The Cale Makar extension in Colorado might seem like an isolated incident. But when looking at how it weaves into the overall fabric of the universe, the record-setting deal could leave the Toronto Maple Leafs in a pickle.
Makar became the NHL’s highest-paid player in history, landing one of the last eight-year deals at $163.2 million. That’s a $20.4 million average annual value (AAV).
Hence, that explains the Leafs’ potential pickle.
When Auston Matthews signed his current contract, he became the NHL’s highest-paid player. That was before Leon Draisaitl topped Matthews a few months later.
So now, the Maple Leafs are looking at a bit of a complex situation, to say the least. They have a potential Matthews extension coming up, and with Cale Makar getting $20 million a season, what does that mean for the Maple Leafs?
Well, that really depends on how you value Matthews.
Matthews is nowhere near Cale Makar money right now
If the Maple Leafs and Matthews signed a contract extension today, which they can’t even if they wanted to, Matthews is nowhere near Makar-type money.
Matthews is coming off his worst statistical season and doesn’t necessarily have enough leverage to demand $20 million.
But that’s just the issue. Matthews won’t be eligible for an extension until July 1, 2027, and if he returns to his 60-goal form, that could lead to a massive issue.
We’ll get back to that in a second.
What happens if Matthews, regardless of what happens this season, views himself as a $20 million player? Do the Leafs just pay to keep him? Does it even make sense to get anywhere near that number?
If we looked at things as they stand, Matthews would likely get his payday elsewhere.
Maple Leafs have one year to brace themselves for next Matthews contract
So, let’s assume for a minute that Matthews has a renaissance in 2026-27. He gets back to the 50-goal mark and gets close to, or even surpasses, 100 points.
Such a situation would allow the world to proclaim that the Craig Berube dark age was just a blip on the radar screen.
At that point, there is no way the Leafs can deny Matthews $20 million a season. While he would still have one more season on his current deal, another great season would only drive up the price.
Perhaps the worst thing that could happen is Matthews crashing and burning this season. That would make this entire conversation much more complicated. Instead of just saying “pay the man,” the Maple Leafs would be stuck trying to figure out if even re-signing Matthews is worth the risk.
Irrespective of how everything turns out, the Maple Leafs are in a pickle. And there really is no other choice but to play the entire season out and hope that everything falls into the right place.
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