One season of Auston Matthews, at the cost of three essential elements of our future . . . no, thanks; we have the patience to wait until 2024. Imagine how good our squad will be after two Stanley Cup campaigns, in which Brandt Clarke will have played at least one, and the only significant players who'll be expiring are Viktor Arvidsson and Matt Roy (highly likely, along with Anze, to re-up if we sign AM).

As good as Matthews is, I don't think they are the right buyer. Even with 50% retention. Maybe an Eastern team like NYR or Pitt might be more aggressive for a player like Matthews.

I really don't think the Leafs trade him within the conference

Hey, if you don't want one of the best pure goal scorers on the planet at just over $5 million and exclusive negotiating rights for his future, I'm sure just about any other team will give up a similar or better package. You're right, retaining Arvidsson and Roy is probably more important

So THAT's the conclusion you drew from my comment?!? Pretty impressive, although not in the way that you probably hoped . . . you missed my main point entirely, and misconstrued my second point out of all recognition.

By the way, as to the value of "exclusive negotiating rights," Matthews and his agent(s) know that any offer Los Angeles would make in 2023-2024 would be exceeded by the offer extended in the summer of 2024.

is this a joke?

Not close to enough for Matthews especially with that kind of salary retention.

I think Toronto fans are going to be disappointed with the return they eventually get for Matthews if this is what they're expecting.

I think so too.

Trading a player like Mathews is very hard to do due to the fact his trade value is almost impossible to meet. So if a trade ever were to happen I’d expect something close to this but then will kinda fall short. Only so many teams can meet the trade demand.

Anyways. Both Clarke and Byfield won’t be in a trade together it’s one or the other imo with other top prospects/picks. But LA won’t trade for Mathews. They’d try and sign him instead which is a strong possibility. If TOR ends up resigning him great.

If Mathews is good; then why are you trading him? You really want all of the Kings best assets at a somewhat cheap price of one year of Mathews.

The only way the Leafs entertain trading Matthews is if he refuses to sign an extension. If that's the case, they will trade him at the draft this year before his NTC kicks in. Trading him is not a want, its a need rather than lose him for nothing

I disagree. If the Leafs are willing to retain salary, which they would be I'm sure if they were getting cheaper cost controlled NHL ready (or close to it) talent in return. At that point, Matthews is an all world talent at just over 5 million, potentially even less if a 3rd team is in the mix. Plus, the exclusive negotiating rights for the full season. A team like LA would be smart to make a deal like this. The location is close to home for him so the chance of re-signing is high, and for at least one season/playoff they could ice Matthews/Kopitar/Danault down the middle

Byfield and Clarke will not be traded together. I can see Byfield the other way but I doubt it ever happens.

LA can just sign him for free without a trade if he hits UFA