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What to expect from the Maple Leafs in 2018

By David Morassutti

MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 14: Head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs Mike Babcock watches his players against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on October 14, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 14: Head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs Mike Babcock watches his players against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on October 14, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
EDMONTON, AB – NOVEMBER 30: Auston Matthews /

Auston Matthews signs an eight-year extension

This one seems like a no-brainer but like other elite players in the league, Matthews is due for his eight-year deal. The real question will be how much that contract will cost the Leafs?

There is reason to believe that Matthews’ camp will ask for what Connor McDavid got from Edmonton which was a $12.5 million cap hit over eight years. The minimum that he will likely get is what Jack Eichel got from the Buffalo Sabres, which is a $10 million cap hit over eight years.

The benefit for the Leafs is they do not have big contracts coming off the books to deal with and only need to do with Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander.

It would be fair to assume that Matthews’ contract will run somewhere in the $11-12 million range which will not have a major effect on the team’s salary cap going forward. Everyone knows that Matthews will get his money, so really it is a matter of when not if he gets his big contract.

After scoring 40 goals last season, Matthews is following it up with a point-per-game this season and had he not missed time with a couple of injuries he would have surpassed his points total from last season.

It is not just the things he does on offence that makes Matthews a dominant player but his play without the puck is what makes him a player that every team would want.

Another possible prediction for Matthews is that he could be named the next captain of the team. Seeing how the team performs without him shows how vital he is to the success on the team and while he may not be the most vocal player he has shown that he can lead this team.

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