The motivation to stay in Toronto is familiarity, massive hockey market he's essentially a celebrity in that's tied to unparalleled endorsement cash.

The guy is hanging out with Beiber and its not cause he plays for some poope American market he wouldn't be recognized walking down the street in.

Why is it so tough to believe he would want to stay in Toronto? Blake Wheeler stays in Winnipeg ffs. 😂
- joel878

I think the opportunities for Wheeler were not even in the same ballpark once he had reached Winnipeg, as underrated as he has been most of his career.

Sure, Matthews might stay, it the Leafs throw bags of money at him in year 4, but what is the cost of doing that? One potential cost is the chance at McDavid, because I think he is gone from Edmonton after his contract also.

Twitter has taught me that only 20% of people will catch Covid, and that there is a 99.8% survival rate.

So 328,000,000 * .2 *.002 = 131,200 deaths in the U.S.

I am sure the families of the other 500,000+ dead people are relieved to hear those anti-vax statistics.
- Aetherial

There's a delicious irony in how people will, in the same breath, say that america is the greatest country in the world... and then completely ignore the most advanced peer reviewed medical research establishment in the world in favour of dubious clinical studies from egypt and argentina

Obviously it depends on the return, but I don't think a full rebuild is necessary. On the other hand, it is tough to imagine anything other than a serious overhaul if they let Reilly walk for nothing and then deal Matthews.

They basically have one more shot and then they need to change direction. They have done very poorly with asset management because they believed the time to win was now. I already believe they have been criminally stupid, but they are going to try for one more season. I guess in for a penny, in for a pound.
- Aetherial

I just don't want to see this team become a middle of the pack team the way we were under Burke. We should either be a clear playoff team (who hopefully figure it out in the playoffs), or a clear bottom feeder.

Trading Matthews (who I think scored over 20% of the leafs goals last year) Would be a hole too big to fill i think. At that point, we might as well blow it up and acquire a treasure trove of prospects who can come up together, demand too much money, and then underperform in the playoffs...

AM is the most talented player the Leafs have ever had.
People need to accept that he has not performed in the playoffs and with the team enjoying no success, what is the motivation to stay in Toronto. Why is it so tough to believe that he would rather be in a big US city?
- Aetherial

If you’re making that kind of money, Canada is better in a lot of ways for a single guy👍🏿

1.fat shaming is still cool so chicks are more fit by and large 👍

2. people are more polite by and large👍🏿

3. i can’t think of anything else🤦‍♂️

I think the opportunities for Wheeler were not even in the same ballpark once he had reached Winnipeg, as underrated as he has been most of his career.

Sure, Matthews might stay, it the Leafs throw bags of money at him in year 4, but what is the cost of doing that? One potential cost is the chance at McDavid, because I think he is gone from Edmonton after his contract also.
- Aetherial

Not so sure the bags of money will be the biggest factor. That said, Nylander and Matthews are both up at the same time, so there may be extra $ available should the Leafs decide to move Nylander before his deal is up. The possibility of having both Matthews and McDavid up the middle might be very enticing.

AM is the most talented player the Leafs have ever had.
People need to accept that he has not performed in the playoffs and with the team enjoying no success, what is the motivation to stay in Toronto. Why is it so tough to believe that he would rather be in a big US city?
- Aetherial

Its not tough to believe at all. Anything can happen
But as of today there is absolutely no indication that it is a fact that he will be leaving.
None.

AM is the most talented player the Leafs have ever had.
People need to accept that he has not performed in the playoffs and with the team enjoying no success, what is the motivation to stay in Toronto. Why is it so tough to believe that he would rather be in a big US city?
- Aetherial

We are the only ones feeling the need to decide this today. My guess is that they’re all aware of their poor playoff performances and want to correct them both for team success and to improve their individual standing.

If the team looks like it’s circling the drain as his contract winds up, there might not be a lot of reason to stay. If he, Mitch and others turn things around and he likes the path of the team, he might feel differently.

Either way, it’s in his interest to turn things around while he’s here.

Its not tough to believe at all. Anything can happen
But as of today there is absolutely no indication that it is a fact that he will be leaving.
None.
- Fakepartofme

But there's no indication that he will stay either. Nobody can possibly know!

But there's no indication that he will stay either. Nobody can possibly know!
- TheMussel

You’re suffering alcohol withdrawal

But there's no indication that he will stay either. Nobody can possibly know!
- TheMussel

I can

You’re suffering alcohol withdrawal
- Canada Cup

how did you know I was hungover?

I think the opportunities for Wheeler were not even in the same ballpark once he had reached Winnipeg, as underrated as he has been most of his career.

Sure, Matthews might stay, it the Leafs throw bags of money at him in year 4, but what is the cost of doing that? One potential cost is the chance at McDavid, because I think he is gone from Edmonton after his contract also.
- Aetherial

If McJesus really wants to be a leaf...he will be. But that's a worry for 2027
Matthews is an FA in 2024
Tavares is an FA in 2025
Marner is an FA in 2025

There will be money available, who gets how much, or how much will be available will depend on the leafs success over the next 3 years and the how much the cap increases.
The leafs could keep matthews. marner and sign McJesus potentially.
Who knows.
But can not enjoy the players we have or do we have to doom and gloom for the next 3 years and chase one of the best centers we've had decades out of town?

how did you know I was hungover?
- TheMussel

You started talking about drinking at 10

Twitter has taught me that only 20% of people will catch Covid, and that there is a 99.8% survival rate.

So 328,000,000 * .2 *.002 = 131,200 deaths in the U.S.

I am sure the families of the other 500,000+ dead people are relieved to hear those anti-vax statistics.
- Aetherial

get the vaccine though. llorona can be nasty if you get it.

i drunk dialed a very healthy buddy last weekend and he was in the ICU with the covid

i got vaccinated because, why not? I get a flu shot every year and I’ve had more vaccinations than i can remember from army

the problem is that they’re wasting money on vaccinating people who’ve already had corona and didn’t get out ahead of testing people for antibodies

[quote=Canada Cup]

I can
- AdamFrench

Not even the Clash knew

But there's no indication that he will stay either. Nobody can possibly know!
- TheMussel

Outside of him saying he loves playing for the leafs, Toronto etc.
I get it he's not going to say otherwise and he is saying what is expected to say, but as of today, there's more indication that he would sign than there is he would leave.
As of today.
As of the end of this season.....well that could change.

But today is all we have dammit!

Not even the Clash knew
- Canada Cup

Oh they knew.
It was just mental games they played.

how did you know I was hungover?
- TheMussel

Just a daily assumption no?

You started talking about drinking at 10
- Canada Cup

I talk about drinking at 10am even when I'm not hungover

Just a daily assumption no?

- Fakepartofme

I WISH!

Drinking is the best. Can't handle it on the daily anymore though.

[quote=winsix]


Allez aux barricades, comrades

Such a bizarre movie.

I just don't want to see this team become a middle of the pack team the way we were under Burke. We should either be a clear playoff team (who hopefully figure it out in the playoffs), or a clear bottom feeder.

Trading Matthews (who I think scored over 20% of the leafs goals last year) Would be a hole too big to fill i think. At that point, we might as well blow it up and acquire a treasure trove of prospects who can come up together, demand too much money, and then underperform in the playoffs...
- Leafs43

Marner is very much more easily replaced than Matthews.

Convince me I'm wrong. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Potential for McDavid and Marner on the same line for Canada.
Hopefully Matthews doesnt fully heal until after the olympics lol

I WISH!

Drinking is the best. Can't handle it on the daily anymore though.
- TheMussel

I hear ya.
gotta give the body a break, lol