I reassure you, anything left of Andrew Scheer makes me puke.

I have no problem with players getting paid for their performance. So Taveres, no issue.

Matthews and co haven't accomplished anything; they all want to get paid based on a promise of performance (and it's not even incentive driven; it's all guaranteed. Tell me one industry outside of pro sports that's like this). They talk about wishing to keep the team intact. Yet their action tells otherwise. It's that hypocrisy that drives me crazy.
- gamerdoc

Define "accomplished". Cause I'd say they've accomplished quite a bit. Tavares doesn't have a cup either, and what? One playoff series win in all his years? Is that your metric for accomplishments? These are good players who deserve market value.

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.
- 13sundin13

Year 1: 15.34%
Year 2: 15.32%
Year 3: 14.65%
Year 4: 13.53%
Year 5: 14.5%

Define "accomplished". Cause I'd say they've accomplished quite a bit. Tavares doesn't have a cup either, and what? One playoff series win in all his years? Is that your metric for accomplishments? These are good players who deserve market value.
- mgriffen

consistency, durability, leadership quality, experience etc etc. And remember who Tavares played with in NY.

I mean, how's paying for a promise of performance working out for us with Nylander?

Again, I have no issue with players wanting to get a billion dollars. I would want too. They are "pro" athletes. They all play for money.

It's the GM who is quite willingly enabling them. 11.7M is a fine number if we are talking 6-7 years. But at 5? Jeez. And Matthews acts as if he took a haircut for the team. It's that hypocrisy that makes me puke.

Well Marners agent is doing his best to piss everyone off. Sounds like he wants to fleece the Leafs and he’s not happy cause they don’t like it. I like Marner, but man this money stuff pisses me off. Here we have Marner playing for his childhood fav team and he wants to take as much as he can.........or what....he walks!? Good ridence. Trade him for a boat load of prospects. So tired of this attitude, turning me right off this sport.
- Bullot

Welcome to pro sports. This is why sometimes it is more fun watching college hockey and football because those guys play for their schools (the logo on the front and not the name on the back). They play with heart and passion. What is sad is these star players keep talking about how they want to win yet want top dollar. Which is fine as that is their worth but then handcuffing your team you can't expect to win it all. Plus, it isn't like they won't get bonuses and get tons of money for doing local ads and commercials.

Very few players look out for the better of the team vs their own greed. I hate the Patriots but Tom Brady from what I heard, signed for less so that way the money can be used to bring in better players too and well, he now has 6 or 7 Super Bowl championships along with 9 or 10 Super Bowl appearances.

As for Matthews, I think that is market value for him and his skill, talent and age and for only 5 years is a good deal for both sides. I am not a Maple Leafs fan, but you guys certainly have a fun team to watch with all that talent and skill. Obviously to keep this team down the road won't happen as others besides the ones mentioned will need raises. Muzzin is only 4 mil but after next year I am sure he will ask for a few mil more.

consistency, durability, leadership quality, experience etc etc. And remember who Tavares played with in NY.

I mean, how's paying for a promise of performance working out for us with Nylander?

Again, I have no issue with players wanting to get a billion dollars. I would want too. They are "pro" athletes. They all play for money.

It's the GM who is quite willingly enabling them. 11.7M is a fine number if we are talking 6-7 years. But at 5? Jeez. And Matthews acts as if he took a haircut for the team. It's that hypocrisy that makes me puke.
- gamerdoc

Nylander's just fine. It's been a month since he came back and he had no conditioning stint. People need to stop panicking. Matthews got paid what he's worth, why all the tears? So a billionaire had to spend a few extra bucks to secure his team's best player. There's tons of examples people have listed above that show Crosby and Malkin had the exact same structure in their deals.

Welcome to pro sports. This is why sometimes it is more fun watching college hockey and football because those guys play for their schools (the logo on the front and not the name on the back). They play with heart and passion. What is sad is these star players keep talking about how they want to win yet want top dollar. Which is fine as that is their worth but then handcuffing your team you can't expect to win it all. Plus, it isn't like they won't get bonuses and get tons of money for doing local ads and commercials.

Very few players look out for the better of the team vs their own greed. I hate the Patriots but Tom Brady from what I heard, signed for less so that way the money can be used to bring in better players too and well, he now has 6 or 7 Super Bowl championships along with 9 or 10 Super Bowl appearances.

