The Toronto Maple Leafs made a real statement of intent by signing forward Auston Matthews for a whopping $53 million contract, over four years.
Matthews scored an impressive 85 points last campaign and will be earning a guaranteed $13.25 million per year.
With one year remaining on his five-year one, the Maple Leafs did not hesitate to keep the California-born star at the franchise until the 2027-28 season.
Matthews tweeted on X “I feel fortunate to continue this journey as a Maple Leaf in from of the best fans in hockey! I will do everything I can to help us get to the top of the mountain. GLG.”
The forward scored 40 goals as he helped the Toronto team to 50 wins last season.
He has had an illustrious career so far, with 542 points in 481 NHL games, and has been just as prolific in the playoffs with 22 goals and 22 assists in 50 playoff games.
The 25-year-old has a long time to cash in and is already tied for fifth place with all-time goals for the franchise (with Rick Vaive) and sits 11th in points in Maple Leafs history. He is sure to climb the charts in the next five years.
The Toronto team captain John Tavares said, “It doesn’t get better than that for us here in Toronto and our fan base. I know how much he loves it here,” he said.
Matthews will be looking to emulate his 2021/-22 form, where he scored a franchise record 60 goals. The former winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy was voted as the NHL VIP that season.
