I said the day Marner signed his extension that he would not finish that contract in Toronto. For a lot of reasons, mostly... He can't live up to that salary and once they realize they can't break through with so much money invested up front Mitch is the slam dunk out.

Because willie is a steal at his money, JT is as locked in as you can get, and Matthews is a franchise player. That's the difference between Auston and Mitch. Marner may be elite, but Auston is a FRANCHISE player.

I think they throw everything they can at Matthews, and I think he takes it. Because he's big on his lifestyle and he didn't attain that by being a nobody in Arizona.

I believe they'll let Matthews walk before they ever even think of trading him, if for nothing else because they will choose at the deadline that an extra 2-3 months to convince him to stay is worth the risk he walks. That's how much he means to this organization, he is THE guy.

It's for these reasons and more I gotta take the opposite on the betting side of this one with ya. 😉
- joel878

Lol that’s fine, the one thing you aren’t considering is Matthews is not from Canada and isn’t playing for his favourite team. And after this contract he gets to decide where he wants to play and let’s face it, pretty much any team in the league will pay him what he wants.

did he specifically say he wanted to play in ARZ?
because if he did, what gm would trade for him knowing that? maybe as a rental, but his value sure would take a hit.
- fidopro

Of course he hasn’t specifically said anything. No way in hell any NHL player would

Im interested in where they play in the interim. Because even if this goes through, and that's a huge if... They do not have an ice sheet for next September.
- joel878

It’s where the owner wants to be so they’ll find some place I’m sure.

He’s likely just looking for the best deal atm. That’s the coyotes goal this year, to have the owner figure poop out

Well also, Tampa didn't win a cup by trading star players who hadn't even turned 25 for draft picks.
- joel878

Better management, better coaching, better roster building, better cap allocation, a HOF goalie…

By the time hes up for an extension he will have played in Toronto for... 8 years?

Dude can make as good or better money here, playing in one of the biggest hockey markets on earth, before he even touches endorsements that have no cap.

They'll be dangling the C in front of him, he'll be on the cusp of breaking franchise records in between partying with Beiber and Kylie Jenner.

Or, he could go home to Phoenix to a franchise that can't pay their janitors in a city no one even recognizes him if they still exist. 🤷🏻‍♂️
- joel878

Yeah, he’s staying.

Well also, Tampa didn't win a cup by trading star players who hadn't even turned 25 for draft picks.
- joel878

Great. Then for starters, we'll just blow kisses to Moe when he walks away at season's end. Draft picks be damn.

Lol that’s fine, the one thing you aren’t considering is Matthews is not from Canada and isn’t playing for his favourite team. And after this contract he gets to decide where he wants to play and let’s face it, pretty much any team in the league will pay him what he wants.
- Dozzer

You're right. I don't really take that into consideration because his hometown team is a complete and total mess. Forget Auston, what player would want to sign a long term contract there these days? They can offer absolutely zero job security, how does one know signing there doesn't equate to moving to God knows what market.

That... And I think where a player is from is very overrated. I'm going to say as much without fact checking it whatsoever... But I feel players willingly sign away from their hometowns a lot. Like.. more than they do with them. It's the whole work vs play thing. Work is somewhere else for lots of people.

It’s where the owner wants to be so they’ll find some place I’m sure.

He’s likely just looking for the best deal atm. That’s the coyotes goal this year, to have the owner figure poop out
- Dozzer

Highly recommend the Athletic read from 4-5 months ago about what a complete and total disaster ownership and that entire organization are currently. If I could find it, I'd forward you the link.

They're the definition of a (frank)ing mess.

Great. Then for starters, we'll just blow kisses to Moe when he walks away at season's end. Draft picks be damn.
- Leafsmart

Oh. I think the "under 25" part may have went over year head.

I have zero issue sending Morgan away for a player and some futures. 🤷🏻‍♂️

You're right. I don't really take that into consideration because his hometown team is a complete and total mess. Forget Auston, what player would want to sign a long term contract there these days? They can offer absolutely zero job security, how does one know signing there doesn't equate to moving to God knows what market.

That... And I think where a player is from is very overrated. I'm going to say as much without fact checking it whatsoever... But I feel players willingly sign away from their hometowns a lot. Like.. more than they do with them. It's the whole work vs play thing. Work is somewhere else for lots of people.
- joel878

I would agree with what you’re saying if he didn’t head home in every offseason

If he didn’t want to be home he wouldn’t do that. Also, if he can go to another place in his home country like NY where he gets paid the same but nobody recognizes him in public he’ll likely prefer it.

Highly recommend the Athletic read from 4-5 months ago about what a complete and total disaster ownership and that entire organization are currently. If I could find it, I'd forward you the link.

They're the definition of a (frank)ing mess.
- joel878

Yeah, but maybe losing the rink will make the owner smarten up…. Now he’s looking to spend 1.7 billion in Arizona. I have a tough time believing the state won’t figure out a way to make it work. Job creation alone.

