Former player believes that Auston Matthews could be playing the Maple Leafs

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Josh Tupper
August 17, 2023 (2:34 PM)

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Rumors have swirled the Toronto Maple Leafs and star center Auston Matthews were working hard on a new contract. When he was hired Brad Treliving made it clear, getting Matthews extended was his team's top priority. It's been over a month and half since the beginning of free agency, but yet Matthews remains unsigned.

After last season ended, Matthews made it clear, he hoped to remain a Leaf and to have the situation sorted out before the start of training camp, but now it looks like that could be a long-shot for the Leafs. With players set to report in approximately 4 weeks, the clock is ticking on both Matthews and William Nylander to sign new contracts.

On the radio today, former Maple Leafs' player Jeff O'Neil shared the following piece of information:

He's showing good faith by saying 'this is where I wanna be, I wanna stay here, I wanna sign here,' and now he can just say the contract never worked out and do the ole John Tavares. If you start training camp with no contract, that basically means you're leaving. I think just like Tavares when he didn't sign at the beginning of the season and he kept saying 'this is business' and 'it's for my agent to work out,' that's code for saying I'm not coming back. That's what I took from the Tavares situation. All these other guys (Sebastian) Aho, 8-years, 8-years, 'I'm happy to be here' and then all of a sudden from the Matthews camp, gotta get creative cause there's another deal... I would find it frustrating how everyone is signing 8-years. 'I like it here', but if you like it, how come you wont do it (sign for 8 years)?

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If Matthews doesn't sign an extension with the Leafs, the entire hockey world we'll get to watch the most talented player in franchise history walk at the earliest possible point during his career. Making that contract signed by Kyle Dubas seem even worse than it already does.

Previously on HockeyUnplugged

Jonathan Toews announces he'll miss all of next season and addresses rumors of retirement

Rival KHL team donates tournament winnings to the family of a 21-year-old player who died earlier this week

New Jersey Devils reportedly pursuing superstar defenseman

POLL
AOUT 17 \| 248 ANSWERS Former player believes that Auston Matthews could be playing the Maple Leafs What is the most likely outcome for Auston Matthews?
He signs before the season	88	35.5 %
He signs during the season	48	19.4 %
He leaves as a free agent	112	45.2 %
List of polls

Former player believes that Auston Matthews could be playing the Maple Leafs

What is the most likely outcome for Auston Matthews?