It’s not often you have to see a player talk about contract negotiations when he’s not eligible to sign a new contract for another year, but Toronto Maple Leafs superstar center Auston Matthews had to do it. there on Wednesday.
After Nathan MacKinnon extended his eight-year contract to a $12.6 million cap on Tuesday, it makes Matthews the next-generation talent signed as the $11.6 million deal is now His tenure ends in 2024. This led to a lot of discussion, both about what he might implement in his new deal as well as whether that deal will even be signed with the Leafs or not. he is going to be a freelance agent.
Matthews said of MacKinnon’s new deal: “It was well worth it. “As for my situation, I don’t pay too much attention to that. It’s still a few years away. “
He won’t let contract negotiations consume too many stories this season, especially considering it’s a contract he’s not allowed to sign until at least July 1. 2023.
“I want to be clear about the things in the contract. I’ll cover it today, and that’s it,” Matthews said. “I am focused on the season, and we will deal with it after that. I love playing here. Now I treat it like home.”
Matthews is having an incredible 2021-22 season that has seen him score 60 goals in just 73 games along with 46 assists for a career-high 106. This season also saw him break Rick Vaive’s franchise record for goals in a single season as Maple Leaf. Matthews also became the first player to score 51 goals in 50 games since Mario Lemieux 1995-96. He won his first Hart Trophy as the tournament’s MVP, as well as his second Ted Lindsay Award and Rocket Richard Trophy.
While the tight-capped Leafs could be cause for concern about being able to give Matthews the money he wants in 2024, their current capitalization structure is pretty well established to provide give them plenty of room for Matthews’ new deal. Only John Tavares, Mitch Marner, Calle Jarnkrok and Morgan Rielly have contracts that run through 2024, leaving the Leafs with a projected cap of nearly $53 million, and that assumes the pay cap won’t rise. in the next two seasons.
