Report: Matthews contract to be finalized… more imminently

After an insane amount of discussion and debate, one of the Leafs’ two remaining “contract problems” may finally be done.

According to Bob McKenzie, it’s not a long shot to say that Matthews’ much talked about extension could be finalized by the end of the week.

There’s been a lot of talk over the last couple weeks about what a Matthews’ extension may look like, with even Bob McKenzie saying that it’s more likely that Matthews signs for 5-6 years instead of 8.

A lot of the thought process to this is that Dubas’ is doing it to bring down Matthews’ cap hit to $11-12 million. Not *from* $11-12 million. *To* $11-12 million.

Now, keep in mind that even a couple weeks before he finally re-signed, lots had speculated that Nylander would only sign a bridge deal and likely get traded, only to then sign a six year deal on Dec. 1, or that apparently not a single insider knew that Dubas’ was having trade talks with Los Angeles beyond “He’s interested in Jake Muzzin”, and then the Leafs made this trade, so the reporters haven’t exactly been good at telling us what the Leafs are planning.

But, if what’s being reported is true, this wouldn’t be the ideal situation for a Matthews deal. If you’re signing him in the $11-12 million range, it should be for 8 years, no less. If it’s fewer than 8 years, then the Leafs better be getting his cap hit at least under $10 million.

But, we’ll have to see what happens when ever this contract is finally signed, and then after that, the Leafs only have to deal with Mitch Marner.