The Leafs can't rebuild now. The fans would riot.

If the team doesn't make it out of the first round this year, I'm not opposed to trading Matthews and continue around Marner and Nylander.

But the ask would be:

ARI 1st this year (not the OTT one) - top pick protected
ARI 1st in 25
Geekie
Guenther
Soderstrom

Yep I agree. I'm not particularly attached to any player yo be honest, but I loved the Willie contract when it was signed. I could never understand why people hated it. Mitch is so talented it is nuts too.

Zero chance Toronto gets a return like this for pending UFA that is set to make 15 million per. I doubt Matthews leaves Toronto, but if he does, the return wont be that big

He said "the ask would be".

If Matthew's wants to come home, he will and it will only cost the Yotes cash. Lots of cash.

The problem is Matthews won't want to go to a team as bad as the Coyotes.

It's absolutely silly trade for Arizona, trading so much for one year of Matthews. And for a few dollars more on his hockey contract, why does Matthews sign long term in the worse hockey market in the US, and not a big sports market in the USA.

If they get their new arena and continue to add depth to the roster through the draft, I can see Matthews taking on the role of savior of the franchise.

Yep, that's an option for sure (though I don't really see it). But July 2024, we will know for sure what Matthews thinking is.
I see the Kings, Ducks, Leafs and Hawks as his choices.

He'll go where the taxes are low, the lifestyle is good and family is close by. That, and a team on the upswing where his presence makes the difference. Sounds like AZ to me.