Jul 21, 2016
Matthews: There was no timetable on a deal getting done
Despite what appeared to be a lengthy delay, TSN's Kristen Shilton explains that there was never a doubt in Auston Matthew's mind that a deal would get done.
It took nearly four weeks for the Toronto Maple Leafs to get the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft inked to an entry-level contract.
But GM Lou Lamoriello said on Thursday when the team announced the signing of Auston Matthews to a three-year pact that includes the maximum allowed bonuses, the deal actually took virtually no time at all.
“The agreement took place within 10 minutes of the first conversation (Matthews’ agent) Pat Brisson and I had when we talked about Auston's contract,” Lamoriello said. “This was never an issue at any point. Auston was No. 1 overall. The agreement that he has with the Toronto Maple Leafs and his contract - he's earned this. He deserves what he's getting.”
Virtually since the day Matthews was drafted, dialogue has swirled around whether Lamoriello’s past dealings as GM of the New Jersey Devils in regards to entry-level contracts, particularly the performance bonus structure, would affect Matthews’ deal. Lamoriello famously signed 2011 No. 4 overall pick Adam Larsson to an entry-level deal with no performance bonuses.
Since the 2004-05 NHL lockout and subsequent Collective Bargaining Agreement, stating an entry-level contract can include as much as $2.85 million in performance bonuses in addition to a top salary of $925,000 (plus 10% signing bonus), every No. 1 overall selection has gotten a maximum deal. Matthews was never in jeopardy of not following suit.
“I guess the first question is: what was the rush? We knew what was going to transpire,” Lamoriello said. “We had a development camp to go through, we had other players that we had to sign, had arbitration situations. This was never in question; it was just when. A lot of assumptions were made and I think this is a good time to bring this forward - when Mike (Babcock), Brendan (Shanahan) and I got together we said we would not be operating the New Jersey way or the Detroit way. We'd be doing it the Toronto way. Entry-level bonuses have been given in Toronto in the past. As far as Auston getting the maximum the CBA allows, he's earned that. That's the philosophy on contracts; what they deserve is what they should get.”
For his part, Matthews says he has nothing earmarked to spend his newly-earned money on. Rather he’s just enjoying this moment of becoming an official Maple Leaf.
“I was never concerned about [the contract],” he said. “We didn't put a timetable on anything. It was going to get done. I let my agents and Leafs management handle it and I was never worried about it. [But] it’s a pretty special feeling.”
Matthews is currently in his home state of Arizona and has been skating a couple of times a week, before he returns to Toronto to work with the Leafs’ skill development coach Darryl Belfry and his staff. He’ll stay up North starting in early September to play for Team North America in the World Cup of Hockey before attending part of Leafs training camp in October.
Whether he’ll be wearing his coveted No. 34 jersey when that rolls around remains to be seen.
“I haven’t really thought too far ahead,” Matthews said. “My main goal is to go to camp and earn a spot on the team, earn that right. Get better every day, learn as much as you can, try to improve, and learn from people who have been there in your situation before.”