Insider: Auston Matthews' future in Toronto still not 100%
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O. EngMay 20, 2022 (12:58)
NHL analyst and insider Chris Johnston has recently gone on the record to state that there is still a huge possibility that the Auston Matthews' future come 2024 is still very uncertain.
Matthews, 24 has two years left in his 5 year $58,195,000 million dollar contract. The big news is, if the Leafs fail to sign him in 2022-2023, he will be enter as UFA in the 2023-24 season with a full no trade clause.
Essentially, this means Matthews cannot be traded for assets unless he waives his clause and will be able to walk for free in two seasons time.
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Concerning that news, Chris Johnston says that he cannot be certain Matthews will never play in Arizona. On the Chris Johnston (CJ) show on Youtube, Johnston spoke about the leafs' future next season in an all in mode.
"He wants to win. He wants to be playing the games in late May and in June and have a chance to win the Stanley Cup. So first and foremost, when he signs that next contract, wherever it is, he's gonna be signing in a place he believes he has a great chance to win."
The big question is, how will Matthews be feeling in a years time about the direction of the leafs. Tavares is getting older and in a flat cap world, they have been unable to get out the first round since 2004.
What would happen if the team pulls a Montreal and falls drastically? Would Matthews want to resign with the Leafs come July 1, 2023?
"The stakes on the next season in Toronto are so high. So much higher than this last year...Everything has to be on the table because you just cant be in a position where Auston Matthews doesn't want to sign that deal come July 1, 2023."
Credit: SDPN
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