As for Matthews, I think that is market value for him and his skill, talent and age and for only 5 years is a good deal for both sides. I am not a Maple Leafs fan, but you guys certainly have a fun team to watch with all that talent and skill. Obviously to keep this team down the road won't happen as others besides the ones mentioned will need raises. Muzzin is only 4 mil but after next year I am sure he will ask for a few mil more.
- Bojangle

That's exactly it. The fans see Brady (probably the GOAT) and Durant (one of the best) getting a haircut to keep the team and fantasize the Leafs players would do the same. When the fans see the players strictly behave for their own benefits and nothing else (while playing a lip service we want to keep the team intact), fans get disappointed.

Nylander's just fine. It's been a month since he came back and he had no conditioning stint. People need to stop panicking. Matthews got paid what he's worth, why all the tears? So a billionaire had to spend a few extra bucks to secure his team's best player. There's tons of examples people have listed above that show Crosby and Malkin had the exact same structure in their deals.
- mgriffen

The way I see it, basically, Toronto needs to outlast TB to have a prolonged success. At this rate, TB could outlast Toronto because in 5 years, keeping all these guys will be too expensive, and we would have 34 years old Tavares.

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

Hahaha - that's rich. A Sens fan trolling about players going to UFA
You'll know what it's like when the Sens draft Jack Hughes with their 1st this year and have to re-sign a true NHL star after their ELC expires. Oh, wait...oops.

Welcome to pro sports. This is why sometimes it is more fun watching college hockey and football because those guys play for their schools (the logo on the front and not the name on the back). They play with heart and passion. What is sad is these star players keep talking about how they want to win yet want top dollar. Which is fine as that is their worth but then handcuffing your team you can't expect to win it all. Plus, it isn't like they won't get bonuses and get tons of money for doing local ads and commercials.

Very few players look out for the better of the team vs their own greed. I hate the Patriots but Tom Brady from what I heard, signed for less so that way the money can be used to bring in better players too and well, he now has 6 or 7 Super Bowl championships along with 9 or 10 Super Bowl appearances.

As for Matthews, I think that is market value for him and his skill, talent and age and for only 5 years is a good deal for both sides. I am not a Maple Leafs fan, but you guys certainly have a fun team to watch with all that talent and skill. Obviously to keep this team down the road won't happen as others besides the ones mentioned will need raises. Muzzin is only 4 mil but after next year I am sure he will ask for a few mil more.
- Bojangle

Good thing the Leafs have Liljegren and Sandin for his replacement.
I think the salary cap rules, the way it stands, is a pile of donkey poop.

Teams shouldn't have to trade away or lose to free agency their drafted, developed players simply because they have done too good a job at the drafts. Some modifications should be put in place where your own drafted players salaries are not fully weighed against the cap....like maybe 75% of their salaries goes towards the cap...
I suppose if that happened, those players would seek more money in their deals, with greedy agents in their ears.

Just saying, doesn't seem right to be penalized for being a great drafting hockey team.

Define "accomplished". Cause I'd say they've accomplished quite a bit. Tavares doesn't have a cup either, and what? One playoff series win in all his years? Is that your metric for accomplishments? These are good players who deserve market value.
- mgriffen

Tenure in the league, a larger sample size of statistics to draw on, international tournament medals...for starters. Being accomplished doesn't exclusively mean a Cup. Is Joe Thornton accomplished in the NHL?

The issue I and most people seem to share is that Market Value for an RFA coming off their ELC and Market Value for a player eligible for a UFA contract are not the same and from McDavid on down the market shouldn't have been set where it is.

Tenure in the league, a larger sample size of statistics to draw on, international tournament medals...for starters. Being accomplished doesn't exclusively mean a Cup. Is Joe Thornton accomplished in the NHL?

The issue I and most people seem to share is that Market Value for an RFA coming off their ELC and Market Value for a player eligible for a UFA contract are not the same and from McDavid on down the market shouldn't have been set where it is.
- Deeps27

I have little doubt if Matthews were a UFA, he would have had offers well beyond what he got. Same with McDavid.

Edit: Many UFA's don't get market value, they get over market value.

I have little doubt if Matthews were a UFA, he would have had offers well beyond what he got. Same with McDavid.

