Good luck selling Matthews on that. Lol.

Why would Matthews take that?

has anyone told u that matthews would never take that?

Why do you have to be so negative

Do you think he’s going to sign 1 year 9m deal?

No but maybe ten

Doubt it more like like 8 years at 12.5

toronto was tavares home team, so he took a discount. why should matthews? he's gonna make bank

A one year deal while he is young is okay but the leafs will have more cap one year from then so it would be smart for one of the young players to sign a 1 year deal

Yup, but i don’t see it being Matthews. Someone will back up the Brinks truck and sign him to an offer sheet.

Like you’re Arizona coyotes

Not mine. They would be likely candidate. So would the Isles who will have cap space and a motive.

Why are we taking 2 bad contracts for nothing??

He will be signed before that... I hope lol. But the coyotes??? No way they have the money.

They better get on it because you know somone will. Only consolation is there will only be a few teams that will have the cap space to do it.

so what your saying is next year Matthews will be holding out?

100% they have the money. It's the way of the game with the NHL's revenue sharing system. Every team that made a profit at then end of the year pays the losses of other teams. Arizona has been the team that's benefited the most of this.

So if Matthews does get an offer sheet by Arizona (which he 100% will if TOR doesn't sign him before July 1st.) In a way that's kind of hilarious, TOR will have paid a part of it to happen, since they are one of the biggest contributors to sharing their revenue. LOL

Think you are confusing cap space with money.... they don’t have the money to slide him 15-16m and still ice a team. If they did that team would be so weak we would probably make our well with 4 1st round picks.

They didn’t have the money for kessel...

I am getting a little confused now. I was specifically talking about money $$$. You sir I believe are talking about the salary cap. A $15mil cap hit is not impossible if he were the only player on the team to make that kind of salary (10 +), which he would be. Also Arizona could easily and definitely would move a Vet Dman and a few depth players (and fill those spots with younger player) if that meant getting Matthews.

Arizona losing four 1st rd picks would be nothing for what getting Matthews would do to that organization. From Merchandise to ticket sales. Arizona would happily pay the price.

No way Matthews even considers this, even if you gave him max, because of his injury history.

Matthews wont be getting McDavid money. I know the stupid Toronto media likes to make comparisons, but he is much closer to a better Eichel than a worse McDavid. Take Eichel's deal and add inflation + a bit. If I am the Leafs I try to settle on 11, but will give him 11.34 if he wants to be highest paid and such.

Edit: Eichel plus inflation at 82.5 cap is 10.997,250 aav. 11 is a more than fair number for Matthews.

I know the thinking that Matthews would be a boon to Arizona hockey. I doubt it after seeing the game last December. Leafs played in late December in Arizona, the arena wasn't full. And the crowd, snowbirds, cheering for the Leafs.
I think the issue with the next Matthews will be term. He might want UFA freedom sooner in his career than signing a eight year contract. Maybe a place like the Rangers, or LA might be more his preference in six years rather than Arizona or the Leafs. I'm thinking. he will relish five years as Leafs on a good team and then might want to move on.
On the original post. really almost zero chance that Gardiner is resigned as a Leaf. Leafs don't have the cap for good Gardiner and have cheaper replacements at LHD.

They're not being negative, Just being practical. No way Matthews takes a one year deal. Especially only for $9 million.

Yeah Matthews would never accept a one year deal, In a million years.

Yes he would because he knows the leafs won’t trade him and that there is more money on the table for him next year, he could get around 13M