The Toronto Maple are in the midst of a hectic offseason.
Earlier in the summer, new general manager Kyle Dubas triumphed over his competitors in his pursuit of superstar centre John Tavares, signing him to a seven-year contract to the tune of $77 million. With one franchise player out of the way, Dubas and company have turned their attention to their 2016 first overall pick; Auston Matthews. After completing his second season, Matthews is now eligible to sign an extension, however he doesn’t seem too concerned about whether he signs it this summer or the next. The 20-year-old spoke to the media following the Stars and Stripes Showdown charity game in Plymouth, Missouri, and insisted he’s leaving the business side of things to his agent and management staff.
Aside from Matthews, there are a couple of other Leafs also due for a raise. Toronto’s loveable Mitch Marner is set to become an RFA in 2019 and his buddy William Nylander, who has partnered with Matthews on the Leafs’ top line over the past two seasons, has already become one. With the season less than two months away, you’ve gotta think Leaf fans are starting to feel a bit concerned about their young core staying in tact.
With Nylander unsigned, the Leafs still sit comfortably heading into the regular season with more than $13 million in cap space. Things will get interesting, though, when Matthews in all likelihood becomes one of the league’s highest paid players.
Whether it’s in the coming weeks, or in a year’s time.
(H/T Mark Masters)
