Leaf fans do you think Marner has a case to want the same contract as Matthews?
- sabreadvocate1

It has to be close but after factoring in the fact than Matthews is a centre and will probably get the C, Marner's number has to be lower. So take the long term deal around $11 or take your pay cut and we'll talk in 3 years.

Eklund: “Marner Situation needs to be taken over by Mitch.”
- Eklund

I agree so much.

Leaf fans do you think Marner has a case to want the same contract as Matthews?
- sabreadvocate1

Is he seriously whining over 600k per year though? Like cmon, give me a break.

He will be rich as (frank), with another big contract to be made later on. The hold out is getting ridiculous. With all the unsigned RFA's, not just Mitch.

The problem with this argument is Matthews played 68 games to Marner's 82. Auston leads the NHL in 5 on 5 goals since entering the NHL, and judging a player's ability by Babcock's usage is crazy. Matthews is 38th in TOI among ccs. Does that mean he's not that good?
A different coach and Matthews would be playing a ton more.
- RogerRoeper

This... this guy has a point

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...,1&sort=goalsPer60Minutes

This... this guy has a point

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...,1&sort=goalsPer60Minutes
- ChrisGoalie39

I honestly didn't want to bring up the Babcock usage argument into this because I know some people disagree but unfortunately it is a factor imo...a small one but one Dubas obviously agrees with.

I honestly didn't want to bring up the Babcock usage argument into this because I know some people disagree but unfortunately it is a factor imo...a small one but one Dubas obviously agrees with.
- HockeyCanadian

You can't have him as the 38th most used C in the NHL. And using him 18 minutes in game 7 is an even bigger joke.


I don't think people realize how fantastic Matthews' numbers are given his usage.

The Leafs and Dubas are responsible for the current situation in the signing of Marner. The reason is they gave Matthews both contract dollars and player preferable term and Marner wants the same. If they Leafs offered Mitch 11.5 for 5 years he would be signed, but the Leafs want 7 or 8 years for 11 million and less for a 3 year term. Like it or not, Marner has lead the team in point in back to back years, and every fantasy hockey pool magazine out there has him as the leader for this upcoming season as well. In fact several have him top 10 in the league, one even top 5. Leafs will need to pay him, and fans shouldn’t get upset about it. Matthews, Willy, and Tavares all got the contracts they wanted. Mitch should expect the same.

You can't have him as the 38th most used C in the NHL. And using him 18 minutes in game 7 is an even bigger joke.


I don't think people realize how fantastic Matthews' numbers are given his usage.
- RogerRoeper

Agreed, given the players who had more ice time in the 3rd period than he did....i.e. Marleau

The Leafs and Dubas are responsible for the current situation in the signing of Marner. The reason is they gave Matthews both contract dollars and player preferable term and Marner wants the same. If they Leafs offered Mitch 11.5 for 5 years he would be signed, but the Leafs want 7 or 8 years for 11 million and less for a 3 year term. Like it or not, Marner has lead the team in point in back to back years, and every fantasy hockey pool magazine out there has him as the leader for this upcoming season as well. In fact several have him top 10 in the league, one even top 5. Leafs will need to pay him, and fans shouldn’t get upset about it. Matthews, Willy, and Tavares all got the contracts they wanted. Mitch should expect the same.
- malcolmthornton

He leads the Leafs because of Matthews' injuries. Matthews is a C and beats Marner in every advanced stat.

This "Only cracked 70 points once" is so lazy and stupid.

37 goals, 73 points in 68 games and 38th in usage among NHL centres. Leads the NHL in 5 on 5 goals since enttering the NHL (By far).

As you can tell by the NHls highest paid players, goals are a premium. Matthews is the most efficient goal scorer since Ovy entered the NHl 15 years ago.

Agreed, given the players who had more ice time in the 3rd period than he did....i.e. Marleau
- HockeyCanadian

I am still stunned by that 3rd period.

It's funny how every summer Dubas trades Babcock's favouite players that he overuses.

WE have still yet to see the Leafs best lineup once under Babcock.

Marner doesn't give a rats ass what I think....

but the longer this goes the more damage done to his reputation....

He needs to fire his Dad and not the agent

Hearing he wants $13m and a letter on his Jersey....

not gonna happen

#gotoswedenbumhole

The Leafs and Dubas are responsible for the current situation in the signing of Marner. The reason is they gave Matthews both contract dollars and player preferable term and Marner wants the same. If they Leafs offered Mitch 11.5 for 5 years he would be signed, but the Leafs want 7 or 8 years for 11 million and less for a 3 year term. Like it or not, Marner has lead the team in point in back to back years, and every fantasy hockey pool magazine out there has him as the leader for this upcoming season as well. In fact several have him top 10 in the league, one even top 5. Leafs will need to pay him, and fans shouldn’t get upset about it. Matthews, Willy, and Tavares all got the contracts they wanted. Mitch should expect the same.
- malcolmthornton

Who gives a sh!t about fantasy (unless of course you have him in your pool). Evvvvvveryone knows the unplanned signing of Tavares screwed everyone on the leafs out of millions but Marner especially should be okay with he fact that Tavares is now on the team. He has to take the 8 or 3 year or he sits lol.

