Half a decade ago, the Toronto Maple Leafs inked a deal with Auston Matthews, granting him the rare opportunity to become an unrestricted free agent at a relatively young age.
With just a few months left on his current $58.2 million contract, Matthews' future with the team is uncertain, as the Leafs will no longer hold any bargaining power come July 1st, 2024, potentially putting his status with the team in jeopardy.
Andy Strickland and Cam Janssen recently discussed the matter and reached a consensus:
"I think they have no choice but to move him if they don't sign him this summer, are you going to lose him for nothing?"
Matthews, who hails from Arizona, has previously expressed interest in continuing his hockey career in his home state, adding an additional layer of speculation to his future with the Leafs.
Should the Leafs opt to trade Matthews, it could be a monumental move, potentially rivaling the blockbuster trade that saw Eric Lindros join the Nordiques years ago.
Given that Matthews was the first overall pick in the 2016 draft, it's difficult to fathom the Leafs being willing to part ways with their prized talent.
| POLL | ||
8 MARS | 2221 ANSWERS Insider's Chilling Prediction about Auston Matthews Sparks Fear in Leafs Fans Will Matthews stay with the Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 1028 | 46.3 % |
| No | 1193 | 53.7 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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