The Reason Auston Matthews Refused to Commit Long-Term in Toronto is Now Known

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Tom Banks
August 24, 2023 (8:52 PM)

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Auston Matthews inked a four-year extension on Wednesday night, making him the highest paid AAV player in the NHL, but why did the deal only last four-years?

Matthews' demands

While most players are inking deals north of seven or eight years, giving themselves the ultimate protection, Matthews bet on himself in a big way.

Now, NHL Insider Darren Dreger has revealed that the short-term deal was Matthews' biggest demand, as he wants to give himself the opportunity to hit free agency in his prime again, as well as evaluating just how the Leafs are going.

Matthews has committed to five seasons with the Leafs after agreeing to a four-year extension. Why does Toronto have unique circumstances regarding contracts, contrasting with other NHL teams?

A lot of this is rooted in Matthews. Stars like McDavid and Draisaitl must have questioned their own deals after Matthews signed his groundbreaking five-year extension. Normally, teams aim to secure young superstars for the long term. Matthews defied this norm, showing he wasn't keen on a lengthier commitment. Now, he's solidified his position with the Leafs for five years, which is ample time to evaluate the team's potential on and off the ice, especially with new management like Brad Treliving. Treliving would've ideally wanted a longer deal, but this current agreement suits both parties.

Breaking the mold

There's always positives and negatives to inking long-term deals, especially for names like Jonathan Huberdeau where their team took a major dip after year one, and that's exactly what Matthews will avoid with this deal.

Whether or not this catches on will depend on many factors, but Matthews, as such a big star, betting on himself could have major influence around the league going forward.

While players like Pastrnak, Barkov, and Tkachuk have inked seven or eight-year contracts, why hasn't Matthews' deal set a new standard across the NHL?

Every player's situation is unique. Opting for shorter terms requires confidence and faith in one's abilities. Matthews, while a proven NHL star, demonstrated courage in not settling for a max-term deal. Instead, he's wagering on himself and the Leafs' potential over the next five years.

Ultimately, it was a good deal for both parties, and now, Matthews has a chance to win a Cup in Toronto, while also hitting free agency again in his prime, so a good deal all around for No. 34.

As Read on Hockey Patrol - We Finally Know Why Auston Matthews Signed A Short Term Deal