We’re assuming he wants out for what reason?

Just a leafs fan that’s looking at the worst possible thing

I’m hoping the approach is to offer him a deal that makes him the highest paid player in the league starting in 24-25. I’m hoping for something around 15 million per year x 8 years.

Tkachuk was an RFA, matthews will be a UFA. Wildly different situations.

Do you get the feeling he wants to be there long term? I just don’t. Seems like the 5 year second contract was a red flag. I think the guy wants to be hanging with Bieber in LA, going to UFC fights a short drive away in Vegas, and paling around with pop culture people.

If he turns down a deal to make him the highest paid player in the league then we obviously have to make a tough decision but I’d be ok with a trade then.

He’s going to be the highest paid player in the league no matter where he signs. I don’t think the money is going to be the issue. He’ll get his. I think it will be about where he wants to live and play. My instinct says that isn’t going to be a canadian market.

OK, I'm a Leaf fan who believes Matthews will not resign with the Leafs. I believe LA is his destination.
Maybe the Leafs should trade him for futures, but gotta think the Leafs will keep Matthews and Nylander for a Cup in 2024.

PS on the if the Matthews trade did go through, I wouldn't waste a 1st and 3rd on Strome. Keep the picks, and have lots of cap going into summer of 2024. Leafs could looking at 29m with Brodie, Matthews, Murray and Nylander gone as UFA. Now finding a GM who can spend it wisely.

Some Leafs fans think it so terrible if Matthews leaves. I would prefer that he stays, but if he doesn't like 15m from the Leafs, Leafs management has to find a way to spend that allotted 15m elsewhere. Folks, it really isn't up to the Leafs. It's up to Matthews and where he wants to play and live. I think he wants a big US market.

Because he's a UFA, and has the choice of 32 NHL teams. It's really nothing against he Leafs.

See you are a Keon fan. Do you remember him playing in the 60s or 70s?

There's not a snowballs chance in heck that LA blows up their rebuild like this. They'd either wait until Matthews hit UFA if he really does want to sign in LA, or happily move on in their rebuild without him. That's an absurd price, not to mention the contract he'd require.

Get tired of loosing in the first round!

If he goes the the open market teams like the ducks, sharks and many other teams will make it so the contract is probably over 15m a year. I would guess if LA traded for him and signed him in the off-season they could get him at 13.5 ish that’s a big difference.
LA is working out if they’re rebuild and this trade would mean they are done with it. All they need is a goalie.

I remember his whole career. I’m that old!

There are too many ofus that old. on CF. But I'm with you....I was born in 1954. Have been following hockey since about 1959. Yea I remember all four Leaf Cup wins.

Interesting, I usually assume I’m talking to kids.

I would think the majority are in the 20s and 30s. Yeah, that's kids to us. But as can see by 49.000 posts, I enjoy conversing to the CF family. Almost everyone is honest in their opinions and do provide insight to "their" teams.

I know the main focus on this one is the Matthews trade. But with how Strome has played this year, and considering he's an RFA, the Caps would get a lot more in a trade. That is if they were to move him at all, which is unlikely