I would agree with what you’re saying if he didn’t head home in every offseason

If he didn’t want to be home he wouldn’t do that. Also, if he can go to another place in his home country like NY where he gets paid the same but nobody recognizes him in public he’ll likely prefer it.
- Dozzer

so what do you do? trade him asap to maximise value? wait till the last minute to try to extend him? Leafs can't afford to lose him. anyone else but him.

Oh no don’t lose that 40-50P guy (once only) who now costs over 5 million a year
- Dozzer

People need to play more fantasy sports and truly understand how trades work. Nobody values your own guys as much as you do, nobody offers you squat and no one is blind to the issues a teams needs/wants.

so what do you do? trade him asap to maximise value? wait till the last minute to try to extend him? Leafs can't afford to lose him. anyone else but him.
- fidopro

But it is no longer their call.

Basically have him agree like Nurse and sign his new contract before the last year of his current contract even begins or move him.

Can you imagine what that would be like in Toronto? The media would talk non stop about him on the last year of his contract with a NMC. Matthews would hate it I guarantee it.

In Toronto, for a guy like that, they need him to agree to signing a contract that starts a year later or move him because the media will talk about nothing else non bloody stop.

But it is no longer their call.

Basically have him agree like Nurse and sign his new contract before the last year of his current contract even begins or move him.

Can you imagine what that would be like in Toronto? The media would talk non stop about him on the last year of his contract with a NMC. Matthews would hate it I guarantee it.

In Toronto, for a guy like that, they need him to agree to signing a contract that starts a year later or move him because the media will talk about nothing else non bloody stop.
- Dozzer

Absolute nightmare. Just look what happened when Kawhi was here.

People need to play more fantasy sports and truly understand how trades work. Nobody values your own guys as much as you do, nobody offers you squat and no one is blind to the issues a teams needs/wants.
- Aaron_85

Oh I know lol

That’s why starting today and moving forward I’m simply going to start asking people if they’d agree to the deal if they were the other team’s GM

Absolute nightmare. Just look what happened when Kawhi was here.
- Aaron_85

I know! And that’s not even the leafs!

I would agree with what you’re saying if he didn’t head home in every offseason

If he didn’t want to be home he wouldn’t do that. Also, if he can go to another place in his home country like NY where he gets paid the same but nobody recognizes him in public he’ll likely prefer it.
- Dozzer

Could be, I can't say you're wrong.

Just if I'm a betting man, I'm taking the other side of that coin. 🤣

Oh I know lol

That’s why starting today and moving forward I’m simply going to start asking people if they’d agree to the deal if they were the other team’s GM
- Dozzer

Trades are supremely difficult to make. The idea of "trade Marner for a top, young Dman" and other top prospects and picks without retaining salary is harder than anyone thinks.

First you need to identify a team with that player. Then you need that GM to want to trade them. Also want to trade them for Marner as if they have a need for him.

GMs may like Marner for their team but doesn't mean it's a fit in all aspects.

Yeah, but maybe losing the rink will make the owner smarten up…. Now he’s looking to spend 1.7 billion in Arizona. I have a tough time believing the state won’t figure out a way to make it work. Job creation alone.
- Dozzer

If I own that team I'm looking at history here and doing whatever I can to get that team the hell out of Arizona. Couldn't imagine dumping literal truckloads of money into keeping them there at that point. 🤮

Could be, I can't say you're wrong.

Just if I'm a betting man, I'm taking the other side of that coin. 🤣
- joel878

If I was one I’d bet against ya lol

I think he’ll stick around if the leafs are true cup contenders but if they’re not I won’t be surprised if he wants out. Think about it, he’s in year 6 now in Toronto. Be 8 years if he plays out the full contract. If the leafs haven’t made any true progress, I doubt he stays.

I would agree with what you’re saying if he didn’t head home in every offseason

If he didn’t want to be home he wouldn’t do that. Also, if he can go to another place in his home country like NY where he gets paid the same but nobody recognizes him in public he’ll likely prefer it.
- Dozzer

No way he’d ever choose ARI over TOR. just stop speculating. You know the exact same intel I do with respect to his future choice. 0

Trades are supremely difficult to make. The idea of "trade Marner for a top, young Dman" and other top prospects and picks without retaining salary is harder than anyone thinks.

First you need to identify a team with that player. Then you need that GM to want to trade them. Also want to trade them for Marner as if they have a need for him.

GMs may like Marner for their team but doesn't mean it's a fit in all aspects.
- Aaron_85

Also at 11 million not many GMs will even have the approval from their owner to take him on

I know that sounds nuts but a lot of owners in the NHL won’t want to pay that unless it’s for a true blue huge star player

No way he’d ever choose ARI over TOR. just stop speculating. You know the exact same intel I do with respect to his future choice. 0
- GreenMonster

So he wouldn’t want to play for his favourite team instead of the most stressful one?

(frank) off you know it all. At least I admit it’s a guess.

If I own that team I'm looking at history here and doing whatever I can to get that team the hell out of Arizona. Couldn't imagine dumping literal truckloads of money into keeping them there at that point. 🤮
- joel878

The owner has openly stated he wants to stay in Arizona