Toronto Maple Leafs center, Auston Matthews, has expressed his desire to stay with the team beyond the next season. The 25-year old player will enter the final season of his five-year contract valued at $58.17 million, after which he becomes an unrestricted free agent. He is eligible to sign a new deal starting July 1 and hopes to finalize it before the start of the 2023-24 season.
During a recent interview, Matthews revealed that he enjoys playing for the Maple Leafs and appreciates everything the team has done for him. He said, “My intention is to be here. I think I’ve reciprocated that before how much I enjoy playing here, what it means to me, the organization, my teammates and how much I just enjoy being here. It’s important, and it will all kind of work itself out in due time, and just kind of go from there”.
Matthews also expressed his willingness to work through his injury, saying that he was dealing with a slight issue that affected his ability to shoot. Even though he remained vague about the nature of the injury, he confirmed that he was pushing himself to help the team win. Despite his injury, Matthews managed to score 11 points in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games, including five goals and six assists.
As for the upcoming season, Matthews is looking forward to helping the team achieve its goals. The four-time 40-goal scorer is motivated to continue working hard and focus on the task at hand. In 2021-22, he won the Hart Trophy voted as the NHL’s most valuable player, the Ted Lindsay Award for the most outstanding player voted by members of the NHL Players’ Association, and the Maurice Richard Trophy for leading the NHL in goals.
While Matthews wants to stay with the Maple Leafs, the team’s general manager Kyle Dubas’ contract is set to expire soon, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the organization. However, Matthews praised Dubas for his leadership and his ability to build a positive team culture. He added that he has a good relationship with Dubas, but he declined to comment on what would happen if the general manager is not retained.
In conclusion, Matthews’ statements show a strong commitment to the Maple Leafs, and he is optimistic about the team’s future. His desire to remain with the organization beyond next season is a great sign for the team and its fans. With a talented player like Matthews on the team, there is no doubt that the Maple Leafs will continue to strive for success in the NHL.