Who gives a sh!t about fantasy (unless of course you have him in your pool). Evvvvvveryone knows the unplanned signing of Tavares screwed everyone on the leafs out of millions but Marner especially should be okay with he fact that Tavares is now on the team. He has to take the 8 or 3 year or he sits lol.
- HockeyCanadian

I don't understand this, they have the $ to sign Marner. JT was the best signing by any team in years.

I don't understand this, they have the $ to sign Marner. JT was the best signing by any team in years.
- RogerRoeper

Of course it was, I was being facetious. His point was everyone got what they wanted but really they got what Dubas penciled them in at. Thee problem is Marner isn't taking the money allotted to him. He'll come around one way or another.

I don't wanna give away the source, but it's none other than former NHLer Feter Porsberg
- ChonDerry

Ah, you mean it's Foppa? Or I guess it's Poppa?

then by your logic: marner>>eichel
- Tumbleweed

#1Center > #1winger

#1 winger > #2 center

1C(Eichel) > 2C(Matthews)

Matthews is undoubtedly one of the best 2Cs in the league, but Marner is an elite 1st line winger

#1Center > #1winger

1C(Eichel) > 2C(Matthews)

Matthews is undoubtedly one of the best 2Cs in the league, but Marner is an elite 1st line winger
- jcragcrumple

So a guy who had 37 goals, 73 points as a C in 68 games is a #2 C? That's a 45 goal, 90 point pace FYI with only 18 minutes of playing time.

He leads the Leafs because of Matthews' injuries. Matthews is a C and beats Marner in every advanced stat.

This "Only cracked 70 points once" is so lazy and stupid.

37 goals, 73 points in 68 games and 38th in usage among NHL centres. Leads the NHL in 5 on 5 goals since enttering the NHL (By far).

As you can tell by the NHls highest paid players, goals are a premium. Matthews is the most efficient goal scorer since Ovy entered the NHl 15 years ago.
- RogerRoeper

I wonder how that might affect his usage

I wonder how that might affect his usage
- Pie

So 18 minutes in game 7 made sense and it was because of his injury from 4 months earlier?

Babcock since day 1 has coached like this. Ask Wings fans.

There are lots of players who have missed more games due to injury playing much more.

So a guy who had 37 goals, 73 points as a C in 68 games is a #2 C?
- RogerRoeper

Yeah. He's a 2C. He plays less than JT. He's being sheltered as evidenced by his TOI in the playoffs

He's good in his role, don't get me wrong, but the leafs signed JT to be the big dog for at least a couple more years. Better make the most of it before that JT contract goes south though

Yeah. He's a 2C. He plays less than JT. He's being sheltered as evidenced by his TOI in the playoffs

He's good in his role, don't get me wrong, but the leafs signed JT to be the big dog for at least a couple more years. Better make the most of it before that JT contract goes south though
- jcragcrumple

So Malkin has only ever been a #2 C? Gotcha.

So 18 minutes in game 7 made sense and it was because of his injury from 4 months earlier?

Babcock since day 1 has coached like this. Ask Wings fans.

There are lots of players who have missed more games due to injury playing much more.
- RogerRoeper

Which Wings fans? The ones before or after he left?

Which Wings fans? The ones before or after he left?
- Pie

Wings fans always hated how he did not play the stars enough and stuck plugs on the top 2 lines.

Interestingly enough, the 1 cup he has was the year he played Zetterberg/Datsyuk 21+ minutes per.

Auston Matthews needs to play much more. End of story. I really can't look at his usage and judge him. His stats are just fantastic given his usage. What's harder than scoring 5 on 5 goals?

#1Center > #1winger

#1 winger > #2 center

1C(Eichel) > 2C(Matthews)

Matthews is undoubtedly one of the best 2Cs in the league, but Marner is an elite 1st line winger
- jcragcrumple

good points.

stepan, domi and zajac are all #1 C's too. all individually > matthews

#1Center > #1winger

#1 winger > #2 center

1C(Eichel) > 2C(Matthews)

Matthews is undoubtedly one of the best 2Cs in the league, but Marner is an elite 1st line winger
- jcragcrumple

I doubt there's many GMs in the league who'd take Eichel ahead of Matthews. Or Marner for that matter.

If the 2015 draft happened again today it's not even a sure thing he goes in the top 5.