Zero incentive for Edmonton here. Giving up the much better prospect and downgrading a draft pick at the same time

Dude has 15 goals and 23 points in 14 games this season so far and you think for one minute he's not going to be the highest paid player in the league next year.
13 million possibly +

Comments like this make me chuckle. Anyone on here who thinks for one minute they know what Matthews priorities will be and wants to spew off opinion as 'fact' can get off their soap box.

Could Matthews demand and ultimately get $13m a year? Yes.

Could Matthews accept being the 2nd highest player in the league (anywhere between $11m - $12.5m) so that he can be surrounded with talent and complete for cups....something the #1 guy doesn't have...? Yes.

Just waiting for those ridiculous articles next year about how Matthews took a team friendly deal and left money on the table when he gets his 13 million per year.....
You know, bs like this.
https://thehockeynews.com/news/article/mcdavid-like-others-before-him-leaves-money-on-the-table-for-oilers-in-pursuit-of-cup

What's BS about it? Oilers were ready to give McDavid more and he asked for a bit less. Maybe you think it's BS because leaving $750k/yr and 'settling' for $12.5 is still a stupid amount of money?

I don't think anyone can argue that McDavid could have gotten more if he wanted it. I think the same will be the case with Matthews. Maybe you don't like it, but doesn't make is BS

If I am leafs, I would sign Matthews and Marner to 4 or 5 year deal with lower cap hit. I know it will take them to UFA but at least they can try to keep their players in the same team for few more years.

I think that's exactly why you see either 2-3 year bridge deals or 6+ extensions. 4 years is asking for trouble if a pair of 25year olds at the top of the scoring chart are walking into UFA

the best thing they can do is sign them to 8 year deals. They will come out at 30, and on the downward trend of their careers. You will have 8 years for the cap hit to level out and at the peek of their playing they will have cap space for help. Yes the first few years are hard, but the cap goes up and the pain goes down. You also get to bring in cheaper young talent through the draft and build around them. It's a blue print that is shown to work.