Auston Matthews' Greedy Contract Expectations Set to Ruin the Maple Leafs Long-Term

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Julien Trekker
June 21, 2023 (3:25 PM)

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Auston Matthews, who will become a free agent next summer, has put pressure on Brad Treliving.

Now, the new Leafs GM has a difficult task of keeping both his star player and his boss happy. The challenge is huge because Matthews might ask for the highest salary in NHL history. It's even more challenging since his NMC will kick in on July 1st. Treliving clearly wants to deal with this quickly.

A Look at Matthews' Future Contract

In a recent article for The Athletic, Dom Luszczyszyn predicted a shocking number for Matthews' upcoming contract.

"Prior precedent would also suggest something relatively close to $12.5 million - like the deal MacKinnon just signed, right next to McDavid's - but Matthews shouldn't be held to that outdated figure either. Players should be paid based on their worth relative to the salary cap which is about to boom, not to an artificial ceiling based on a contract signed six years ago.

Over the next five years, Matthews is projected to be worth between 17-to-19 percent of the salary cap. The same as Crosby and Ovechkin back in the day.

In 2023-24 terms, that's $14.2 million to $15.9 million per year.
In 2024-25 terms, when Matthews' new contract would kick in, that's $14.9 million to $16.6 million per year. In 2025-26 terms, that's $15.6 million to $17.5 million per year."

Since Matthews' contract begins in 2024, experts predict he could earn between $14.9 million and $16.6 million, surpassing all current NHL players and putting the Maple Leafs in a tough financial situation.

With such high figures, it's clear the Leafs will expect Matthews to win the Stanley Cup to justify the massive investment.

Do you think Matthews will remain in Toronto?

As reported on Hockey Patrol - Experts Project Matthews' Next Contract and You Won't Believe the Number