LA isn't moving Byfield for a guy 1 year from UFA

Too much for too much risk of Matthews not reupping. He’s going to test the free agency if he’s moved.

I understand it from the Leafs side. Get some good assets for Matthews before he walks away for nothing.

But what's in it for LA? Why wouldn't they just wait until July 1, 2024 and sign Matthews as a UFA and keep those assets?

I keep seeing these similar LA/TOR trades. What am I missing here?

LA fans why would your team make this trade? It just doesn't make any sense to me.

I think Matthews would work out an extension, Tkachuk style deal, this summer if he won't re-sign and the Leafs give him some choice in the deal - he gives them 2-4 teams he'd extend with and they bid it out from there. If not of course the price may come down. Even as a rental though I think some teams going all in would give a crazy haul. But yes, if he won't entertain sign and trades things change a bit.

Difference is Tkachuk was a pending RFA. Matthews is a pending UFA. Tkachuk told the Flames he wasn't signing back with them which forced Treliving to trade him for the best package he could get. Unfortunately, this trade plus losing Gaudreau for nothing essentially cost him his job.

Matthews hasn't told the Leafs he won't re-sign with them. So as long as they think he's willing to re-sign with them, why would they trade him?

I think the Kings would rather take their chances having a shot at Matthews without losing Byfield. If the Leafs can find a playoff team who has $15M available next season more power to them.

We wouldn't. Chalk all this crap the past 12 hours up to Leafs Fandom imploding after another disappointing playoffs.

If there was legitimate interest in Matthews we'd do exactly what you say. Wait until he's UFA and get him then. No assets other than cap space spent and Matthews-Byfield-Kopitar-Danault down the middle.

I almost didn't come on to CF today because I knew this junk is all I would see.

Until Matthews signs an extension with Toronto we can expect to see these types of trades on CFACGM. Maybe not as many as today mind you.

except if Toronto made him available for sign and trade today I think there would be enough teams in the mix to make it extremely competitive.

I could see a significant number of: LA, Arizona, Vegas, Carolina, NYI, NYR, Minnesota, if the Leafs would deal in the division a few others, all making pitches. Plus probably another 1-2 dark horse teams.

lol let us have our moment of anger nothing but disappointment for too many years

Matthews likely only has a few teams he'd be willing to sign long term with. Sure, who wouldn't want a talent like AM on their team? But what are you going to trade for 1 season of him? You'd be robbing Peter to pay Paul. Would a team be better or worse?

Which teams can take his current 11 mil AAV? Or perhaps his future 15 mil AAV?

answer to current is we'd retain 50% on any deal to maximize # of suitors. I dont think he'll get 15M personally, it'll be +/- 0.5M of 14M if I had to guess, but on the high end i'm nitpicking i suppose. Teams would make space for him - yes not every team legitimately can, but many would.

I'm hoping for a Tkachuk style approach - figure out all possible suitors, have Matthews pick ~3 of those suitors that he'd extend with today, and bidding war between those teams to get Matthews.