Quoting: jonh514
First off, we've always had a respectful discussion in the past, can we please keep it clean going forward?
I think it's equally silly to expect the Leafs to just let Matthews walk in 1 year. If they don't have a deal in place July 2nd, they need to go and ask him where he would be willing to sign long term and use the offseason to maximize the return.
If he just wants to walk to UFA, it is what it is, but I think the Leafs have always treated him well, and I don't think he would block a trade if he doesn't want to sign.
A sign & trade makes sense in this circumstance, even if it's rarely used.
I didn't call you stupid. I called that line of thinking by Columbus stupid. But sure ill refrain from using that language all together in our conversations.
They won't let Matthews walk in 1 year. Thats why Friedman thinks Treliving is the frontrunner for the GM job. He had this exact same issue in the last 2 years ago and has learned his lesson. (Along with other reasons he would be a good GM in Toronto). Friedman has also talked in lengths about how even if Dubas stayed he is quite confident Matthews was not going to have a deal done right away. Take MacKinnon for example, he didn't sign his extension until September 20th. Not having a deal done by July 2nd is not a reason to panic, a deal that big takes time to finalize so it won't be done in just 2 days.
The problem with a Sign & Trade is there have only been 2 in NHL history
1st was Marian Hossa right after the cap was introduced, he was signed by Ottawa then immediately traded without warning to Atlanta. He had no idea he was being traded when he signed that deal.
2nd was Matthew Tkachuk, last summer. That deal happened that was because of the covid CBA changes. Since Tlachuk's previous contract was over but Calgary still held his rights Calgary was the only team in the league that could offer him an 8 year deal. So Florida paid premium for him to be on an 8 year, pre-signed deal to bri g down his AAV and have him longer.
With Auston Matthews, as long as a team holds his rights before next years Trade Deadline then they are able to sign him to an 8 year extension. There is no incentive for a buying team to pay extra for him to come pre-signed