Sandin might sign an offersheet. But I can't see Yzerman doing it. We're deep in quality LD prospects as BStinson mentioned.

If they can't secure Matthews, they will make sure to secure Nylander, probably Marner as well. I'm sure Tavares gets kept too. With their new found wealth though they can target other stars that become available, perhaps McDavid does when his contract expires.

So while it sucks to lose a star it's not as big of a deal these days in the NHL with all the talent coming into the league. Toronto isn't a small market so they will get someone eventually.

Matthews will be signed very soon after he's eligible. Guys like him never leave, unless it's tavares to the leafs

it's a good idea. wings should target sandin

If he does leave it would be to a big market or somewhere where he can make a lot of money but also compete so not ARZ. Maybe Vegas would be able to land him. "Later Eichel!!!"

No it doesn't happen all the time but it does happen. Leafs apparently offered Knies a contract and maybe the opportunity to burn off a year of ELC last spring. Sure looks like a guy would is exploring being a a college UFA.


Players very, very, very rarely criticize their team or city especially when they have years left on their contract. I'm sure Matthews likes maybe even loves the Leafs etc. But again it my opinion, that eight years of a Leafs will be enough for him, and he is going to explore being a UFA....and especially for a big US market team. As a result I think he will be LA King.

Why is my opinion of Matthews and Knies so wrong and so gut wrenching hurtful for Leaf fans?

You're absolutely right. UFAs come and go all the time.....As you suggest if the Matthews doesn't resign with the Leafs, the Leafs will just spend that cap that had allotted for Matthews on other player(s). It could McDavid....a year later.

Or, like all kids who arnt guaranteed an nhl roster spot he wanted to go back to school. Its literally what happens 99.9999% of the time. If the leafs thought he wasnt going to sign at all they'd have traded him at peak value at the deadline, and theyd know.
And no, the longer a player is in a place the more likely they are to stay, 8 years wont be enough beche built his life in Toronto, again, like 99.999999% of players do. Him leaving in free agency is incredibly unlikely and just because it's your opinion doesnt make it any more likely. He's already in the biggest hockey market, with the biggest endorsements and the biggest money and the biggest fanbase.
Hes not leaving unless hes traded

Umm. I'm always amazed that fans are so gleeful when a UFA signs in their team/their city....they are just ecstatic cause the player picked US. But when one of their own players leaves via UFA, even the thought of it.....well it just can't happen. I don't know if Matthews can get the biggest endorsement money as a Leaf. Being in the big US market like LA and being successful there he could get more.
Has Matthews build this life in Toronto? Well maybe from September to May, just like so many working guy whose jobs are in one place but have the time and money to put down roots in another destination during his "vacation"

There is no place on earth matthews can make more money playing hockey than in Toronto, nowhere even close. And if you're in a place for 8 years, youve built a life there, pretending otherwise is just emotional hedging at best

We still wouldn't trade him for this