On Leafs Lunch this afternoon, NHL insider Craig Button argues that Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews isn't worth $12 million.
His main defense for this argument is that he isn't Connor McDavid. He quoted Jaromir Jagr, saying that the only player in the league anyone would ever expect to score 100 goals is the Oilers' star. Not Matthews. Therefore he isn't worth Connor McDavid money.
This seems like a rather narrow-minded point of view. Sure, Connor McDavid is undoubtedly the best player in hockey today along with Sidney Crosby. However, in his rookie year, Matthews posted a staggering 40 goals. He is a franchise centerman - one of the best in the entire NHL. With Jack Eichel recently signing an 8-year deal at $10 million per year, it isn't unreasonable to expect that Matthews earns a contract in between Eichel's $10 million and McDavid's $12.5 million.
In fact, $12 million could be the perfect sweet spot between the two.
What do you think? Is Auston Matthews worth $12 million?
