Toronto Maple Leafs’ Debatable Trade and Signings 2018-2019 Season

As sports fans we are all very interested in who the next the super star will be and how much he will be paid for his talents. In 2016 the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted: Auston Mathews and Mitch Marner who are both exceptional hockey players. When they signed their first entry level contracts there wasn’t too much discussion or disagreement, but as their entry level deals came to an end it was time to create new contracts for both players.

As a die hard Leafs fan and growing up playing with the same coach who mentored and also coached Mitch Marner in his minor midget season, I am very happy with the deal that they signed Marner at, $5,325,000 for 3 years. Since he is still very young and new to the NHL it gives him some freedom and a good relationship with the GM’s and coaching staff. I think this was a smart idea to stay at only 3 years because you have Babcock at 8 years for $50 million (but he is coming towards the end of the contract), you have Tavares at seven years for $77 million, and just recently signed Mathews for 5 year extension and he's being paid $58 million. So I do think that the contract is smart. Therefor overall I am pleased with it.

Next, I like how they signed Mathews for 5 years and 58 million. He is also very young but is putting up a lot of points. He is the first NHL rookie to score 4 goals in his NHL debut.

Mathews also said he “loves the fans and the city! It is truly a great place to play hockey”. I think this contracts fits nice with Tavares too since Tavares has stated that he has been a Leaf fan growing up in Oakville and watching the games on TV with his dad. He also stated “it’s a dream come true”. These are both NHL all stars and their contracts wrap up around the same time. I am very pleased with both of these contracts and players as well.

At the start of the season, player William Nylander sparked a whole lot of dispute about his contract. He would not sign and remained a free agent for multiple weeks until they offered him way more money then he was worth. He is paid 10.2 million for the first year on contract and then from years 2-6 he is being paid 6.9 million a year. This is stupid! He is not worth that much money. Simply he is not skilled enough to be paid that much.

Finally, as a Leafs fan I want to see the boys bring home the cup. I want to see the parade and the party in downtown Toronto that brings all Leafs fans together. With the contracts they have over these next few years, hopefully this year they will be able to bring home the big old legendary Stanley Cup. Overall I am pleased with everything except Nylander but hopefully everything turns out well for us Leaf fans.

Written by Jonny Yourkin