Who wouldn't?????

Okay 2 things here.

1) If Matthews was refusing to sign an 8 year deal with TO, because he wanted to go home, the Leafs would try to make a trade since they would rather have NHL players instead of the picks

2) Matthews will never make it to RFA, he'll sign a contract before it comes to this. The Leafs are the up and coming team, Arizona is years behind and offers very little endorsement options.

I could see him taking that money and Toronto not matching cause that can be crippling, which is my concern here. Also, Arizona is already a money tight franchise so I wouldn't do this if I was the gm as the owner would likely pressure for a cup or results and I think the forced speed up of the plan in place could also be bad. I think Matthews might take this money but I don't think it takes the team to where it needs to be. Add to the fact that building through the draft would be way more difficult AND no trade assets it seems like a shortsighted move

It's not Matthews' decision to go to Arizona, it's Toronto's.

Wut? Matthews needs to accept and sign the offer sheet contract. Then Toronto has an opportunity to match. It's still Matthews decision.

I agree that this scenario could happen. It would be decision that Leafs have to make....it's really 3m they really want to pay.
The author's scenario about hometown boy signing the offer sheet, going home to CoyoteLand rings true but I wonder if has an real consequences. Leaf were Arizona December 30. Rink was just 2/3rd full. Most of the fans were Canadians snowbirds. I really wonder if Matthews would make any difference to the finances/attendance of the Coyotes, though as the author suggested, it may be worth a try.