Edit: Many UFA's don't get market value, they get over market value.
- Cooshie

If there is no cap I couldn’t care less how much they get paid. Now Marner believes he is worth every penny Matthew is worth as per Bob McKenzie

Good luck fielding a perennial contenders with 3 player making $35M.

How many NHL not named Tavares stars bolt their teams for UFA in the prime of their career? Chances of Matthews leaving at 26 are minuscule.
- Cooshie

Just this year you are going to have:

Stone
Panarin
Duchene
Skinner


All possibly on the market.


I think you are going to see more and more of this. Star players getting shorter term 2nd deals to get them to UFA at 25-26 so they can test the open market to make as much money as possible.

Why wouldn't they?

They owe teams nothing.

I have little doubt if Matthews were a UFA, he would have had offers well beyond what he got. Same with McDavid.

Edit: Many UFA's don't get market value, they get over market value.
- Cooshie

Something is going to happen.

Either the cap is going to have to rise a lot over the next few years, or players demands are going to have to start coming down.

You are going to have every 21-22 YO that comes in with any kind of production asking for 7MM +.

the current cap structure cannot handle that.

Either way, i see another lockout coming.

The Leafs are franked. What a horrible precedent set by Canada's most popular and media frenzied franchise.

The Leafs are franked. What a horrible precedent set by Canada's most popular and media frenzied franchise.
- Pixote Andolini

I like bashing the leafs as much as the next guy. but i do not see what T'ronna did wrong here?

This is the current NHL. Young stars getting massive 2nd contracts.

They can sign Kapanen on a bridge. Honestly, I don't see any issues for TOR going forward if they keep drafting OK.

They have Kadri, Hyman, Brown, Muzzin, Rielly on very friendly contracts for next season(s).

And if they have to trade someone that player still holds value...
- DutchSenators

Wouldn't an office with a desk and some chairs be easier?

I like bashing the leafs as much as the next guy. but i do not see what T'ronna did wrong here?

This is the current NHL. Young stars getting massive 2nd contracts.
- ImThatGuy

The Leafs did nothing wrong here. What was Dubas supposed to do? Not sign him? Trade him? Of course not. It's just the latest example of "If my team does it then it's great but if any other team does it then it's terrible." Cheer for the laundry, point the finger, we're all hypocrites. It's blown up only because it's the Leafs. I still recall the Red Wings being vilified back in 1997/98 for matching Carolina's offer sheet for Sergei Fedorov. How DARE they keep one of their best players! The vulgarity of it!

They paid up to keep Matthews as they should've. The next lockout is going to be so lit.

Tenure in the league, a larger sample size of statistics to draw on, international tournament medals...for starters. Being accomplished doesn't exclusively mean a Cup. Is Joe Thornton accomplished in the NHL?

The issue I and most people seem to share is that Market Value for an RFA coming off their ELC and Market Value for a player eligible for a UFA contract are not the same and from McDavid on down the market shouldn't have been set where it is.
- Deeps27

That was kind of my point. Matthews, Marner, and Nylander have all broken franchise records. No, they don't have cups or playoff series wins, but so what? They've been consistently excellent during their time in the league. The cap is going up, it will move along proportionately with player salaries. I'd rather haven them pay these guys for the their prime years than for past success - which is generally how contracts have been handed out.

The Leafs are franked. What a horrible precedent set by Canada's most popular and media frenzied franchise.
- Pixote Andolini

The best part of this post is you actually wrote out "franked" yourself instead of having the system sensor you automatically.

Here is the definition of the word precedent:
"An earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances."

Edmonton, Peter Chiarelli, Connor McDavid...these three things have something in common: they are the precedent to this situation.

I'll use it in a sentence for you: "Pixote Andolini has set the precedent for terrible troll jobs today."

Just this year you are going to have:

Stone
Panarin
Duchene
Skinner


All possibly on the market.


I think you are going to see more and more of this. Star players getting shorter term 2nd deals to get them to UFA at 25-26 so they can test the open market to make as much money as possible.

Why wouldn't they?

They owe teams nothing.
- ImThatGuy

Yet Doughty and Seguin signed with their teams. If they are offered great deals they stay.

Yet Doughty and Seguin signed with their teams. If they are offered great deals they stay.
- RogerRoeper

Yes, some will stay, some wont.

I think you are going to start seeing a shift though. more players are going to test the market to see what is out there.