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Why Auston Matthews Will Re-Sign With the Toronto Maple Leafs

By Jeff Borsuk |
Jan 3, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) shoots the puck against the St. Louis Blues in the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) shoots the puck against the St. Louis Blues in the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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The Toronto Maple Leafs best player, Auston Matthews, has just one more season left on his contract.

That should make the Toronto Maple Leafs organization and its fans very uncomfortable.

Luckily, Matthews isn’t going anywhere.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to work hard to make sure their prized player remains in Toronto. In fact, the franchise will do everything they can to not just lock him down but do so for the maximum length of eight years.

There are many reasons why Matthews will continue his hockey career in Toronto and re-sign with the Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs: Unfinished Business

Matthews has been with the Toronto Maple Leafs since he was the first overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. In seven years, Matthews has been battling alongside his peers to try and capture hockey’s biggest prize.

Despite his and the team’s regular season success, so far, he has come up short.

This just means that Matthews has unfinished business. The competitor he is, he will certainly want to come back and prove his doubters wrong.

The best way to do that isn’t just to win, but to do it for the franchise many have called cursed. Signing an extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs could help him achieve that goal as he works with his teammates and management to build a championship-winning roster around him.

Oct 22, 2022; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) looks on in the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2022; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) looks on in the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports /

Building a Legacy

Matthews has already seen that with his skill set he can do things that no one has before him.

Doing this with a club as storied as the Maple Leafs not just makes him special but it builds a legacy. Matthews has not only broken an impressive long standing record with the Buds, but he stands to break some more.

Build a legacy is easier to do when remaining with just one team. Matthews may be putting great stock into leaving his mark on the team’s and league history.

Staying with Friends

There has been many instances that have played out in public that have shown Matthews has made real connections with his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates.

Matthews appears to be a part of an entourage where he and his Leafs buddies have a great time together.

It’s natural to want to spend time with friends. Matthews has established a level of comfort with the group of athletes that meet and travel with him to the rinks.

Without wanting to find new companions in a new and foreign setting, it’s both easier and more comforting to remain with his friends in the Big Smoke.

Related Story. Another Perspective: Why Matthews Will Possibly Leave. light

The City of Toronto

Let’s face it, Toronto is one of the best cities in the world. From the vibrant nightlife to incredible cuisine, there is something for everyone.

Matthews is known as a fashionista. He was even hemming his own jeans for a time.

With the large variety of stores and availability of haute couture in Toronto, Matthews will really need to consider if he wants to be too far away from such an incredible place.

While some may argue that he’s from Scottsdale, Arizona (born in San Ramon, California) and that’s where he’ll want to be, Toronto has become his home.

Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and his beautiful mustache (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and his beautiful mustache (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Matthew Knies

Leafs rookie Matthew Knies has already shared that he looks up Matthews. Both men are from Arizona playing in a different country.

Being a mentor to the budding star may be a responsibility Matthews takes seriously.

Looking after Knies on its own won’t be enough to keep Matthews but it may just be one more thought that creeps to mind while the superstar is evaluating his options.

Fear of the Unknown

There will be a lot of people around Matthews whispering in his ear.

With so many wanting a piece of what he has to offer, it will be difficult knowing who to trust. Venturing away from the only NHL club Matthews has been with, could invoke some anxiety or fear.

To cope, he may just choose to stay put.

Sway with Management

Matthews knows that during negotiations he holds all the cards. Every team in the league will want his services, and for good reason. He’s a game changer. This helps him gain a larger voice in the organization and its direction.

As part of the negotiation process, Matthews could make structural organizational demands. That could be anything from changes to coaching personnel to executives to which players to target for acquisition. That kind of juice may be exactly what Matthews is after.

Next. Players Leafs May Draft in 2023. dark

Take a breath and relax Leafs fans. You’ll get to enjoy the magic on ice that Matthews brings every night.

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