That would be ok honestly as a leafs fans we are used to disappointment ( him leaving ) but when looking at the trade Gabriel will probably sign for 5-5.5 mil x 6 which is good long term for us and even then it’s better than what Matthews will ever sign. Ecept mikey Anderson 8years 🤯

Yeah making the best from a bad situation. Dubas should not have walked him to UFA.

If Matthews won’t extend, why wouldn’t the Kings just wait until July 1st, 2024 and get him without giving up those high value assets?

If Matthews won't resign, Kings can just sign him in Free Agency. These Matthews trades are hilarious.

I hope this is the outcome for the leafs.
This is the perfect trade partner, they have the correct pieces and would go crazy for a Matthews level talent.

This leafs team just can't win if they sign Matthews to a 12.5+ aav, they would have to trade two 80-100pt players? to make room for his single 80-100pts. It just doesn't work. Marner, Nylander plus the great young players this trade gets them are much more sensible than just having Matthews at 13.5mil+(expected ballpark).

The only other thing I could think, you consider this next season a throw away to get JT off the books. Trade Nylander now. Sign Matthews to his 13.5m and then you "rebuild" around Matthews/Marner.
But we've already seen examples of teams having 2 spectacular players signed to 10m+ contracts being too much money to build a competitive team around, so I dunno! Lol

well you are then competing with every other team to sign him.