Quoting: oliver_wahlstrom
I know Leafs fans dont wanna hear this, but it seems very unlikely that Matthews returns once his deal ends. He signed that term for a reason and unless Toronto can make a legit run (like ECF or SCF), he will have no reason to stay besides that 8th year. Toronto media is about as brutal as it gets and with how bright Arizona is looking, he will have tons of options for teams with cap space looking to contend. Just my opinion, we still have a while to wait and see tho
Here's why he signed that:
1) yes, he wanted to keep his options open. Success is probably a factor, but its also largely about how happy he is here and etc. He does love playing here, living here, and he is very close with this locker room. They grew up together here in TOR, and there is something to be said for that. He's said multiple times about how they have the pieces and that its on them to win together as a core. Has also mentioned Washington if I remember correctly in terms of being patient and trusting the process together. Hopefully we win a round or two at least this year and help in that department.
2) largely to maximize the money he makes. He signed 5 years so that when the cap goes up, if he decides he wants to milk it for everything he can get, he has that option. Maybe now that he sees how the cap situation has affected their success it changes his mindset, and maybe he signs another short term deal at way bigger money than I have here to maximize earnings again, I don't know. But it has been consistently reported that this was a massive factor for the term.
Biased of course but I'd give it a 70% chance he stays, 30% chance he goes.
side note if he leaves I would be dead shocked if its Arizona. Poverty franchise playing in a college hockey rink vs biggest hockey market in the world that sells out every night isn't really a contest no matter where you're from. Maybe NYR or LA if they can swing the cap for it, outside of that though I can't see him going anywhere.