When Auston Matthews finally put pen to paper on a new 4-year contract extension that will see him remain in Toronto through the 2027-28 season, Leafs Nation was able to breathe a collective sigh of relief knowing that their franchise cornerstone wasn't going anywhere.
Matthews left some money on the table in order, settling for a $13.25M AAV, while some reports had him firmly positioned to be able to ask for as much as $15M per season on his new deal. More recent reports from some of the league's top insiders even suggested that Matthews' AAV was likely going to be closer to the $14M mark, so $13.25M should certainly be viewed as a win for the Leafs.
Matthews is coming into the 2023-24 season 100% healthy and will not have to endure a late start or any rehab due to the offseason surgery that he had endured last summer with his wrist. I like his chances of returning to form and chasing that elusive 60-goal plateau once again, as well as eclipsing 100 points for the 2nd time in his career. More than anything else, though, I'm just happy to know that Matthews genuinely does love being in Toronto and embraces what it is to be a Maple Leaf.
