Former Toronto Maple Leafs player thinks Auston Matthews is playing the Leafs perfectly

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Josh tupper
August 17, 2023 (2:03 PM)

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There has been constant talk surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs and star center Auston Matthews. Brad Treliving made it clear, getting Matthews signed was his team's number one priority. Still over a month and half after the beginning of free agency, Matthews remains unsigned.

After the season ended Matthews made it clear he wanted to have the situation sorted out before the beginning of training camp, but now it appears that could be a long-shot for the Leafs. With players set to report in approximately 25 days, the clock is ticking on both Matthews and William Nylander to sign new deals. Today, former Maple Leafs' player Jeff O'Neil shared the following piece of information on his radio show.

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)?

These comments from the 'O-Dog' should increase the anxiety among those in Leafs Nation. Matthews has always shared his love for the Toronto area, but as O'Neill mentions, if you love it so much, why is getting an 8-year deal done so difficult? Matthews' camp reportedly continues to advocate for a deal in the 3-5 year range, something unprecedented for a superstar of his nature.

If Matthews were to walk on the Maple Leafs it would likely be catastrophic of their Stanley Cup hopes, but even more than that it could be a serious distraction this season if he enters the season without a deal. What do you think is most likely to happen with Auston Matthews?

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