Momentum building with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews extension
Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Contract extension talks between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews agent Judd Moldaver have intensified on a five or six-year deal.
Matthews yesterday.
“There’s no secret there’s a cap. So, try to find something that works for both sides and obviously helps us out with that whole situation. I’ll leave it to them and just continue to play hockey, and once it’s done, it’s done. That’ll be it,” said Matthews, after scoring in his third consecutive game.
Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas would like to get both Matthews and Mitch Marner both signed before the trade deadline.
“Yes, it would be selfishly for me beneficial,” Dubas said. “But for the players I think they have to make sure they’re fully comfortable in going into any arrangement when they’re fully happy and ready to do so.”
Pierre LeBrun: The Maple Leafs and agent Judd Moldaver are expected to continue talks this week and a five or six-year deal could get done over the next few weeks.
Mike Johnston of Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman said last night that the Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews camp will be sitting down to work out an extension.
They are likely looking at a five or six-year deal instead of an eight-year deal. A six-year deal would buy two years of unrestricted free agency.
Chris Johnston reported that he believes a five-year extension would be in the $11 million per season range a six-year deal could be closer to $12 million a season.
Nick Kypreos adds that once the Maple Leafs get Matthews locked up, they will turn their attention to Marner.
Marner’s camp has said they don’t want to negotiate during the season.