Matthews reportedly looking for $13.5 million a year on new contract

It's been a couple weeks since we've heard any updates in the ongoing contract extension negotiations between the Toronto Maple Leafs and superstar Auston Matthews. Today though, on his Sportsnet FAN590 radio show, NHL insider Nick Kypreos reported that Matthews could be seeking as much as $13.5 million per season on a new deal.

Check it out:

JD Bunkis: “When does the next domino happen here?"

Kypreos: “Well it’s when Matthews and his agent Judd decide and I don’t know whether we’re in a blinking contest or not between Nylander or Matthews or who needs to go first. But, if I’m Auston Matthews I’m not holding my breath on Nylander’s contract getting done at all at any time this summer. So how far does Matthews want to go into the season now without a contract?"

"And If it is as close as everybody’s reporting and everybody that I’ve talked to says it’s a $13.5 AAV, then what is the term? I think for me the biggest decision right now, which I think Auston can’t decide on or they haven’t made a final decision is, is how many years will, what we believe is a $13.5 AAV, last?”

The first domino to fall, if I were to guess, would be William Nylander's new deal. 

The real problem with the Leafs' cap situation though is that former GM Kyle Dubas set the market by caving in to Mitch Marner and his demands back 2019. If the team sees Marner as an $11 million player then you can't blame Matthews for wanting $13.5 million. If anything, he'd be underpaid by those standards. Of course when the best player in the world, Connor McDavid, is making $12.5 million well... let's just say the market is a bit skewed in Toronto. What else is new? Have you look at the real estate market lately...