Recently Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas confirmed to reporters that he was in contract talks with Auston Matthews and his camp. According to Dubas he'd like to get a deal done before the trade deadline so he knows where he stands when it comes to future salary cap. TSN's Bob McKenzie recently stated that both Matthews and Mitch Marner could target 8year/$100million deals which would put the Leafs tough against the salary cap wall. However Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman believes an eight year deal is extremely unlikely. «We're looking at a five- or six-year contract. That puts the number under Connor McDavid's $12.5 million, but exactly where is what's still to be decided. Dubas's proclamation that they'd like to know before the deadline means February will be an important month in the process.» All eyes will be on Matthews' contract negotiation as Mitch Marner and his agent will base their ask on what Matthews gets.
