Two NHL insiders provide details on just how much Matthews will cost the Leafs.

Big bucks for Matthews.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 5 years ago
Two NHL insiders provide details on just how much Matthews will cost the Leafs.
Mike Wulf/CSM/Zuma

Although the Toronto Maple Leafs have plenty of things to worry about in season right now, one of the biggest talking points in their market is the future of superstar center Auston Matthews.

The talented young forward is set to be a restricted free agent at the end of the 2018 - 2019 National Hockey League regular season and after the William Nylander fiasco in 2018 the Maple Leafs and general manager Kyle Dubas would undoubtedly prefer to get things done sooner rather than later. The good news for fans of the Maple Leafs is that Matthews' representation is expected to be on hand in Toronto this week and it would appear that the purpose of their visit is to hammer out the finer details of a new contract for the Leafs' star.

On Saturday a pair of NHL insiders were able to share some idea of just how much Matthews will cost the Leafs and the numbers are fairly high especially given what has been rumored about the term of his next deal. According to all recent reports there is a feeling that Matthews will only sign for 5 or 6 years on his next deal in an effort on the part of the Toronto Maple Leafs to keep his average annual value at a manageable number. What exactly is a manageable number? Well Sportsnet's NHL insiders Elliotte Friedman and Chris Johnston each shared their opinions.

"The number isn't gonna be $12.5 million, Connor McDavid's total, but Chris I don't think it's going to be too far away as both sides make an earnest attempt to get something done," said Friedman on Saturday.

Johnston had a similar opinion to his colleague, and he also made it sound like the Leafs are going to have to break the bank to get Matthews under contract.

"I think you're looking on a 5 year deal somewhere in the neighborhood of $11 million, perhaps a little bit more than that. If they go to a six year option I think that number creeps closer to $12 million give or take," said Johnston.

That is massive money when you consider that you would only be buying 1 or 2 years of unrestricted free agency away from Matthews on such a deal, but the Leafs are likely going to do whatever it takes to get him signed.

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