Toronto Maple Leafs Re-Sign Matthews For His Prime Years

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced the re-signing of superstar Auston Matthews on Wednesday.

The new deal begins next season with a $13.25 million cap hit. New Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving can officially cross off priority number one from his to-do list.

The Leafs handed Brad Treliving an extensive to-do list when they hired him as the new GM.

At the top of his to-do list were re-signing Matthews and William Nylander.

Here is a breakdown of the new four-year deal Matthews signed. You’ll notice that $49.65 million (93.68%) of the $53 million total will be signing bonuses. The new contract also includes a no-movement clause. (Salary cap info from puckpedia)
Year 1: $775,000 base salary, $15.925 million signing bonus.
Year 2: $775,000 base salary, $14.425 million signing bonus.
Year 3: $900,000 base salary, $10.18 million signing bonus.
Year 4: $900,000 base salary, $9.12 million signing bonus.
The NHL’s current minimum salary is $775,000 until 2026, when the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expires. If the new minimum ends up being higher than $900,000 in the next CBA, Matthews will get the additional amount, too.

Although some don’t like the new deal being for only four years, it is a good deal for Matthews and the Leafs. It allows Matthews to maximize his value and allows him to sign one more lucrative deal down the road. For the Leafs, they get to keep Matthews playing in Toronto during his prime years. It’s a win/win scenario for both.

Toronto Maple Leafs Record Will be Broken

Matthews being with the Leafs for the next five years means records are about to be broken.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin holds the franchise record for most goals with 420. Matthews is currently sitting in 5th place with 299 goals.

He now has five years to score 122 goals to break the record. With Matthews scoring an average of 40 goals a season, he will be looking to shatter Sundin’s record. I think Matthews will join the NHL’s 500-goal club while playing for the Leafs.

Sundin’s goals record is not the only one in jeopardy. If Matthews stays healthy and records 80-90 points a season over the next five seasons, he has a real shot of passing Mats Sundin’s points record of 987 points.

Teammate Mitch Marner will also have a shot at breaking the record if he signs long-term next summer.