firstly matthews is a center, kucherov is a winger. the center always is more valauble to a team. secondly kucherov signed in sunny florida and in a low key market with a low tax rate. matthews played in the media hub of hockey in toronto, its cold here, u cant wear shorts to practice everyday, and the taxes are high. huge difference.

Matthews will get 11. If McDavid got 12.5 in EDM Matthews will get 11. Tampa is very lucky to have no state income tax. That's a big help.

If they use Eichel and McDavid as comps, Matthews should end up around $11M.

Yeah but Mathews is no where close to the player that Mcdavid is

First, team find players simlar. You can mske the arguement that kucherov is more skilled than mathhews at least production wise. Second, do you think Matthews a
Cares about how cold it us here he was living in Michigan, and Switzerland so is toronto alot colder than those 2 places. Finally, from they way Marner, Nylander, and Matthews were part of recruiting Tavares and the fact that it has been reported the Shanhan explained if the get him sacrifices in salery will be needed if they really want to help win chsmpionship i'm pretty sure all 3 are going to leave $$ on the table. So 9.5 still looks like what matthews should make.

Agree these people are more hopeful matthews get max $$ so the leafs can't compete. Eichel got 10.5 cause buffalo were scared a team was going to offer more even though he was an RFA. And just cause they have better tax situation doesn't mean matthews will get more you can make the agruement if he can win a cup he will luckly never have to pay for another meal in toronto? And he will get sick money from endorsement deals.

should get 12.5M based on percentage of cap

Kuch has already signed a cheap 3 year bridge contract. Then in the final 2 years of that contract, he’s absolutely destroyed the NHL and been in conversation for the Hart trophy.
McDavid has won the Hart trophy, a couple of Art Ross trophy’s and after he signed his massive contract, look how that worked out with the Oilers. Not good.
Mathews is going into his 3rd year, never came close to a Hart or an Art Ross..he’s also an RFA unlike Tavares.
The whole tax garbage is a fair argument, but I’m sure the sponsorships Auston Mathews can and will get, playing in the biggest hockey market on planet Earth can make up for that plus some.
With all that being said, I think AM will be in the convo for the Hart for many years to come, if he actually played on the top PP and got the ice time while staying healthy, his numbers would be incredible. They WILL be incredible.
Sign him now before any of this happens.
I’m guessing 80mil/8years.

9.5 is less. he'll make a minimum 11mill. esp with the cap going up. players salary's arent based on what the current cap is, its the projected cap. if kucherov wanted to make the same amount of money in toronto that he makes in tampa, he'd sign for at least 12 mill, based on the tax rates.

I agree fully. I even said round Kucherov $$ which is what you are proposing. Also what does Wendel clark make just shaking hands and signing autogrsphs by the leafs? SIX FIGURES. i can believe matthews can 7 figures if he gets a couple of cups and other trophies and thats for life!!!

You can't cherry pick team friendly contracts that a contender is getting its players to sign.

McDavid and Eichel are still Matthews closest comparables.

If Dubas and co. can convince the big 3 to take discounts to contend, I'll be ecstatic, but I still Matthews is in $11m range.

McDavid has won the Hart. I think a better financial comparison is 10m Eichel. Heck Evander Kane and JVR get 7m....I know they were UFAs. 11m sounds about right.

Hey it less like any RFA who hasn't won an MVP and does need to be paid extra to not leave even as an RFA(Eichel). And when tavares took less that was cause of what in your opinion? Anyways don't get mad when the leafs get the triplets signed .5 million give or take that im proposing...k it will happen for the Habs they just need to draft the right players.

I know eichel made 10.5 but lets be honest he only wants the $$. Shanhan its been reported warned the three of them that if they sign Tavares sacrifices in salary would need to happen and they still helped recruting him. so i still think they are all going to take a bit less to be part of sonething great.

11 is not a discount when you look at where he ranks stat wise. Anyways i may have balled the salary a bit but to be honest until he proves me wrong my gut is telling me ot will 9.5-10 he signs for even if it's for 5 years. My gut was telling me Tavares will be a leaf and be round 11, Stamkos would go back to Tampa for round 10 million so i get it will suprise some people if he does give a big discount but i wont be one of them

Your posts are so dripping in wishful thinking they are water logged

There is 0% chance that Shanahan approached those 3 and "warned them" saying sacrifices will be made. Thats how you start contract hold outs. That is not how the NHL works

Your right when posted tavares will sign with the leafs and for round 11 what did you tell me...oh yeah he will sign for 15 million and with another team i believe. Who was closer. Im not being hopeful i read articles and look at what hostorically the majority of RFA get a little less than a UFA.

History is out the window. Top RFAs dont do bridge deals anymore

Actually they have openly mentioned even in the tavares conference the sacrifices will need to be made tavares agreeed and took 2 million less you don't think they will take a small decrease in salary as well? And so 0% chance really?

Yeah they do and 9.5×8 isn't a bridge deal. And tavares just proved that matthews has another 7-8 at a very good salary in him at 29.

openly mention it, ok prove it, show the articles that they are quoted that they have been approached to take less money If they sign Tavares

Yeah 0% chance a smart management type in Shanahan would be demanding his 3 stars to take less money. You do not rock the boat like that.

Never said he demanded he warned that if they signed tavares that sacrifices were needed which is common knowledge. But it's part of what Shanahan has preached the sacrifices that are needed to be part of something great Money, time, a desire to be great. Its not a secret the Redwings openly mentioned the same thing when the cap went in place with the countless future HOF players they had on their roster. So watch the news conference with Shanahan Dubas and tavares when he signed and tell me shanahan didn't tell tavares about the sacrifices of being great. And if he had this talk with UFA he really didn't know personally tell me that the reports of him having these conversations with three players he's known for a few years. So 0% like i said watch the news conference all three at least once mention sacrifices to be great.

So you are taking a grain of salt in hockey talk posturing and making it like it some sort of pact among brothers? Oh yeah we want to make this work and keep us together as long as possible will do w whatever we can to make it work...etc etc. Like I want to resign here I love it here I hope we can make it all work.

Agents, Management, and Players always say that to the media, and it doesnt always mean its true. Its a business. Players who are about to make mega bucks aren't going to be making some pact with their agents and saying lets leave money on the table now bc Tavares signed here.

No they all want to be paid what they are worth. You give them other incentives to try to keep the cap hit down, but that usually comes in bonuses, etc, or if they can get it, NMC or NTC. One way or another players will get what they want bc eventually a team will come along and give it to them. They haven't even played one game together yet, heck even haven't been on the ice all together. No one is making plans like this right now bc you dont even know if the mix of the 4 will work with everyone happy with their production and roles.

Remember when the avs signed Selanne and Kariya to come play with Sakic Forsberg Blake, Roy etc.. Well it didnt work out by adding those guys and they went their ways. Sometimes as good as it looks on paper, you dont get the results

Depends how you look at them. You have to remember that Toronto has a deep team and Babcock likes to slow-play his young stars, if you look at the "/60" metrics I think you'll find Matthews is better than his boxcars show - especially at 5v5 (the great equalizer).

5v5 points/60 (750 minutes minimum)
1. McDavid 3.17
2. McKinnon 2.99
3. Matthews 2.91

5v5 goals/60 (750 minutes)
1. Matthews 1.68
2. Karlsson 1.38
3. Ovechkin 1.37
4. McDavid 1.34
5. Kucherov 1.32

In my opinion McDavid is on a level of his own, but I can't say Matthews isn't worth $11M. Don't forget that McDavid could have demanded - and received - the league maximum salary, and he would be worth every penny.