Quoting: Rusty_Shackelford
Why's it his fault Toronto managed it poorly? Why should he take significantly less than Matthews who sure he plays center...but he doesn't kill penalties. Neither does Tavares. Yet he outscored both averaging 1:21 of PK time to Tavares' 12 seconds per game and Matthews' 2 seconds per game. Why should he give the leafs a deal? The Leafs already dicked him around once sending him back to London. Not even giving him any games because it's easier to defend that decision than sending him back after he's productive.
Career year for Marner? Yeah. Absolutely. But the Leafs signed his comp to a deal before they needed to, probably for more than they should have for not long enough. Why play hardball with Mitch and not Matthews?
Paul, how nice of you to join us.
Your son got sent back to London because the Leafs were rebuilding and tanking to do it. It was better for his development.
And they got Matthews. Who outscored him year one, missed time but outscored him on a per game basis year two, and yes Mitch had a great year alongside Tavares last year. The same Tavares that finished second in the league in scoring...on the islanders. Sure this was before the rules changed, and the game changed, and scoring is way, way up. Check out nhl.com and look back to the 10/11 season and see how many players put up a point per game prior to the last two years.
Here is the thing. Mitch isn't comparable to Matthews at all. Or Tavares. Tavares is hands down the best player of the three and it's not even close.
Matthews is overpaid. He scored, has great hands, but hasn't put it together yet. #1 centres are extremely hard to find and we have two. Remember Sundin? That was quite some time ago. Dubas overpaid because of the opportunity presented with that level of player down the middle.
Mitch is the third best forward on the team. In his first two years he scored 8 more points than Nylander. There is your comparable. A skilled, puck carrying winger that makes plays.
Mitch is more noticeable as is Nylander because they carry the puck and distribute it and those plays are memorable. Matthews and Tavares can have 3 and 4 point nights and you hardly notice them but you win games with them.
You're grasping at straws with your shtoi argument. Take the 80M like anyone else being offered it. Be grateful. This weak victim bull**** is disgusting.