Auston Matthews to Arizona???

Written By Guest User
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2024 Speculation

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Per Steve Kournianos, “The Arizona Coyotes have already started paving the road for a run at Auston Matthews in 2024.” And according to Kournianos there is “No stretch that they will be more than willing to offer him (Matthews) the richest contract in NHL history.”

Arizona Considered Offer-Sheeting Matthews

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There has been no shortage of stories & documentation that Auston Matthews grew up an Arizona Coyotes fan, and when Matthews entry level contract ended after the 2018-19 season, Arizona attempted to force Toronto’s hand.

While on the “Spittin Chiclets” Podcast, NHL reporter Elliotte Friedman said the Coyotes were prepared to give Auston Matthews an offersheet. Friedman was quoted saying “The Toronto Maple Leafs 100% believed that if Auston Matthews got to July 1st (in 2019), Arizona was going to offersheet him 7 years…THE MAX.”

However, before the Coyotes could even attempt such an offer…Toronto signed Matthews to a 5 Year/11.634M AAV Contract.

Arizona’s “Rebuilding”

After a WILD offseason that saw Arizona trade the likes of Team Captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Goaltender Darcy Kuemper, Conor Garland & recently Christian Dvorak. The Arizona Coyotes are well equipped with draft capital & freed up cap space for the future, that could soon aid the team in pursuing Auston Matthews & giving him the opportunity to suit up for his childhood team. Arizona’s approach to their offseason was much needed given the state of the Coyotes front office carousel & a roster that featured aging players/players that have regressed. In doing so, Arizona now has only 3 players on their roster that are under contract beyond the next two seasons.

After a WILD offseason that saw Arizona trade the likes of Team Captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Goaltender Darcy Kuemper, Conor Garland & recently Christian Dvorak. The Arizona Coyotes are well equipped with draft capital & freed up cap space for the future, that could soon aid the team in pursuing Auston Matthews & giving him the opportunity to suit up for his childhood team.

Arizona’s approach to their offseason was much needed given the state of the Coyotes front office carousel & a roster that featured aging players/players that have regressed. In doing so, Arizona now has only 3 players on their roster that are under contract beyond the next two seasons.

What a Potential Contract Could Look Like for Matthews

The highest AAV in a contract belongs to Joe Sakic during the 1997-98 season which saw Sakic bring in $16.45M & coincidentally, Matthews’ teammate Mitch Marner made $16M during the 2018-19 season.Auston Matthews is slated to make $11,640,250 from the beginning of the 2021 season to the end of the 2023/24 season, where thereafter he will officially be an Unrestricted Free Agent…that is of course barring another extension prior to his current contract expiring. Crazy to Think Matthews Makes $16M+ in 2024??The short answer: No Matthews is among the leagues best players and is arguably the best at his position/in the entire league. That of course doesnt discredit the likeness of Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, etc. but with his consistent play & scoring, there’s no telling what else Matthews could do in the prime of his career at the age of 23 years old.Matthews has yet to rack in LESS than 30 goals per year since entering the league in 2016 and has yet to total LESS than 60 points per season as well. As mentioned before, Arizona has PLENTY of money to spend in Free Agency within the upcoming years & with Toronto’s continued playoff struggles, Who’s to say Matthews doesn’t fulfill his prophecy and or legacy by joining Arizona in 2024 & giving a market that is considered “DEAD” a much needed shot in the arm.

The highest AAV in a contract belongs to Joe Sakic during the 1997-98 season which saw Sakic bring in $16.45M & coincidentally, Matthews’ teammate Mitch Marner made $16M during the 2018-19 season.

Auston Matthews is slated to make $11,640,250 from the beginning of the 2021 season to the end of the 2023/24 season, where thereafter he will officially be an Unrestricted Free Agent…that is of course barring another extension prior to his current contract expiring.

Crazy to Think Matthews Makes $16M+ in 2024??

The short answer: No

Matthews is among the leagues best players and is arguably the best at his position/in the entire league. That of course doesnt discredit the likeness of Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, etc. but with his consistent play & scoring, there’s no telling what else Matthews could do in the prime of his career at the age of 23 years old.

Matthews has yet to rack in LESS than 30 goals per year since entering the league in 2016 and has yet to total LESS than 60 points per season as well.

As mentioned before, Arizona has PLENTY of money to spend in Free Agency within the upcoming years & with Toronto’s continued playoff struggles, Who’s to say Matthews doesn’t fulfill his prophecy and or legacy by joining Arizona in 2024 & giving a market that is considered “DEAD” a much needed shot in the arm.

Reference Page

  • Steve Kournianos via Twitter

  • SBNation “FiveForHowling”

  • ESPN

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