Auston Matthews causing issues for multiple teams as he holds up the entire free agent market

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Josh Tupper
August 12, 2023 (7:47 PM)

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Everyone is waiting for Auston Matthews to sign a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. It has been a hot topic of discussion throughout the off-season. Matthews is projected to make somewhere between 13 and 14 million per season on his next contract. It seems like other players around the league are patiently waiting for Matthews to put pen to paper to establish a baseline for their deals as well.

Elias Pettersson is another player in need of a new contract after next season and according to Harman Dayal of The Athletic, Pettersson is waiting for Matthews to set the market for superstars before he even begins to negotiate his next deal.

Pettersson is entering the final year of a 3 year bridge deal he signed before the 2021 season and he is hoping that Matthews will drive up the market price for players like him.

Pettersson, 24, played 80 games last year for the Canucks scoring 39 goals and 63 assists for a total of 102 points last season. While Matthews is definitely going to set the market, it could have a dangerous ripple effect around the league.

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POLL
AOUT 12 \| 100 ANSWERS Auston Matthews causing issues for multiple teams as he holds up the entire free agent market Do you think any player should make 13-14 million?
Yes	20	20 %
No	60	60 %
If they're worth it	20	20 %
List of polls

Auston Matthews causing issues for multiple teams as he holds up the entire free agent market

Do you think any player should make 13-14 million?